I cannot blame them. It is really too bad. I remember the days were to travel between the US and Canada only required some kind of ID. There were many times I was just waved through, no stopping. Most of the time I was asked for my name and then let through. After 2001 you needed a special ID and now it is a PITA. I wonder how long before an official VISA is needed. So much for the longest unprotected border in the w…
IIRC the additional id requirement was introduced in 2007 (air) and 2009 (land).
1. https://www.canada.ca/en/news/archive/2006/11/new-american-l...
2. https://www.canada.ca/en/news/archive/2009/06/are-you-canadi...
One should note that the restrictions survived different US and Canadian administrations (there is a reciprocal requirement on Americans entering Canada) so it's not really a partisan issue it would appear.
The border is still pretty much unprotected.
My position is that Canada and the US should have an open border and an EU-like economic zone but I think the majority of Canadians and Americans don't want that or clearly it's not an important enough issue for them. Overall it's still a reasonably easy border to cross for both compared to most world borders and for many professions TN status also lets people live and work across the border.
As a Canadian emotions are running pretty hot these days. I think we should try and keep that under control. Don't get angry over what is essentially a business arrangement. People are still the same people under different administrations for good and bad. If you're feeling angry try and remember someone is trying to get you to be angry.