Government Operations committee  We have been working on this for several years, since the beginning of 2002. After September 11, 2001, the then Minister of Foreign Affairs contacted all his provincial counterparts and discussions got underway on identity. That is really our concern: How do we identify Canadians?

Government Operations committee  Of course, and we agree.

Government Operations committee  Yes.

Government Operations committee  Yes. There is a NEXUS land. I can't speak to how that is going to be rolled out across the country, but it does exist.

Government Operations committee  It's been outside of our jurisdiction. It is a Canada Border Services Agency program for pre-approved travellers who can register and go through a background check. Once admitted to the NEXUS program, you're cleared, in fact, by both Canada and the U.S. border agencies. It does allow for the use of the NEXUS card as a travel document.

Government Operations committee  Passport Canada is going to receive the revenue from 3.5 million passports, because that's approximately what we'll issue this year, perhaps 3.6 million. Whether we have one office, 30 offices, or 300 offices, we are going to receive the revenue from 3.5 million passports. What we do every year, and several times a year, is re-evaluate our service delivery network to determine that we can deliver the best service we can within the financial envelope that we have--and that envelope is 3.5 million passports times $62.

Government Operations committee  Absolutely. We receive statistics regarding this from Statistics Canada. Statistics Canada can give us the number of trips made by Canadians to the United States. As for the rest, it takes some calculation. As I just said, given the fact that 43% of the population has a passport, about 70% of Canadians who cross the land border have some kind of document.

Government Operations committee  It is a part of the process. This is one of the reasons why a guarantor is required, or a third person to confirm the applicant's identity. Our officers are trained to verify documents. This is why we always require an original copy of the birth certificate or the certificate of citizenship.

Government Operations committee  I think it's important to remember that when we were at 43% being passport holders, nearly 70% of Canadians who crossed the land border had a passport. Over 80% of Canadians who travelled had a passport. The percentage of passport holders doesn't necessarily reflect the percentage of Canadians who travel.

Government Operations committee  Many don't travel. That's what our surveys and our work with the Conference Board have shown us.

Government Operations committee  I'm sorry, I really have very little information about Mexico.

Government Operations committee  I'll avoid commenting on that, but citizens of Mexico need a visa to go to the United States as well. Unlike the visa-free travel that Canadians enjoy—passport-free travel, apart from air—it's a considerably different situation with Mexico.

Government Operations committee  I believe we'll be approaching 46% or 47%.

Government Operations committee  It will continue to get higher.

Government Operations committee  Yes, absolutely.