U.S. Consulate Closure Notice
Please be advised that the U.S. Consulate General Toronto will be closed on Thursday November 27, to observe the U.S. Thanksgiving Day.

24 November 08
Farewell Remarks by Ambassador David H. Wilkins at the Toronto Economic Club.

13 November 08
Consul General Toronto John R. Nay presented books to the F.W. Begley School in Windsor, Ontario.
On November 13, U.S. Consul General Toronto John R. Nay presented a collection of primary and middle school books to the F.W. Begley School in Windsor, Ontario. Portions of the collection, which includes more than 250 titles that highlight American history, multiculturalism, and aspects of shared Canadian and U.S. history such as the Underground Railroad, will be made available to schools throughout the Essex-Windsor School Board area. In his remarks, C.G. Nay stated that the idea of spreading the message of freedom and human rights values through literature dates back decades. A notable example was the American library in Soweto, South Africa, which brought literature and educational materials to young people living under a government intent on keeping them illiterate. Now, many U.S. Embassies and Consulates around the world participate in similar public outreach programs to contribute to mutual understanding between our peoples. [Slideshow].

05 November 08
Barack Obama Elected 44th President of United States
Barack Obama, unknown to most Americans just four years ago, will become the 44th president and the first African-American president of the United States. Obama, a senator from Illinois, and his running mate Joe Biden will take the oath of office on January 20, 2009. [more] [america.gov blog].

5 November 08
Ambassador David Wilkins Congratulatory Remarks on the Election Results [More].

05 November 08
The Victory and Concession Speeches
To read President Elect - Barack Obama's Victory Speech -
Click Here.
To read Senator John McCain's Concession Speech -
Click Here.

05 November 08
President Bush Discusses Presidential Election
THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. Last night, I had a warm conversation with President-elect Barack Obama. I congratulated him and Senator Biden on their impressive victory. I told the President-elect he can count on complete cooperation from my administration as he makes the transition to the White House. [more].

05 November 08
Secretary Condoleezza Rice - Remarks on the Outcome of the Elections
SECRETARY RICE: Good morning. I asked Sean if I could open this briefing, and he said yes, that I could do that. I’m getting ready to leave for the Middle East, but I did not want this morning to pass without taking note of the extraordinary election last night. This was an exercise in American democracy, of which Americans across the political spectrum are justifiably proud. [more].

October 08
Dropping The Ceremonial Puck at an Ontario Hockey League Game
Woodstock Mayor Michael Harding, U.S. Consul General John R. Nay, John Goodbun General Manager of RBC Dominion Securities and Megan Porter, Owner/Operator of Boston Pizza Woodstock drop the ceremonial puck at the Ontario Hockey League game between the Saginaw Spirit and the Niagara Ice Dogs. The Captains are Alex Friesen of Niagara in white and Chris Chappell of Saginaw in red. Photo was taken by Judy Nay. [Photo].

29 September 08
The Thousand Islands...Not Just Salad Dressing
Ambassador Wilkins traveled to the “Capital Corridor” Thousand Islands Bridge Authority facilities on September 29 to commemorate the 70th Anniversary Celebration of the bridge. The Capital Corridor, which includes bridges and highways linking Ottawa and Washington, is a truly splendid example of the close cooperation between United States and Canada. The Thousand Islands Bridge crosses the St. Lawrence River and is a strategic gateway between United States and Canada. It facilitates land and water transportation to both American and Canadian ports. During his visit, the Ambassador highlighted the important role that the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTE), which will be fully implemented in June 2009, plays as it enhances border security and facilitates border crossings.
[Slideshow].

23 September 08
Ambassador David Wilkins - I was honored to have the opportunity to deliver the keynote address at the Fifth Annual Presidents Dinner at the Oakville Chamber of Commerce on September 23. [more].

1 August 08
U.S. Consul General John R. Nay addressed the gala reception at the Emancipation Day Celebration. Windsor, Ontario.


[Read Full Remarks].

25 July 08
Transportation Alternative - Noah Budnick
Noah Budnick visited Toronto to meet with Bicycle stakeholders and planners and exchange ideas on alternative transport. He spoke on “What’s New in New York” to a gathering of bicycle enthusiast and participated in the “Tour de Toronto”, sponsored by the City of Toronto’s Cycling Advisory Committee.

