Originally Posted by
majik
So the agent does physically swipe the PR card? Has that been the case for visa required PR card holders for years or just recently? Or were cards just physically inspected?
The idea that all PR card holders will now be heavily scruntinized almost defeats the purpose of the the whole new electronic entry/exit system. It seems like all they've done now is pass the burden on to the airlines.
I've been a PR holder for years, visa exempt, and have never been asked for my PR card by an airline, even with one-way itineraries to Canada. I've also entered Canada at airports with an expired PR card without even a glance from CBSA, they don't care, as we're legally entitled to enter regardless of PR card validity.
So if this all going to get worse for PR card holders generally, what's the point of the system?
Whether the card is swiped or not, the travel document number will be added to the passenger manifest and transmitted to the Canadian government. This is not "heavy scrutiny", it is the same as what a Canadian citizen must do: prove their eligibility to enter Canada without a visa or eTA, and have their travel documents scrutinized/recorded.
Now you need to show your PR card as proof of exemption from eTA, just as before you needed to show your passport as proof of visa exempt status. I don't understand what is worse here besides carrying an extra card in your wallet when you travel to Canada.