‍DALLAS — If you’ve ever stood in a long airport line, struggling to take off your shoes after you just put all of your stuff inside that scanner, you’re not alone. For years, it’s been a weird ritual we’ve all had to go through (even though it’s for our own safety), but now, things are changing, and for the better.

The U.S. just scrapped its rule that made everyone remove their shoes at security, and Canada says it’ll be updating its own policy to match.

Travelers heading to the U.S. from Canada might soon be keeping their shoes on at airport security, as Canada plans to follow a big policy change just made by the United States. Earlier this week, the TSA ended its long-time rule that made passengers remove their shoes at security checks, and Canada’s now working to align with that

TSA Finally Drops the Shoes-off Rule

Since 2006, anyone flying out of U.S. or Canadian airports has had to take their shoes off while going through security. It started after the attempted shoe bombing by Richard Reid in 2001, who tried to set off explosives hidden in his shoes on a flight from Paris to Miami.

But now, with newer and better screening tech, the TSA says it’s no longer needed. From July 8, 2025, it was implemented in the U.S. at some major airports that passengers don’t have to take their shoes off anymore at most checkpoints.

The Department of Homeland Security also said in an official statement, “Thanks to our cutting‑edge technological advancements and multi‑layered security approach, we are confident we can implement this change while maintaining the highest security standards.” 

Still, if something seems off, TSA officers can still ask someone to take them off for a closer look.

Canada Says It’ll Follow for U.S.-bound Flights

In Canada, most travellers don’t usually have to take their shoes off anyway, unless you’re randomly selected or flying to the U.S. through one of the preclearance airports. 

Because preclearance follows TSA rules, Canadians flying to the U.S. from cities like Toronto or Vancouver have had to do the same, including removing shoes. But now that the TSA has dropped the rule, Transport Canada said they’re working closely with U.S. officials to update screening on the Canadian side too.

No date’s been confirmed yet, but the change should roll out soon.

Airports Where This Will Matter

Here’s where the update will be seen the most, the major Canadian airports that have U.S. preclearance:

• Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
• Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
• Montréal–Trudeau International Airport (YUL)
• Calgary International Airport (YYC)
• Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport (YOW)
• Edmonton International Airport (YEG)
• Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ)
• Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport (YWG)
• Victoria International Airport (YYJ)

If you’ve flown from one of these airports to the U.S., you’ve probably taken off your shoes more than once. That part of the experience could finally be going away.

Security Stays Tight

Officials in both countries made it clear: even though the shoe rule’s going away, the safety standards aren’t. TSA and Canadian authorities say they’ll still screen thoroughly using new imaging systems and risk assessments. 

So yeah, things are becoming more convenient, but not more relaxed in terms of security.

Bottom line

The days of removing shoes at airport security may soon be over for Canadians flying to the U.S. The update is expected to make airport security faster and more comfortable for sure.

As both countries lean on better screening tech, this small but meaningful shift shows how international travel is gradually becoming less intrusive and more efficient, without letting safety take a backseat.

Stay tuned and keep following Airways. Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for the latest updates as well!