Statement by the Canada Border Services Agency, Northern Ontario Region, on the alleged delays of the New Kids on the Block tour at the Lansdowne port of entry

Ottawa, Ontario, June 10, 2013 – Today, Ms. Arianne Reza, Regional Director General of the Northern Ontario Region of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), provided the following statement regarding media reports that the CBSA caused the delay and postponement of the New Kids on the Block concert originally scheduled for June 4, 2013 in Ottawa.

“As you are aware, the Privacy Act provides very strict parameters concerning what the CBSA may and may not say about a particular case. While we are bound by this legislation, we can tell you that media reports on this case are incorrect. There are clear processes followed for all persons seeking entry into Canada, and we can confirm that the CBSA followed due process in accordance with the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), the Customs Act and port procedures when dealing with large organized groups.

The CBSA was made aware of this event and made the necessary arrangements to facilitate the processing of this group by ensuring that additional staff was added to accommodate the tour’s stated arrival time of 5:00 a.m. on June 4, 2013. All pre-arrival documents submitted the previous day were thoroughly reviewed in advance of their arrival.

However, the first bus did not arrive at the port of entry until shortly before 8:00 a.m. The remaining buses arrived staggered over a three-hour period, with the last two buses arriving at 11:00 a.m. 

The buses were processed as efficiently as possible, with the last ones being cleared by 11:40 a.m.

The CBSA routinely works with event planners to facilitate processing. We processed the tour personnel and vehicles expeditiously despite the late arrival of the buses and the tour's failure to provide advance information on all the vehicles and personnel. The CBSA also processed all of the tour's staging and other equipment without delay at another port of entry.

The CBSA is mandated to protect the safety and security of our borders while facilitating legitimate travel and trade. It is imperative that we conduct all necessary exams to ensure that all persons seeking entry are admissible and meet the necessary requirements to enter and/or stay in Canada.

Protecting the integrity of our borders and safety of Canadians remains the priority of the CBSA.”

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For media information

Chris Kealey
CBSA Media Relations, Northern Ontario Region
613-991-5197