The Canadian government is moving to harmonize its passenger security screening with those used by the U.S. As a result, foreigners without the need for a visa to enter Canada will have to fill out an electronic form when purchasing their tickets.

Since January 2009, those who travel to the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program have been required to fill out an electronic version of the I-94W form once used for visitors from participating countries. The electronic program known as ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) allows U.S. authorities to pre-clear individuals for flight check-in, often in a matter of seconds. Now Canada has announced a border protection plan that involves similar measures for foreign air travelers not requiring a visa to enter Canada.

According to The Globe and Mail, "the Electronic Travel Authorization system pledged by [Prime Minister] Stephen Harper's new perimeter security agreement with the United States is part of a series of new advance checks, combined with more sharing of information with the U.S., that will provide new scrutiny on those entering North America." Similar to the U.S., the Canadian government will check passenger names against an interactive list before the passenger is allowed to board – a step currently taken only after the passenger is already in the air.

The U.S. has been seeking information sharing agreements with the EU and Canada in an effort to prevent unwanted individuals from entering the country by way of friendly nations. The EU signed a passenger data sharing agreement with the United States in November 2011 which still must be adopted by the European Council. Meanwhile, the Canadian government has agreed to create a new computer system with the U.S. that will allow each country to see data from the other.

The U.S. introduced ESTA as a free service in 2009 but as of 2010, travelers under the Visa Waiver Program who book tickets to the U.S. now pay a US$14 fee (approximately £9 10.45€). There is no word yet as to what, if anything, the Canadian government will charge for their version of the program.