Ottawa’s budget watchdog said a program that lets pre-screened, low-risk Canadians use the express security lane at Canadian airports would cost about $7 million over five years, assuming the government charges $50 per pass. It’s difficult to predict what the uptake would be though, the Parliamentary Budget Office said. (The Logic)

Talking point: Most Canadians flying within their own country need a Nexus card to access the faster trusted-traveller line at airport security, even though the program was designed for cross-border travel and is administered in collaboration with the United States. Alberta Senator Paula Simons tabled a motion in September asking the government to explore a domestic program exclusively for travel inside the country. Simons said the PBO estimate suggests cost shouldn’t be a barrier, especially if the government could break even by increasing the cost slightly. For comparison, a Nexus card costs US$120.