Prosecutions and Seizures

Northern Ontario Region

Fort Frances port of entry monthly enforcement highlights

Fort Frances, Ontario, February 5, 2013 — The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) facilitates the entry of legitimate travellers and goods, while protecting the safety and security of Canadians and ensuring that Canada's border is not used for illegal activity. This work is carried out by CBSA border services officers (BSOs) who ensure that the people, goods and conveyances entering Canada meet all requirements and are compliant with Canadian law.

In December 2012, CBSA officers at the Fort Frances port of entry (POE) processed 59,670 travellers in 33,747 vehicles, which represents a 1.8 percent increase in travellers and a one percent increase in vehicles compared to December 2011. Eight charter buses carrying 165 passengers, 445 commercial trucks, and 540 pedestrians were also processed during the month.

Immigration Highlights

Officers at the Fort Frances POE conducted more than 270 immigration interviews resulting in the issuance of seven work permits, two visitor records and 28 Remote Area Border Crossing Permits. Thirteen people were found to have various admissibility issues, 10 of which were given the option of voluntarily withdrawing their application to enter Canada. The other three were allowed entry on a Temporary Visitor Permit.

On December 10, a U.S. resident arrived at the POE seeking entry to Canada. The individual had no place of residence and no income. Officers gave him the option of voluntarily withdrawing his application to enter Canada and he returned to the United States.

On December 29, a U.S. resident seeking entry to visit Northwestern Ontario was deemed inadmissible due to his criminality. This individual had convictions for assault and was still on probation when he arrived at the POE. He was given the option of voluntarily withdrawing his application to enter Canada and returned to the United States.

Customs Highlights

In December, CBSA officers conducted over 580 secondary examinations for customs purposes, initiated five seizure actions and issued an additional 10 written warnings for non-declared or undervalued goods.

On December 12, a returning Canadian resident was found to be the subject of an outstanding arrest warrant for Theft Under $5,000 in Manitoba. The individual was detained and the matter was referred to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

Travel Tips

The CBSA reminds travellers to truthfully declare all purchases and goods received outside of Canada upon their return. Smuggling, undervaluation and other Customs Act offences may lead to seizure and/or prosecution in a court of law.

Certain foreign nationals who do not meet the requirements to overcome their criminal inadmissibility may be allowed to enter Canada with a one-time only fee-exempt temporary resident permit. For more information, please visit the Citizenship and Immigration Canada Web site.

Anyone with information about suspicious cross-border activity is encouraged to call the CBSA Border Watch toll-free line at 1-888-502-9060.

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For media information
Caroline Desjarlais
CBSA Communications
613-991-1591