Embassy/Consulates Closure Notice
The US Embassy Ottawa and all US Consulates in Canada will be closed on Friday July 3, to observe Independence Day.

President Obama's 4th of July Message
Today, we are called upon to remember not only the day our country was born, but also the indomitable spirit of the first American citizens who made that day possible. We are called to remember how unlikely it was that our American experiment would succeed at all; that a small band of patriots would declare independence from a powerful empire; and that they would form, in the new world, what the old world had never known - a government of, by, and for the people. [more]

17 June 09
NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow
On June 17, 2009 the NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow made an unscheduled stop in St. John’s, NL. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) ship Henry B. Bigelow is the second of four new fisheries survey ships to be built by NOAA, representing a significant achievement in NOAA’s efforts to modernize its fleet of fisheries, oceanographic, and hydrographic survey ships. [more] [View Photo on FlickR] .

04 June 09
A New Beginning - Engaging the Muslim World President Obama's June 4 Speech in Cairo, Egypt
I am honored to be in the timeless city of Cairo, and to be hosted by two remarkable institutions. For over a thousand years, Al-Azhar has stood as a beacon of Islamic learning, and for over a century, Cairo University has been a source of Egypt’s advancement. Together, you represent the harmony between tradition and progress. I am grateful for your hospitality, and the hospitality of the people of Egypt. I am also proud to carry with me the goodwill of the American people, and a greeting of peace from Muslim communities in my country: assalaamu alaykum. [more] [fact sheet]

01 June 09
Consul General twitters about WHTI
On June 1, U.S. Consul General Harold Foster travelled to the Maine/New Brunswick border to see for himself how the first day of the new document requirements for land and sea travel went. Things went very smoothly all along the Maine border that day. He also toured the U.S. Port of Entry at Calais, ME, which will open this fall. You can find out more about how his trip went on Twitter at http://twitter.com/usconshalifax [View Photos on FlickR] .

29 May 09
Consul General Foster travelled to Truro, NS to address a group of high-school students from the Cobequid Educational Centre
On May 29th, Consul General Foster travelled to Truro, NS to address a group of high-school students from the Cobequid Educational Centre. Three of the students had sent letters asking questions about climate change, Cuba, and capital punishment. CG Foster decided to travel to Truro so he could answer their letters in person. [View Photos on FlickR] .

26 May 09
Visit by U.S. Speaker Marco Vicenzino
On May 25th the Consulate hosted Marco Vicenzino, the Founder and Director of the Global Strategy Project to talk about Afghanistan and development. [View Photos on FlickR] .

25 May 09
Memorial Day 2009
On U.S. Memorial Day, the U.S. Consul General and U.S. Navy Exchange Officers honored those who gave the ultimate sacrifice with a small ceremony on Deadman’s Island in Halifax. Historians have concluded that nearly 200 American Prisoners of the War of 1812 died while confined on Melville Island and are buried on Deadman’s Island. The ceremony was attended by members of the general public and the U.S. and Canadian military and honored American and Canadian armed forces personnel. [View Photos on FlickR] .

20 May 09
Collaborating across Borders Conference
U.S. Consul General, Harold Foster brought welcoming remarks to the Collaborating across Borders Conference organized by Dalhousie University. This conference brought together hundreds of healthcare educators from the United States and Canada to discuss how to improve healthcare education in both countries. [Photo] .

H1N1 Influenza (Flu)
The United States, Canada and Mexico continue to work together with international organizations in actively monitoring the H1N1 flu outbreak. For additional and latest information, please see the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website: www.cdc.gov [travel alerts][President Obama's remarks]

17-19 April 09
The Fifth Summit of the Americas was held in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago on April 17-19, 2009.
The theme of the Fifth Summit of the Americas, "Securing Our Citizens' Future by Promoting Human Prosperity, Energy Security and Environmental Sustainability" was developed in close consultation with member countries and partner institutions of the Summit Process.

Remarks by Secretary Clinton at Digital Town Hall of the Americas - View Video / Read Transcript

Obama Praises Constructive Talks at Summit of the Americas
Washington — President Obama said the United States entered the fifth Summit of the Americas in equal partnership with the nations of the Western Hemisphere based on mutual respect, common interests and shared values, and leaves after three days of constructive talks with what he called a good first step. [more]

[5th Summit website] [townhall.america.gov]

27 March 09
A New Strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan
"Good morning. Today, I am announcing a comprehensive, new strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan," began the President today. "This marks the conclusion of a careful policy review that I ordered as soon as I took office." The President stressed the perilous position we find ourselves in there, and the threat that would arise should safe havens on Pakistan go unchallenged or should the government in Afghanistan fall to the Taliban again. He also noted that 2008 was the deadliest year to date in that war.[more] [full remarks].

27 March 09
Summit of the Americas
Jeffrey Davidow, White House Advisor on the Summit of the Americas, was formerly U.S. Ambassador to Venezuela and Mexico. He discusses the U.S. agenda for the Fifth Summit of the Americas, to take place in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, April 17-19. [more].

