Article content
The federal government will change hours of operations at border crossings across the country, including at a dozen crossings in Manitoba, as they try to stay in line with their U.S. counterparts.
Article content
On Monday, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced it will adjust hours of service at a total of 35 land ports of entry, as of 12:01 a.m. (local time) on Jan. 6, including at 12 ports in Manitoba that will all have reduced hours of operation.
“Today’s announcement, determined in collaboration with the United States, will enhance overall security for both countries,” CBSA said in a media release on Monday.
“It will allow the CBSA to use its resources more efficiently by deploying officers at busier ports of entry. This will support the CBSA’s ability to process travellers and goods, as well as to manage enforcement activities.
“This alignment will also allow both countries to return inadmissible travellers and goods to the other country, which is more difficult when one side of the border is closed while the other remains open.”
Article content
Crossings in Manitoba that will have reduced hours are Cartwright, Coulter, Crystal City, Goodlands, Gretna, Lena, Piney, Snowflake, South Junction, Tolstoi, Windygates and Winkler.
Crossings at Gretna and Tolstoi are currently open daily until 10 p.m., but as of Jan. 6 will close daily at 6 p.m., while in Crystal City, Goodlands, Piney and Snowflake, which are all currently open until 10 p.m., crossings will stay open until 5 p.m. daily.
In Winkler, the border crossing is currently open until 10 p.m. daily but will close at 8 p.m., and all affected communities in Manitoba will see reduced hours at the border.
“The adjustments are based on an analysis of operational pressures, peak periods, and services required at the ports of entry, to minimize the impacts on border communities,” CBSA said.
“Almost all of these ports of entry are processing an average of two or less cars or commercial trucks per hour during the hours that will no longer be in operation, and travellers have an alternative border crossing option within a 100 km radius.”
— Dave Baxter is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of the Winnipeg Sun. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.
Have thoughts on what’s going on in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada or across the world? Send us a letter to the editor at wpgsun.letters@kleinmedia.ca
Share this article in your social network