As Transportation Alternatives (T.A.) Deputy Director, Noah Budnick oversees and coordinates T.A.’s advocacy and media campaigns to improve and increase walking and biking in New York City. Mr. Budnick is T.A.’s senior advocate and has worked with scores of New York City community organizations and elected and government officials to make walking and cycling safer and easier in New York City. [read more/photos] [podcast].

07 July 08
Welcome Remarks by U.S. Consul General John R. Nay to the South Carolina Mission to Canada - Royal York Hotel.

[Read Full Remarks].

25 June 08
Remarks by U.S. Consul General John R. Nay
Consul General John R. Nay welcomes guests to the 232nd Anniversary of the Independence of the United States and the commemoration of the 200th Anniversary of the U.S. Abolition of the Slave Trade Act, June 25, 2008.
[Read Full Remarks].

18 June 08
U.S. Consul General John R. Nay joined the Hon. Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transportation, Infrastructure and Communities; Hon. Stockwell Day, Minister of Public Safety; and Jeffrey Watson, Member of Parliament for Essex-Windsor for the Canadian announcement of the technically preferred location of the plaza and the bridge for the new border crossing bridge between Windsor and Detroit on June 18, 2008. Consul General Nay stated that "the United States, like Canada, supports projects such as the Detroit River International Crossing (DRIC) to improve infrastructure in the corridor and make sure that there is the capacity to handle increased trade and traffic"
[Read Full Remarks].

10 June 08 At a Rotary Luncheon in Niagara Falls, Ontario, the International Joint Commission and the Niagara 10 Leaders announced preliminary details for plans for the Niagara Falls region to host the centennial celebration of the Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909 on Saturday June 13, 2009. The region is designating 2009 as the "Year of Our Shared Waters" and has numerous activites planned to comemorate this important environmental agreement. [Click for More].

01 June 08
Becel Heart & Stroke Bike Ride.
A team from the U.S. Consulate in Toronto once again participated in the Becel Heart & Stroke Ride for Heart on the Gardiner Expressway and Don Valley Parkway on June 1. The Consulate team joined more than 12,000 bicycle riders who raised over $ 3 million to help the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario support research on stroke drugs and surgical techniques, as well as fund 100 scientific studies and science grants.
[Photo Slideshow].

21 May 08
Day of Solidarity with the Cuban People
On May 21, the President of the United States will host an event in support of a "Day of Solidarity with the Cuban People" to focus on the plight of prisoners of conscience and the lack of civil and political freedoms in Cuba. This date coincides with a period when Cubans all over the island commemorate Cuban patriots who have suffered at the hands of the regime for the cause of freedom and human rights. The people of Cuba need to know that they have world-wide solidarity and support for their efforts to achieve genuine political and economic change in Cuba. For more information, visit http://www.solidaridadcuba.org/.
Related:
- A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America
- President Bush Discusses Cuba, Marks Day of Solidarity
- "The Castros' island prison" by Ambassador Wilkins - as it appeared in The National Post, 21 May 2008.

15 May 08
During the War of 1812, two U.S. Navy schooners, the Hamilton and Scourge, sank in Lake Ontario off the coast of St. Catharines with more than 50 U.S. Navy sailors and service personnel aboard. The vessels were discovered in the late 1970s and ownership of the vessels was transferred from the U.S. Navy to the Royal Ontario Museum and later to the City of Hamilton as part of the Hamilton and Scourge National Historic Site. In partnership with many entities, the city sent down Remote Operating Vehicles to assess the condition of the underwater site. To conclude the week of inspection, U.S. Consul General John R. Nay spoke at a memorial service held aboard the CCGS Griffon to commemorate the lost crew. For a slide show of the ceremony, click here, for the Consul General’s remarks, click here.

13 May 08
Ambassador David Wilkins made a visit to the beautiful Northern Ontario city of Greater Sudbury as it celebrates its 125th anniversary. His trip included visits to Science North and Dynamic Earth. At lunch he spoke to over 200 participants in Sudbury’s annual Mining Week and while in town raised a new United States Flag on Sudbury’s Bridge of Nations. [View slideshow] [Read his Journal]

13 May 08
In connection with Ambassador Wilkins’ visit to Sudbury, U.S. Consul General John R. Nay spoke at the Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce’s Eleventh Annual Business Excellence Awards. More than 400 people gathered at the Caruso club to honor ten local companies for their outstanding achievements.

