Last year a new American law affecting travellers, The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), came into effect. This U.S. law requires all travellers, including Canadians, to carry a valid passport or other appropriate secure document when travelling to the United States from within the western hemisphere.

After intense pressure from the Government of Canada, the United States has now delayed the implementation of passport requirements for travel by land and sea until at least June 1 2009.

While the government's efforts have produced results, we continue to encourage all Canadians to get a passport if they plan to travel to the United States.

To assist Canadians, Passport Canada has implemented several measures to reduce wait times, including extended hours at both Calgary offices. The downtown office, located in the Harry Hays Building, Suite 254, 220-4th Avenue SE and the south Calgary office, located at 14331 Macleod Trail SW are now open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.