News Release

CBSA advises travellers to plan ahead

Ottawa, Ontario, May 17, 2012 – The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) reminds travellers to plan their border crossing to avoid delays during this upcoming Victoria Day weekend.

In anticipation of higher traffic volumes and limits to the volume of traffic that can be processed at some ports of entry this weekend, travellers are advised to consider the potential for delays at the Fort Frances port of entry for the following dates and times:

Fort Frances port of entry: Peak traffic volumes are anticipated between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 17, and between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Friday, May 18, when border wait times may exceed 30 minutes.

Travellers in Northwestern Ontario may also choose to enter Canada via the Pigeon River port of entry (peak traffic volumes are anticipated to be between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 17 and between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Friday, May 18) or the Rainy River port of entry (peak traffic volumes are anticipated to be between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 17 and between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Friday, May 18).

Peak traffic volume information and anticipated border wait times are based on historical data. The CBSA anticipates a 4.8 percent increase in traffic this weekend from previous years based on traffic volume trends to date in 2012. The forecasted traffic volumes may vary depending on numerous factors, including weather conditions.

Lansdowne port of entry: Peak traffic volume is anticipated to be between 3 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Monday, May 21, when border wait times may exceed 45 minutes.

Peak traffic volume information and anticipated border wait times are based on historical data. The CBSA anticipates a 5 percent increase in traffic this weekend from previous years based on traffic volume trends to date in 2012. The forecasted traffic volumes may vary depending on numerous factors, including weather conditions.

Travellers may also choose to enter Canada via the Cornwall port of entry (peak traffic volume is anticipated to be between 2 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Monday, May 21) or the Prescott port of entry (peak traffic volume is anticipated to be between 3 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Monday, May 21).

Sault Ste. Marie port of entry: Peak traffic volume is anticipated to be between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Monday, May 21, when border wait times may exceed and vary between 30 and 60 minutes.

Peak traffic volume information and anticipated border wait times are based on historical data. The CBSA anticipates a 6.4 percent increase in traffic this weekend from previous years based on traffic volume trends to date in 2012. The forecasted traffic volumes may vary depending on numerous factors, including weather conditions.

Reminder: The changes to the personal exemptions that were announced in the March 29, 2012 Federal Budget do not take effect until June 1, 2012. For more information, consult our fact sheet on New Personal Exemption Limits Effective June 1, 2012.

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 at www.cbsa.gc.ca. 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 further information

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