22 April 08
In celebration of Earth Day 2008, the Battle Creek Academy Band, from Battle Creek, Michigan, has taken Toronto by musical storm. Noting that these were the first international performances by the group, Battle Creek Academy alumnus Consul General John R. Nay introduced the band and spoke of the importance of Earth Day. In a display of cross-border friendship, the 54 high school students played for hundreds at the Toronto Zoo's Earth Day commemoration, performed a pre-game show when the Detroit Tigers faced the Toronto Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre, and entertained the students at Toronto's Carleton Village Public School. For a slide show of the visit, click here.

17 April 08
The U.S. Consulate and the Centre for the Study of the United States at the University of Toronto sponsored a discussion on "Competing visions of America: the race to be the next U.S. President" with former U.S. Ambassadors to Canada Paul Cellucci and James Blanchard. The two Ambassadors also spoke about the upcoming U.S. presidential election at a meeting of the Empire Club of Canada moderated by the Globe and Mail’s Washington Correspondent John Ibbitson.

10 April 08

The U.S. Mission to Canada is pleased to announce the newest Virtual Presence Post - Southwest Ontario Gateway.

See the Consul General's biography and public remarks

Barack Obama Wins Historic Election Victory Barack Obama on the Issues Read the personal story of America's next leader, Barack Obama Send a Message of Congratulations

Under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), for entry into the United States at land or sea borders, as of January 31, 2008:
- Oral declarations of citizenship alone will no longer be accepted;
- U.S. and Canadian citizens ages 19 and older will need to present a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, along with proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate or naturalization certificate;
- Children ages 18 and under will only be required to present proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate;
- Passports and trusted traveler program cards - NEXUS, FAST, and SENTRI - will continue to be accepted for cross-border travel. All existing nonimmigrant visa and passport requirements will remain in effect and will not be altered by this change. A passport has been required for air travel since January 23, 2007. [read more on WHTI]
NEW. Entry requirements at land or sea borders in effect June 1, 2009:
Washington -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the U.S. Department of State (DOS) announced today the final rule for the land and sea portion of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), a core 9/11 Commission recommendation. The WHTI final rule requires travelers to present a passport or other approved secure document denoting citizenship and identity for all land and sea travel into the United States. WHTI establishes document requirements for travelers entering the United States who were previously exempt, including citizens of the U.S., Canada and Bermuda. These document requirements will be effective June 1, 2009 [Press Release] [FAQs] .

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) jointly operate the NEXUS trusted traveler program. To learn more about NEXUS, enroll in the program online or renew an expiring NEXUS card, click here.

Department of Homeland Security
Traveler Redress Inquiry Program
Travelers can now resolve possible watch list misidentification and travel screening problems with any of the department’s component agencies with DHS TRIP, an easy to use web site.

Sixty Years: Celebrating the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. An eJournal from the Department of State, November 2008.
This issue of eJournal USA celebrates the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It explores the document’s origins, sites it within humanity’s common intellectual heritage, and explains how it has bettered the lives of individuals in every corner of the globe.
Click here for earlier editions of eJournal.

Help stop terrorism through the U.S. Government's Rewards for Justice Program.

Interested in Studying in the USA?

The flagship international educational program sponsored by the United States Government, the Fulbright Program is designed to "increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries..." The Canada-U.S. Fulbright Program provides grants for Canadian and American students and scholars to lecture, research and pursue graduate study in the United States and Canada, respectively (other nationals are advised to consult the Fulbright Commission in their country for grant opportunities). For more information, visit www.fulbright.ca.   Fulbright Commissions in other countries.

The Consulate is a proud co-sponsor of the Transborder Research University Network, supporting cooperation among research universities in the cross-border region of Ontario and New York. For more information visit www.trun.ca.

Effective June 1, 2008 all applicants for U.S. Passports and Consular Reports of Birth Abroad will be seen by appointment only. More details

Security Notice to all Consular Visitors.

Are you an American citizen travelling or residing in Canada? Please register

Employment and Student Internship Opportunities at the U.S. Consulate Toronto

17 January 2008 Travel Alert - Worldwide Caution
This Worldwide Caution updates information on the continuing threat of terrorist actions and violence against Americans and interests throughout the world. American citizens are reminded to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness. [Full text.]

1 February 08
Consular Warden Message - Increases to U.S. Passport Fees and New Parental Signature Requirements for U.S. Minors. [Full Text]

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