20 January 09
Martin Luther King Jr. Day, 2009
On Tuesday, January the 20th the U.S. Consulate General in Atlantic Canada marked Martin Luther King Jr. Day and the occasion of the inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States by making a donation of books to Nelson Whynder Elementary School in Preston, Nova Scotia. Deputy Consul General Elizabeth Schwefler gave remarks and donated fifty books on African-American history and culture and a wall display on Rosa Parks to the library. The Halifax Consulate General also presented each student with an information booklet on Martin Luther King Jr. The children thanked her by performing a rap they wrote about what Barack Obama means to them. [View Slideshow].

22 December 08
Statement on AbitibiBowater
We are aware of media reports that the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador has taken action, including passing legislation, to take control of assets relating to AbitibiBowater’s operations in the province. We are currently in the process of collecting more information regarding the matter, and have been in contact with federal, provincial, and company officials. We are always concerned whenever U.S. companies operating overseas encounter difficulties, whether commercial or legal, and we are following closely the action that the provincial government appears to have taken in this case. [more] .

Web Chat with the Ambassador on December 11, 2008

U.S. Ambassador to Canada David H. Wilkins has devoted the last three and a half years to building up and enriching what he considers to be the best and most productive bilateral relationship in the world, that between Canada and the United States. As he prepares to leave the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa to return to his home in the United States, Ambassador Wilkins was pleased to participate in a web chat in order to answer questions and engage in discussion on Canada - U.S relations during his tenure as well as in terms of what he foresees for the future.

05 November 08
Barack Obama Elected 44th President of United States
Barack Obama, unknown to most Americans just four years ago, will become the 44th president and the first African-American president of the United States. Obama, a senator from Illinois, and his running mate Joe Biden will take the oath of office on January 20, 2009. [more] [america.gov blog].

4 November 08
Staff at the U.S. Consulate General in Halifax spent election day giving media interviews, speaking to students, and hosting a results watching reception at the Consul General’s residence. [View Slideshow].

27-28 October 08
Ambassador Wilkins New Brunswick Visit
Ambassador Wilkins visited New Brunswick (NB) in late October. During his visit he addressed students, faculty, and members of the general public at Mount Allison University in Sackville, NB; took a tour of the Moosehead brewery in Saint John, NB; and met with Premier Graham in Fredericton, NB. [View Slideshow] [Read Journal].

7-8 October 08
Ambassador Wilkins - “Farewell to Nova Scotia” visit.
On October 7th and 8th Ambassador Wilkins was in Halifax for what will likely be his “Farewell to Nova Scotia” visit.
[Speech] [View Slideshow]

American Citizen Services Available In St. John's, July 6-8, 2009
The U.S. Consulate General in Halifax is pleased to announce that a U.S. consular officer will be in St. John’s, Newfoundland from July 6-8, 2009 to provide consular services for American citizens. This special trip is organized to assist U.S. citizens residing in Newfoundland and Labrador who must usually travel to Halifax to apply for passports and Consular Reports of Birth Abroad. The U.S. Consul will be available to take applications for passports, birth registrations, preliminary citizenship determinations, voter registration, social security numbers (not benefits), and to provide notarial services. Fees are required for most services and will only be taken in the form of money orders made out in U.S. dollars. Applicants for all services must bring original supporting documents and one photocopy of each document.


To make an appointment or to inquire about fees, contact “American Citizen Services” at the U.S. Consulate General, located in Halifax, at 902-429-2480 ext. 2991. Please leave your name and telephone number and note that you are requesting an appointment in Newfoundland. We will confirm your appointment by telephone as soon as possible. Services will be offered by advance appointment only—information on location of services will be given out when appointment is booked.

Follow the U.S. Consulate General Halifax on Twitter

The United States Consulate General in Halifax is now on Twitter. Follow the Twitter feeds at http://twitter.com/usconshalifax.
Click here, for more information on Twitter.

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Under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), for entry into the United States at land or sea borders, as of January 31, 2008:
- Oral declarations of citizenship alone will no longer be accepted;
- U.S. and Canadian citizens ages 19 and older will need to present a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, along with proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate or naturalization certificate;
- Children ages 18 and under will only be required to present proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate;
- Passports and trusted traveler program cards - NEXUS, FAST, and SENTRI - will continue to be accepted for cross-border travel. All existing nonimmigrant visa and passport requirements will remain in effect and will not be altered by this change. A passport has been required for air travel since January 23, 2007. [read more on WHTI]
NEW. Entry requirements at land or sea borders in effect June 1, 2009:
Washington -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the U.S. Department of State (DOS) announced today the final rule for the land and sea portion of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), a core 9/11 Commission recommendation. The WHTI final rule requires travelers to present a passport or other approved secure document denoting citizenship and identity for all land and sea travel into the United States. WHTI establishes document requirements for travelers entering the United States who were previously exempt, including citizens of the U.S., Canada and Bermuda. These document requirements will be effective June 1, 2009 [Press Release] [FAQs] .

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