Residents in remote communities along the Canada-U.S. border are urging Ottawa to retain a trusted traveler border entry program that streamlines their travel into Ontario and Manitoba without the need to report to a customs checkpoint.
Jason Goulet, proprietor of Angle Outpost Resort and Red Fox Ice Fishing in Northwest Angle, Minnesota, emphasized the convenience of the program for frequent travelers in the area. He highlighted the significance of the program for his family, who have almost daily travelers for various purposes such as school, groceries, medical appointments, and other errands.
The existing program, known as the Remote Area Border Crossing (RABC) program by the Canada Border Services Agency, entails comprehensive background and security checks for Canadian and American residents. Successful applicants receive an annual permit that allows them to enter Canada via five remote areas without the need to contact or check in with a Canada Border Services Agency officer. The majority of the permit holders, approximately 90%, are American.
The designated areas in Ontario covered by the program include Cockburn Island, Sault Ste. Marie’s upper lock system bordering Michigan, waterways from Pigeon River to Lake of the Woods, and the Canadian shoreline of Lake Superior. Northwest Angle, which is geographically unique as the only part of the U.S. located north of the 49th parallel outside of Alaska, is also included under the program. Accessible mainly by boat or ice road, with the only road connection being through Manitoba.
As of September 14, the Canada Border Services Agency will discontinue the permit program, necessitating all travelers to report their entry via designated telephone reporting sites. This change is part of a $1.3 billion border security upgrade initiated by Ottawa in response to pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump.
Critics of the decision, including Goulet, argue that the new phone reporting requirement lacks the effectiveness of pre-clearance and security checks in enhancing border security. Concerns have also been raised by Indigenous communities regarding potential disruptions to their mobility rights guaranteed under the Jay Treaty of 1794.
While the Canada Border Services Agency is considering additional reporting sites in consultation with Indigenous communities and local stakeholders, some residents suggest a technological solution similar to the U.S. system. Nathan Truesdell, owner of Jerry’s Bar and Restaurant in Northwest Angle, proposed the adoption of an app-based reporting system for travelers to streamline the border crossing process.
Despite the agency’s emphasis on telephone reporting, individuals like Truesdell advocate for leveraging technology to facilitate border processing efficiently while maintaining safety and security standards.
