Gov. Chris Gregoire hopes a successful test of the technology will persuade the government not to require passports for all border crossings starting in the summer of 2009.
The governor and B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell are trying to streamline the process for border crossings ahead of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver and Whistler.
Gov. Gregoire offered the proposal to the Department of Homeland Security for a 90-day test of hand-held wireless scanners to be used by U.S. border agents at the Blaine and Port Angeles crossings.
The devices can scan the bar code on the back of U.S. and Canadian licences to check for fakes and to see whether the driver's name is on security watch lists in either country.
The scanners cost $10,000 (U.S.) each and already are being used at some military installations.
After June 1, 2009, Americans returning to the U.S. after short visits to Canada and Mexico will be required to show passports or other high-tech ID cards. Currently, a driver's licence usually suffices.
“That's cumbersome and a passport currently costs $90,” said Gigi Zenk, spokeswoman for the Washington Department of Licensing. “Only about 23 per cent of Americans own a passport and only 10 per cent of those actually leave the country.”
Gov. Gregoire is looking for an alternative that would provide security while not requiring passports or long delays at the crossings.
Washington and British Columbia “have a long history of friendship and our citizens are accustomed to great flexibility when travelling across our shared border,” she said.
British Columbia supports the trial and is eyeing its own project, probably using the same technology, Ms. Zenk said.
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