AFAIK, all NEXUS cards issued/renewed since around 2010 have required the full fingerprint array.

Well, think of it this way - does CATSA really NEED something like PreCheck? A big thing about PreCheck is not needing to either 1) go through a naked death ray or 2) opt out and get patted down every time. Other than that, its fairly easy stuff like taking your laptop out (though, taking it out of the sleeve in Canada is annoying) and your freedom baggie out.

If you are driving over the border, sure. If you are flying, you need your passport. Actually, I think its more accurate to say you need it to get back into Canada, without risking the loss of your NEXUS card.

I cross the land border at least 3 times a week. I have never been asked for my passport. You do not require your passport, as long as your current passport information is up to date on your NEXUS profile.

Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)

For Canadian and U.S. citizens, NEXUS membership cards also fulfill the travel document requirements of the U.S. WHTI. A NEXUS membership card may be used as an alternative to a passport when entering the United States:

by air when used at kiosks at designated airports; and
at all land and marine ports of entry.

For detailed information on the U.S. WHTI, visit the CBSA and Homeland Security Web Site.

Land border is likely different, this was transborder at YVR. He asked for the passport, so I presented it.

I don't have all morning to spend lounging about in secondary.

Bottom line: I used GE, presented my Nexus card, receipt and boarding pass to the officer and he specifically asked for my passport.

You don't need it at the land border into Canada or the US.

That person was being an idiot. Also, look at the post you quoted - its clear that a NEXUS card is a WHTI compliant document. This is one area where the US is better about things than Canada.

As I've said, this was CBP @ YVR transborder not CBSA. CBSA has never asked for my passport.

CBP officer: "Let me see your passport."
Traveller: "You're an idiot."

Try that the next time and let me know how it goes for you :)

Even though I had Nexus receipt in my hand, CBSA specifically asked for my passport when arriving by air from USA to YVR.

I have yet to transit in YVR when the Nexus line is open, it is pretty bad.

In this situation, the Nexus kiosks were presumably in their usual broken state and you had to interact with an officer?

You absolutely need one when travelling by air. I'd thought I lost my passport last year and attempted to transit at YYZ with just my Nexus. Passed the terminal, got my clearance, and waiting for the agent to clear me. He asked for my card, and then asked for my passport.

I told him I didn't have it on me, as I was using my NEXUS card - he stated that you must travel at all times with it, as immigration can ask to see it any time. He (correctly) reminded me that during my interview I was told that it must be on-hand as well.

Suffice to say, I was denied transit, and had to go back through Canadian immigration. Of course, there I just used my NEXUS and walked back into Canada, since they don't even both with an agent.

Yes, land is different, and much easier - try using an Ontario EDL at the airport ;)

From the FAQ:

•Failure to carry or produce any additional identification documents that may be required for entry into Canada or the U.S., i.e. passport, work or study permit, permanent residency card, etc.;

Glad to hear they did not process a revocation of your nexus membership. For sure bring my passport by Air especially I got Big X sometime in my receipt.

I flew out of YVR last month and the NEXUS lane was open at the Trans Border checkpoint. I was through security and customs in <2 minutes. When I left this summer it was open and it took me <10 minutes to do the whole song and dance. What times are you seeing it closed?

Last time I left YVR, I couldn't board my flight until the AS agent verified my passport. We both laughed about the absurdity of that because I was already "in" the US. FWIW, the CBP guy looked at my passport and GE receipt.

Lots of confusion on this thread.

What people are commenting on being 'closed' is the Nexus 'Express Lane' at CATSA YVR transborder security, after bag drop and prior to the CBP checkpoint. I've personally never seen this lane closed, but I'm always flying out of YVR in the morning.

I've never seen Global Entry closed at YVR transborder (although last week the printer was out of paper, so I didn't get a receipt which led to much typing on behalf of the good-natured CBP officer). Nexus machines are often out of order, but I rarely use them - I use GE.

WRT the Nexus Machines in the CBSA arrival hall at YVR: As has been said elsewhere in this thread, they're pretty much always out of order these days, so you can consider them 'closed.'

Absolutely; I was worried at first, but when he started to pressure me I just identified that I would terminate my entry to the US, and I walked out the "To Canada" door. He could certainly have sent me to Secondary Screening (been there, pre-NEXUS) and taken my card.