We should have implemented this years ago, since the US did it on us. But it should only be required to countries with equivalent programs. This is "de facto" a visa and visa-free travel is quickly dieing out. Soon many other countries will introduce the same procedures..
ESTA (the American one) is even stricter than a visa on arrival, as without it you can't even board the plane. We should call it what it is, it's a visa, sure an e-visa, but a visa nonetheless.