PHOTO: Canada Border Services gets ready for a crowded summer travel season. (Photo courtesy of Canada Border Services Agency/CBSA)
Ottawa starts a public consultation on a new set of travel rules that could change how people move through Canadian airports. The Canada Border Services Agency begins a 30-day review of a proposal that removes the long-standing requirement for some international passengers to report to border officers during a connection. The agency invites comments until December 29, 2025.
The plan aims to make travel easier for passengers who fly through Canada on their way to another country. The proposal appears in the Canada Gazette and outlines a system called “Free Flow International-to-International Transit.” This system lets eligible passengers move directly to their next flight without stopping for a border check.
How the Free Flow System Works
The Free Flow system already runs at several major airports. The CBSA says the current model works well and gives both safety and efficiency. Agency officials say the new rules “would continue to ensure a high level of security while providing travellers with a more efficient transit process.” The change forms part of the agency’s long-term plan to modernize travel and speed up busy airport routes.
The system allows travellers to stay within the secure area of the airport. Passengers do not enter Canada and do not pass through a regular border check. They must still carry proper documents for their final destination. The CBSA says these rules help protect airport safety while offering quicker connections for travellers.
Airlines Must Share More Information
The new rules ask air carriers to collect extra information from each passenger. The CBSA wants to know the traveller’s final destination and the date and time the person lands in Canada. The agency says this information helps confirm that passengers leave Canada as planned on their connecting flights.
Officials say the plan helps them focus their attention on higher-risk concerns. With more detailed data, they say they can move frontline officers to areas where the risk is greater rather than spending time on travellers who only pass through the country.
Part of a Wider Push to Cut Red Tape
The proposal forms part of a larger federal effort known as the Red Tape Review. Officials say the goal is to remove unnecessary steps that slow down travel. “These proposed regulatory changes enable the CBSA to make its processes more efficient and services more effective, while maintaining the strength and security of our borders,” the agency says.
The CBSA adds that the plan fits into a broader Traveller Modernization project. This project aims to shift staff and resources away from low-risk transit routes and into areas that need stronger checks. The agency says the new system supports that goal and uses modern tools to manage travel flows.
Pilot Sites Already Show Strong Use
The Free Flow system now operates at Montréal-Trudeau, Vancouver International, and Toronto Pearson Terminal 1. More than 737,000 travellers used the system in 2023. More than 744,000 used it in 2024. These numbers show steady growth and strong interest from travellers who want faster airport connections.
Officials say the early results support a permanent rule change. They expect more airports to adopt the system if the consultation ends with public support.
