News Release

Northern Ontario Region

CBSA advises travellers in Northern Ontario Region to plan ahead for the busiest weekend of the year

Ottawa, Ontario, August 1, 2013 — The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is anticipating heavy traffic volumes at ports of entry in Northern Ontario this Civic Holiday 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.

In anticipation of higher traffic volumes at some ports of entry this long weekend, travellers are advised to consider the potential for delays for the following dates and times when entering Canada:

Lansdowne port of entry (@CBSA_TIB): peak traffic volumes are anticipated between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Friday, August 2, between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Saturday, August 3, between 2 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Sunday, August 4, and between 11 a.m. and 10 p.m. on Monday, August 5, 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, August 2, between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Saturday, August 3, between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Sunday, August 4, and between 11 a.m. and 10 p.m. on Monday, August 5, when border wait times may exceed 60 minutes.

Cornwall port of entry (@CBSA_CWL): peak traffic volumes are anticipated to be between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m. on Friday, August 2, between 4 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Sunday, August 4, and between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. on Monday, August 5, 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, August 2, between 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Saturday, August 3, between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Sunday, August 4, and between 11 a.m. and 10 p.m. on Monday, August 5, 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, August 1, between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Friday, August 2, and between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 3, 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, August 2.

Pigeon River port of entry:peak traffic volumes are anticipated to be between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Sunday, August 4, and between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Monday, August 5, when border wait times may exceed 30 minutes. Higher than normal traffic could also be expected on Friday evening, August 2, and on Saturday morning, August 3.

Travellers can 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.

Souvenirs can be a fun way to remember your vacation but certain goods are prohibited from entering Canada including some food, plant and animal products. Be aware of what goods are prohibited from entering Canada by consulting the I Declare brochure on the CBSA Web site.

For more information on border wait times, visit the Border Wait Times page. You can also visit the CBSA mobile Web site or 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
Chris Kealey
CBSA Communications
Tel.: 613-991-5197

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