News Release

Northern Ontario Region

CBSA anticipates heavy traffic at border crossings in Northern Ontario this Canada Day long weekend

Ottawa, Ontario, June 26, 2013 — The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is anticipating heavy traffic volumes at ports of entry in Northern Ontario this Canada Day long weekend and would like to remind travellers to plan their border crossing to avoid delays.

The CBSA advises travellers to plan their border crossing outside of peak traffic periods if possible and to check border wait times on the CBSA's Web site or on Twitter.

Lansdowne port of entry (@CBSA_TIB): peak traffic volumes are anticipated between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Friday, June 28, between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Saturday, June 29, between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Sunday, June 30, and between 11 a.m. and 10 p.m. on Monday, July 1, when border wait times may exceed 60 minutes.

Prescott port of entry (@CBSA_PCT): peak traffic volumes are anticipated between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Friday, June 28, between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Saturday, June 29, between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Sunday, June 30, and between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m. on Monday, July 1, when border wait times may exceed 60 minutes.

Cornwall port of entry (@CBSA_CWL): peak traffic volumes are anticipated to be between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Friday, June 28, between 4 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Sunday, June 30, and between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m. on Monday, July 1, when border wait times may exceed 60 minutes.

Sault Ste. Marie port of entry (@CBSA_SSM): peak traffic volumes are anticipated to be between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Friday, June 28, between 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Saturday, June 29, between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Sunday, June 30, and between 11 a.m. and 10 p.m. on Monday, July 1, when border wait times may exceed 45 minutes. 

Fort Frances port of entry (@CBSA_FFB): peak traffic volumes are anticipated to be between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 27, between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Friday, June 28, and between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 29, when border wait times may exceed 30 minutes. Travellers may also choose to enter Canada via the Rainy River port of entry where peak traffic volume is anticipated to be between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Friday, June 28.

Pigeon River port of entry: peak traffic volumes are anticipated to be between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Sunday, June 30, and between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Monday, July 1, when border wait times may exceed 30 minutes. Higher than normal traffic could also be expected on Friday evening, June 28, and on Saturday morning, June 29.

We ask that travellers be patient as we will make every effort to expedite the processing of these larger traffic volumes while ensuring the safety and security of the border. Travellers can also help speed up processing by ensuring that they have proper identification for everyone in their vehicle readily available upon arrival at the primary inspection booth and have receipts for purchases in hand.

The CBSA would also like to remind travellers that whether camping in Canada or returning from a camping trip this summer, all camping gear, recreational equipment and supplies must be clean and free of pests and soil. Furthermore, firewood cannot be brought into the country because it can introduce invasive species and spread disease to Canada's trees. Campers should buy firewood on site, burn firewood on site, and leave all unused firewood on site.

For more information on border wait times and for instructions on how to receive Twitter messages for border wait times at some ports of entry, visit the CBSA Web site. You can also visit the Government of Canada Wireless Portal through your Web-enabled mobile device at www.wap.gc.ca or www.gc.ca.

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For media information

Caroline Desjarlais
CBSA Communications
Tel.: 613-991-1591

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