Traffic at local crossings up by 20 per cent this summerAnother busy season has arrived for the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA). The agency employees are again attempting to minimize border wait times during the peak travel seasons and with this in mind, CBSA is now on Twitter and posting border wait times for major crossings in Canada. This includes the North Portal port. "Travellers who follow us on Twitter will have immediate access to wait times and that can help them plan their return to Canada," said Wayne Brown, chief of operations. You can follow border wait times for Canada-bound traffic at http://twitter.com and search for CBSA_NPL. Traffic volumes are up an average of 20 per cent from June 2009 figures. Approximately 5,500 people were processed for entry at the Estevan Highway port and 26,000 more were processed at North Portal. CBSA also issued 106 work permits and 28 temporary resident permits to foreign nationals. As the dollar remains strong, the CBSA continues to see many travellers returning from shopping trips, so they encourage all of them to make sure they are aware of the requirements when they get to the border, such as having identification ready and being prepared to make a full declaration of the goods they are bringing into Canada. Brown also reminds travellers to truthfully declare all purchases on their return. "In June officers at North Portal seized more than $132,500 of goods and assessed more than $23,900 in penalties," he said. On June 3, for instance, a Saskatchewan resident was referred for further examination. When CBSA officers examined the vehicle they found 11 bottles of alcohol throughout the vehicle including the trunk, under seats and inside luggage. A total of 16 litres of alcohol were seized and no terms of release were provided.On June 1, an Alberta resident was importing a fifth-wheel toy hauler RV which he declared at US$31,800, but it was revealed later he had actually paid $51,800 for the unit. The trailer was seized and the traveller was penalized $11,508.20. On June 3, another Alberta resident failed to declare two personal watercrafts and a trailer. He told the officers he had purchased the goods in Canada a few years earlier. Further investigation revealed the items were, in fact, purchased in the United States and the traveller used a false vehicle identification number (VIN) plate and licence plate from another trailer to mislead officers. The goods, valued at $12,774, were seized and the man was issued a penalty of $7,025. If the goods had been truthfully declared, the GST payment that would have been required was $639. In these instances, the investigations are continuing with the possibilities of prosecution. "Several United States residents were refused entry in June for committing an offence upon entry," said Brown. On June 14, a Wisconsin resident entered Canada en route to Alaska. The subject was found to be in possession of more than US$17,400, even though he declared just $8,000. CBSA requires that travellers declare currency in excess of $10,000, as this must be reported and documented under the Proceeds of Crime and Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Act. The currency was seized and later returned after a $250 penalty was paid. CBSA examined a vehicle from North Carolina when it appeared at the Canadian border on June 20. They found a cardboard box on the passenger seat with a small amount of marijuana and paraphernalia as well as a bottle containing more than 26 grams of liquid hash oil. The driver was arrested and the narcotics and vehicle were seized. The vehicle was returned to the driver following the payment of a $2,010 penalty but the driver was refused entry into Canada.On June 30, officers found a prohibited knife and trace amounts of cocaine inside the vehicle of a Minnesota resident attempting to enter Canada. The weapon was seized and a penalty was assessed against the vehicle for the trace amounts of the narcotics. After paying a $900 fine for release of the vehicle, the subject was refused entry into Canada.CBSA officers are also on the alert for suspected impaired drivers. On June 10, a Saskatchewan resident returning to Canada after a same day absence was suspected to have been drinking. An alcohol screening test was administered, which the subject failed, so he was arrested and turned over to police for further processing. The CBSA said that since 1999, with the passing of Bill C-18 in the Canadian Parliament, CBSA officers have the power and responsibilities as peace officers for the purpose of enforcing the Criminal Code. The CBSA also remind motorists that if they are returning from a camping trip, they need to know that camping gear, recreational equipment and supplies must be clean and free of pests and soil. The returning campers cannot bring live bait into the country without a permit and there are certain restrictions on the types and quantities of food products that are allowed to enter Canada. Another cautionary reminder is the fact that moving firewood from one place to another is against the law. Firewood can introduce invasive species and spread diseases to Canada's trees. For all campers, the rule is pretty simple: Buy firewood on site, burn it on site and unused firewood is to be left at the site. More information regarding CBSA and border requirements may be obtained by contacting the CBSA at 1-800-461-9999. If anyone observes suspicious cross-border activity, they are asked to contact the Border Watch Line at 1-888-502-9060.
