2006/05/29 (2)
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. v
The City of Niagara Falls, Ontario
Council Chambers
No.6 May 29, 2006
Moved by Alderman Morocco
Seconded by Alderman Kerrio
WHEREAS Section 7209 of the U.S. Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of
December 17, 2004 called on the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary
of State, to develop and implement a plan to require a passport or other document or combination
of documents deemed to be sufficient to denote identity and citizenship for all travel into the United
States by U.S. citizens and categories of individuals for whom documentation requirements have
previously been waived; and
WHEREAS the plan, known as the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), will require all
persons entering the United States to show identification that indicates identity and citizenship; and
WHEREAS the only form of identification acceptable under the WHTI is a passport: and
WHEREAS research has demonstrated that a passport requirement is likely to reduce travel demand
between Canada and United States to the detriment of both countries' tourist industries and
economies; and
WHEREAS an alternative, cheaper and more portable form of secure identification will have a
substantially smaller result in curtailing travel demand than a passport requirement; and
WHEREAS the U.S. Senate on May 19th voted to change the Western Hemisphere Travel
Initiative's implementation date to June 1, 2009 providing more time to develop an alternative form
of identification to the passport.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Niagara Falls City Council advise all parties currently
engaged in working on matters related to the WHTI that it is deeply concerned about the risk to the
economic health of Niagara Falls; and
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FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that in light of the extension in the implementation date of the
WHTI that an alternative document to the passport that is secure (including biometrics), provides
proof of identity and citizenship, is in a convenient format (wallet-sized), and is inexpensive and
easily obtainable be developed to the satisfaction of both Canadian and American federal
government; and
FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that Niagara Falls City Council supports the position being
expressed by the Binational Tourism Alliance and BESTT Coalition partners requesting amendments
to the existing legislation that include (I) a single WHTI implementation date for all forms oftravel;
(ii) an exemption for children; (iii) further development of alternative travel documents, including
REAL ID, by a bi-national industry working committee; (iv) the expansion and improvements to
existing "trusted traveler" programs, such as NEXUS and FAST, including the expedited
implementation of supporting technology and infrastructure; (v) the undertaking of a broad and
ongoing communications program clarifying the travel documents currently available and required
and encouraging the public to acquire the required travel documents; and (vi) improved training for
all border services personnel to ensure consistent customer service as it relates to identification
requirements at border crossings; and
FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the President ofthe
United States, Senior Officials at Department of Homeland Security, Department of State, Office
of Management & Budget, Government Accountability Office, U.S. Ambassador to Canada,
appropriate U.S. Senators, Congressmen and National Tourism and Business Industry Officials, to
ensure they are aware ofthe Niagara Palls concerns and position respecting the implementation of
Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative; and
FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that a copy ofthis resolution be forwarded to the Prime Minister
of Canada, the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, the Minister of Foreign
Affairs, the Speaker of the House, Members of Parliament and the Canadian Ambassador to the
United States; and
FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Premier of
Ontario, the states bordering Ontario, Ontario Minister of Tourism, Chairman of! Love New York,
the Travel Industry Association of Canada (TIAC), the Travel Industry Association of America
(TIA), the Canadian Tourism Commission, the Tourism Federation of Ontario, the New York State
Hospitality & Tourism Association, Hospitality and Tourism Associations of states bordering
Ontario, Business for Economic Security Trade and Tourism Coalition (BESTT), the Great Lakes
Governors and Great Lakes Mayors.
AND The Seal of the Corporation be hereto affixed.
D~~/l ?r(:iJi~
R. T. (TED) SALCI
CITY CLERK MAYOR