• What is the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative and what does it mean for Canadians traveling the US?
• Do I need a passport to enter Canada?
• Do I need a passport if I am leaving Nova Scotia and flying into the United States?
• May I bring firearms or weapons into Canada?
• What do I need to bring a child across the border?
• What are the requirements for general visitors entering into Canada?
• Can I import food and/or agricultural products?
• Can I bring my pets into Canada?
• Can I bring alcohol or tobacco products into Canada?

The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) is a U.S. initiative that will require all travelers, including Canadians, to carry a valid passport or other appropriate secure document when traveling to the United States.

The WHTI will be implemented in two phases. The first phase applies to travel by air only and came into effect on January 23, 2007. The U.S. Departments of State and Homeland Security announced on June 12, 2007 that U.S. citizens traveling to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda who have applied for but not yet received passports can nevertheless temporarily enter and depart from the United States by air with a government issued photo identification and Department of State official proof of application for a passport through Sept ember 30, 2007.

Do I need a passport to enter Canada?
If you are a citizen or permanent resident of the U.S. you don’t need a passport or visa. It is advisable to carry evidence of citizenship i.e. Certificate of birth, certificate of naturalization, certificate of citizenship or state birth certificate. (Providing only a drivers license or social security card is not considered valid proof of citizenship). A drivers license may be combined with any of the above to establish identity. It is imperative that you have photo identification. Permanent residents of the U.S. who are not citizens should carry a resident alien card. You must have a valid passport if you are visiting Canada from another country other than the United States.

Visitors coming from certain countries will be required to present a visitor visa. It must be obtained at a visa office outside Canada. To know if you require a visa to enter Canada, contact the nearest Canadian Diplomatic Mission. For additional information visit the official government site.

All air travelers entering the United States must present a valid passport. This new requirement applies to all air travelers from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda, as well as American citizens returning home.

U.S. citizens traveling to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda who have applied for but not yet received passports can nevertheless temporarily enter and depart from the United States by air with a government issued photo identification and Department of State official proof of application for a passport through September 30, 2007.

For full details, please visit www.cic.gc.ca or call 1-888-242-2100. In the U.S. refer to www.travel.state.gov.

In Canada, it is against the law to bring firearms or other weapons such as butterfly knives, switchblades, mace or pepper spray into the country. You may bring a sporting rifle or a shotgun if you are using it for sporting, hunting, and/or competition use. There are strict specifications for non-restricted firearms. For more information call 1-800-731-4000 and ask for the form: "I am a gun user visiting Canada".

You should carry identification, similar to the above mentioned, for children of all ages. If you are travelling with a child that is not legally your own, you will need a letter of permission from the child’s parent or legal guardian. If you are sharing custody of the child, it is best to have copies of legal documents regarding custody rights.

Visitors to Canada must satisfy an immigration officer that:

• they intend to return to their home country and will not try to stay in Canada;
• they are in good health (some visitors may be asked to undergo a medical examination at their own expense);
• they do not have a criminal record or are a security risk; 
• they have sufficient funds to cover travel costs and support themselves in Canada.

If any of these criteria are not met, you may be denied admission to Canada.

Visiting Canada

You can import food products, animals and animal products (including meat), plants and plant products, and pesticides into Canada only if they meet specific import requirements before their arrival. These import requirements are designed to protect Canada's agricultural system by reducing the potential for introduction of foreign diseases and pests. For information on these requirements visit www.inspection.gc.ca.

Dogs and cats accompanying their owners from the U.S must have current (within 36 months) rabies vaccination certificates. It is advisable that you carry a health certificate and medical records with you. An exception is made for puppies/kittens that are younger than 3 months old but appear in good health. Seeing Eye dogs are allowed into Canada without restriction.

Importation of dogs

Visitors to Canada may bring certain goods as personal baggage, duty- and tax-free, provided all such items are declared to Customs on arrival and are not subject to restriction. Personal baggage may include up to 1.5 litres (52 oz.) of wine OR 1.14 litres (40 oz.) of liqueur OR 24 bottles/cans of beer or ale (355 ml each; 8.5 litres total). The legal age in most provinces, including Nova Scotia, is 19 years.

Visitors to Canada who are 18 years old and older can import, free of duties and taxes, 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, 200 grams of manufactured tobacco or 200 tobacco sticks.

Visitors can import, free of duties and taxes, gifts for residents of Canada (excluding alcohol or tobacco products), to a maximum value of $60.00 (Canadian) per gift.

See more on Canada Customs regulations.