it takes 2 weeks to get a canadian passport, and $80 to get a canadian passport. With more money you can get it faster... This is hardly some terrible burden, and guess what, after you get your canadian passport you can travel to the rest of the visa waived countries too! Its a good idea to have a passport, regardless, now it might mean a bit of hassle for people who live right on the border as they'll have to carry around a passport, but they can fit in a pocket rather easily, and they'll adjust.