Hours are being reduced at a dozen border ports of entry in Manitoba — more than any other province — as schedules are adjusted across the country.
The Canada Border Services Agency announced Monday it is adjusting hours of service at 35 land ports, and more than one-third of the ports affected are in Manitoba. The changes will take effect here at 12:01 a.m. on Jan. 6.
“Today’s announcement, determined in collaboration with the United States, will enhance overall security for both countries. 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,” the news release said.
RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS FILES
A highway sign near Gretna. Reduced hours at the community’s border port of entry, for travellers entering Canada, take effect Jan. 26.
“The U.S. is also adjusting service hours at many of its ports of entry. 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.”
The release said the revised hours of operation are based on an analysis of “operational pressures” and peak periods, among other factors.
“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,” the release said.
The new hours for the Cartwright, Coulter, Gretna, Lena, South Junction, Tolstoi and Winkler locations will be 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., seven days a week. The Coulter and Lena locations are open to commercial traffic for the same time on weekdays only, except holidays.
The new hours for the Crystal City, Goodlands, Piney, Snowflake and Windygates locations will be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week.
Beyond the 12 Manitoba locations, hours are being adjusted at 10 border entry locations in Quebec, six in Saskatchewan, four in New Brunswick, two in British Columbia and one in Alberta.
fpcity@freepress.mb.ca