The recent adjustments to operating hours may impact newcomers who rely on flagpoling services. Flagpoling involves temporary residents exiting Canada and then re-entering within 24 hours to receive immigration services at a port of entry. The updated hours will affect multiple ports of entry across various provinces, including Manitoba, Quebec, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, British Columbia, and Alberta. Furthermore, the United States will also be revising the operating hours at several of its own ports to match the changes made by Canadian authorities.

The updated hours will be as follows: 

Alberta

  • Del Bonita: Open daily from 9 am to 5 pm.

British Columbia

  • Cascade: Open daily from 8 am to 8 pm.
  • Nelway: Open daily from 8 am to 6 pm.

Manitoba

  • Cartwright: Open daily from 8 am to 4 pm.
  • Coulter: Open daily from 8 am to 4 pm.
  • Crystal City: Open daily from 9 am to 5 pm.
  • Goodlands: Open daily from 9 am to 5 pm.
  • Gretna: Open daily from 8 am to 6 pm.
  • Lena: Open daily from 8 am to 4 pm.
  • Piney: Open daily from 9 am to 5 pm.
  • Snowflake: Open daily from 9 am to 5 pm.
  • South Junction: Open daily from 8 am to 8 pm.
  • Tolstoi: Open daily from 8 am to 6 pm.
  • Windygates: Open daily from 9 am to 5 pm.
  • Winkler: Open daily from 8 am to 8 pm.

Quebec

  • Chartierville: Open daily from 8 am to 8 pm.
  • Clarenceville: Open daily from 8 am to 4 pm.
  • Frelighsburg: Open daily from 8 am to 8 pm.
  • Herdman: Open daily from 6 am to 6 pm.
  • Hereford Road: Open daily from 8 am to 8 pm.
  • Highwater: Open daily from 8 am to 8 pm.
  • Lacolle Route 221: Open daily from 6 am to 10 pm.
  • Lacolle Route 223: Open daily from 8 am to 8 pm.
  • Noyan: Open daily from 8 am to 8 pm.
  • Trout River: Open daily from 6 am to 6 pm.

New Brunswick

  • Bloomfield: Open Monday to Saturday, from 9 am to 5 pm (closed on Canadian and U.S. holidays).
  • Gillespie Portage: Open daily from 7 am to 7 pm.
  • Fosterville: Open from 8 am to 8 pm during the last Monday of May to the first Monday of September, and from 8 am to 6 pm for the remainder of the year.
  • St. Croix: Open daily from 9 am to 9 pm.

Saskatchewan

  • Carievale: Open from 8 am to 6 pm from the second Sunday of March to the first Saturday of November, and from 9 am to 7 pm for the rest of the year.
  • Estevan Highway: Open from 8 am to 6 pm from the second Sunday of March to the first Saturday of November, and from 9 am to 7 pm for the remainder of the year.
  • Monchy: Open from 9 am to 5 pm from the second Sunday of March to the first Saturday of November, and from 10 am to 6 pm for the rest of the year.
  • Northgate: Open from 8 am to 4 pm from the second Sunday of March to the first Saturday of November, and from 9 am to 5 pm for the rest of the year.
  • Oungre: Open from 8 am to 6 pm from the second Sunday of March to the first Saturday of November, and from 9 am to 7 pm for the remainder of the year.
  • West Poplar River: Open from 9 am to 5 pm from the second Sunday of March to the first Saturday of November, and from 10 am to 6 pm for the remainder of the year.

Reasons for the Changes

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced that the updated operating hours will strengthen security for both Canada and the United States. This change allows the CBSA to allocate its resources more effectively by deploying officers to busier ports of entry.

In its statement, the agency highlighted that the new hours would enhance its ability to process travelers and goods while also improving the management of enforcement activities.

Moreover, the decision was informed by a detailed analysis of operational demands, peak travel times, and the specific services required at each port. Furthermore, the adjustments aim to facilitate smoother cross-border operations by ensuring both countries can return inadmissible travelers and goods more efficiently. The CBSA noted that this is particularly challenging when one side of the border is operational, but the other is not.

An Overview Inadmissability

Inadmissibility in Canadian immigration law refers to circumstances where an individual is prohibited from entering or remaining in Canada. This restriction can arise due to a variety of reasons, including:

  • Criminal History: Past criminal convictions, even for relatively minor offenses, can render a person inadmissible.
  • Security Concerns: Activities such as espionage, terrorism, or membership in organizations that threaten national security may lead to inadmissibility.
  • Health Issues: Medical conditions that pose a risk to public health or safety, or that may place an excessive demand on Canada’s healthcare system, can result in denial of entry.
  • Immigration Law Violations: Misrepresentation, overstaying visas, or unauthorized work in Canada are examples of immigration breaches that can lead to inadmissibility.

However, individuals who are deemed inadmissible may have options to overcome this status, depending on their specific situation. Strategies include:

  • Rehabilitation: Those with a criminal history may apply for criminal rehabilitation if enough time has passed since completing their sentence. This process allows Canada to consider the individual as no longer posing a risk.
  • Temporary Resident Permits (TRPs): These permits allow inadmissible individuals to enter Canada temporarily if they can demonstrate that their visit is justified despite the inadmissibility.
  • Medical Exemptions: Applicants with medical inadmissibility may provide additional documentation or evidence to show that their condition does not meet the threshold of excessive demand or risk.
  • Legal Advice and Appeals: Seeking the assistance of an immigration lawyer or filing an appeal through appropriate channels can help address inadmissibility issues.

Understanding and addressing inadmissibility requires careful assessment of the underlying reasons and proactive steps to resolve the concerns.