Acting on a pledge made by the Harper government in April, 2012, the Canada Border Services Agency has expanded the Automated Border Clearance (ABC) Program once again, opening its first kiosks at Pearson International Airport’s Terminal 3 with plans to further widen the program to the larger Terminal 1 by month’s end. 

ABC uses self-service kiosk technology to safely and efficiently expedite the processing of Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada returning to Canada.  The innovative kiosks debuted last year in Montreal and Vancouver.

“By accelerating the processing of Canadian travelers returning home, the Automated Border Clearance (ABC) Program helps to shorten wait times and improves the travel experience for international visitors,” said David Goldstein, TIAC President and CEO.  “I used the ABC kiosks recently at Trudeau Airport in Montreal and I found it to be a great experience.”

“Canada’s tourism industry looks forward to the continued expansion of the ABC program to major international air hubs in Ottawa, Calgary, Edmonton and beyond.”

"We worked very closely with the CBSA to bring this technology to Toronto to give Canadians and permanent residents a self-serve option for expediting the customs process that we know will contribute to an overall positive experience at Toronto Pearson," said Pamela Griffith-Jones, Vice-President of Guest and Terminal Services for the Greater Toronto Airports Authority.

"ABC technology is a secure and innovative service which demonstrates our Government's approach to smarter border management and making travel easier for Canadians," said Minister of State Bal Gosal. "Thanks to the close partnership between the GTAA and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), Canadian citizens and permanent residents now have a convenient new option to clear the border at Toronto Pearson."