Border Programs Get Review

Heightened security concerns are prompting Ottawa to rethink programs to help people in remote communities easily cross the border into Canada.

An internal Canada Border Services Agency review says three programs will be revamped at a significant cost to taxpayers.

The programs were established before 9-11.

They involve the pre-screening of people who cross the border into isolated areas of central and eastern Canada, mostly for leisure or access to cottages.

Usually people must swipe a card to cross and are videotaped.

But the federal evaluation says the programs raise a number of security concerns.