Image courtesy of Brussels Airlines Facebook page

Effective immediately, Canadians can now print their own baggage tags for checked luggage before heading to the airport.

The new "e-Tag" initiative was introduced by The Honourable Minister Garneau during a Facebook Live event earlier this week.

"Yesterday's online consultation and new self-tagging options for Canadians demonstrates the department's commitment to making the best use of technology and changing how we think about travel,” said Garneau. “With e-tagging, Canadians and their families can check-in faster so that they spend less time in line and more time enjoying the travel experience."

Passengers now have two options. They can print their bag tag from a personal device during online check-in and place it in a reusable holder, which is attached to the bag. Or, they can opt to use a reusable plastic bag tag with an electronic ink screen (similar to e-reader technology) provided by the airline. The tag will be connected by wireless technology so it automatically updates the passenger’s destination information.

The e-tagging options are available immediately for all flights departing a Canadian airport..

"Air travelers want the ability to do more things for themselves and to take more control over the travel process,” said Tony Tyler, Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the International Air Transport Association (IATA). “By approving this baggage self-tagging initiative, Transport Canada is enabling airlines to respond to that need. Canada is among the leaders in this area. It's a great example for others to learn from."

Expanded Pre-Clearance

In other transportation news, the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, has introduced legislation in the House of Commons that will expand Canada’s preclearance agreement with the United States.

"Today, the Government of Canada demonstrated its commitment to strengthening its relationship with the United States and to ensuring a more efficient and secure border, by introducing the legislation required to implement the Canada–U.S. Preclearance Agreement,” said Goodale. “When it takes effect, the Agreement will provide the legal framework that will enable the expansion of preclearance operations in all modes of transportation – land, rail, marine and air – including the locations announced by Prime Minister Trudeau and President Obama in March 2016."

Recently, during Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s official visit to Washington, D.C., Trudeau and President Obama agreed to expand preclearance in a number of new Canadian locations, including Quebec's Jean Lesage International Airport, Toronto's Billy Bishop City Airport, Montreal Central Station and for passengers of the Rocky Mountaineer.

"This legislation is an important step towards ensuring the efficient flow of people and goods between our two countries in all transportation modes,” said Garneau. “We are pleased to build on our long history of successful preclearance operations by introducing a bill that, when passed, will enable us to ratify the new agreement on preclearance."