THUNDER BAY – Thousands of people will stream south on the Victoria Day long weekend. Crossing into Minnesota at the Pigeon River Border Crossing is a frequent event for many from Thunder Bay who head to what one could probably call “Thunder Bay Deep South” on long weekends.
Shopping, and enjoying our southern sister city of Duluth is a frequent pastime for many people in Thunder Bay.
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) would like to remind travellers to plan ahead for their travel this Victoria Day long weekend.
The CBSA is anticipating increased traffic volumes at ports of entry in Eastern and Northern Ontario. Travellers can beat the border rush by crossing at a non-peak times. Regardless of your itinerary, try to plan crossing the border in the morning, especially if you cross on Sunday or Monday when peak times are between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. at most locations.
For travellers crossing at the Lansdowne (Thousand Islands) port of entry, be aware of the current construction taking place for the new facility. Travellers and commercial vehicles may experience delays as a result of reduced processing lanes. At peak times, travellers and commercial vehicles may choose to enter Canada via the Prescott port of entry.
Travellers and commercial vehicles may also experience delays weekdays at the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge while the structure is being painted and traffic will be reduced to one lane.
We encourage travellers to plan ahead and help facilitate their border crossing by following these tips:
- Plan your border crossing – Check border wait times using the CanBorder App and cross at the least busy port of entry in the area.
- Know your purchases and keep travel documents handy – Know your personal exemptions and restrictions and make sure that each passenger has the correct travel document. Have your travel documents and receipts in hand when you arrive at the border.
- Be sure to declare all purchases or acquisitions when returning to Canada – You can refer to the I Declare publication on the CBSA website for more information.
- Know the contents of your vehicle – Travellers can consult the CBSA’s website for information on firearms, firewood, and fireworks.
- Pre-registration of travel information for private boaters – Boaters can take advantage of the new pre-registration feature by emailing information to the CBSA prior to their trip. It will speed up processing when they call in to report their entry to Canada.
- Not sure? Ask the CBSA officer – The single best thing you can do to save time returning to Canada is to simply be open and honest with the CBSA officer. If you are not sure about what to declare, don’t hesitate to ask. The officers are there to help you.
For more information, visit the CBSA website at www.cbsa.gc.ca or contact the Border Information Service at 1‑800‑461-9999.
