Temporary Service Changes at select POEs
Date: May 13, 2020
Classification: Unclassified
Fully releasable (ATIP)? Yes
Branch / Agency: SPB/CBSA
Issue: Update on temporary service changes at select ports of entry (POEs).
Proposed Response:
- To support recent efforts made to contain the spread of
COVID-19, both the CBSA and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection have taken steps to temporarily reduce service hours at some land ports of entry.
- Further to this, I have now authorized the temporary suspension of service at several small air and marine reporting sites.
- To preserve its workforce capacity as a result of COVID-19, the CBSA has reduced hours at 27 land ports of entry and temporarily suspended service at 476 small air or marine reporting locations. This will also allow for officers to be redistributed to higher priority areas.
- At many small air and marine service points, the CBSA processes private air travellers and private boaters remotely via a Telephone Reporting Centre. This practice is counter to this Government’s current objective to have all inbound travellers assessed for symptoms of COVID-19.
- The selected reporting locations are primarily marinas and private airports which support recreational boating, fishing, and hunting, as well as travel to seasonal properties. These activities are currently deemed discretionary and restricted from cross-border travel.
- To determine which POEs would be suitable for temporary service changes, the CBSA undertook extensive analysis and consultation with the US. Key criteria included an assessment of potential impacts on:
- critical infrastructure support;
- health, safety, and security;
- Indigenous communities; and
- essential travel and commercial processing.
- POE service changes are a regular outcome of the CBSA’s ongoing assessment of its operations.
Background:
The Canada-US border has seen a number of enhanced border measures at land Ports of Entry (POEs) take effect since March 21, 2020. A reduction in hours of service at 27 Canadian POEs also came into effect at 11:59 p.m. ET on April 15, 2020. The subsequent suspension of service for 476 small air and marine reporting locations took effect at 11:59 p.m. ET on May 12, 2020. These measures will remain in effect until further notice and are in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and aligned with Minister of Transport measures to restrict most international air travel to four of Canada’s high-traffic airports
In making these temporary service reductions, the following considerations were taken into account:
Workforce effectiveness
This measure allows the CBSA to preserve capacity should the front line be significantly reduced as a result of COVID-19, as well as, allow for the reallocation of its front-line workforce to higher-traffic sites
Health and safety
Temporarily reducing hours of operation or suspending service at select POEs also helps to limit the possible transmission points of COVID-19 for inbound travellers and goods. This will also allow the CBSA to focus resources on the screening and assessment of potentially symptomatic travellers and support the Public Health Agency of Canada in enforcing the quarantine and self-isolation requirements. It is also in alignment with the Government’s current objective to have all inbound travellers assessed for symptoms of COVID-19.
Other considerations
These changes will not affect Canada’s supply flow during this pandemic, as the CBSA has not changed hours at POEs that are used to process essential goods and persons. Also, as a result of this change, the US has advised the CBSA that it will maintain a presence with uniformed officers to allow northbound travel to Canada, accept any direct-backs, and facilitate any mutual aid (emergency services) traffic.
Portfolio partner support
The RCMP is prepared to bolster its presence at affected locations and provide additional support, as needed, to ensure that a law enforcement presence is maintained.
Contacts:
Approved by: Kathy Thompson, Vice-President, Strategic Policy Branch, [REDACTED]
- Date modified: