Canada-U.S. deal could close small border crossings

[bubba zanetti]

Canada and the U.S. have been negotiating to do away with some small border crossings and merge others as part of the far-reaching perimeter security deal recently announced between the two countries.

"A leaked internal presentation of the bi-national Small Port Working Group reveals details of the negotiations over the fate of so-called "small ports of entry," rural or small-town crossings stretching from St. Stephen, N.B., to Chopaka, B.C.

The document discusses four options being considered by officials with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for each of the 52 land crossings. The options are sharing facilities, mirroring working hours, using a "remote-technology solution," or closing the posts altogether.
Work proceeds on a new state-of-the-art border post at Richford, Vt., where Canada recently scaled back hours at its post of East Pinnacle, Que.Work proceeds on a new state-of-the-art border post at Richford, Vt., where Canada recently scaled back hours at its post of East Pinnacle, Que. (CBC)

At some smaller posts, the two countries will seek to cut costs by sharing facilities. This arrangement has already existed for many years at some posts and is generally considered to have worked well. For example, Canada currently pays for a shared facility in Noyan, Que., while the U.S. picks up the tab for a joint border post at Carson, B.C."

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2011/12/14/small-border-crossings-canada-us.html


Looks like the end to  one of the more interesting border crossing here in BC. Nighthawk/Chopaka. Shame as I love riding through there.  

They say it will 'expedite' travel. I will be surprised if it does.

[bomber]

the only expediting will be for the government agancies . . . . .sad.

ALthough I would love it if you guys managed ALL the crossings -- coming back into the States and having your first contact with our customs employees is, how you say, a drag.

[Sputnik]

My impression has been the opposite. It seems like many of the smaller border crossings have seen a huge investment of new infrastructure on the US side. I recently crossed at Del Bonita (Alberta to Montana). This is a small, remote, and not very busy port in the middle of nowhere. On the US side there is a massive new facility under construction. And strangely, when I returned to Canada via the same port a few hours later, all traffic was diverted to go through the US border inspection again before proceeding to the Canada customs facility. When I asked the US agent why this was the case, all I got was: "because we want you to".  Is this going to be a new trend....having to check in and check out of the US???  

[Kootenanny]

They say it will 'expedite' travel. I will be surprised if it does.

I agree.

Heard about this on the news this morning--they may close the Nelway crossing, which would suck.

"Joint" posts make sense to me, though, if the only reason for this is to save money.

The thing is, cross-border shopping and tourism is big business--why would either government want to curtail it?  (well, I guess there is always the American "fear-mongering" sector...a few years ago, while visiting in New Mexico, I read some newspaper articles that made it sound like Canada is chock-full of terrorists chomping at the bit to cross into the US and wreak havoc....)

[Scratch33]

"because we want you to".

Sic Enim Dicunt Nobis will be our next national motto.

[PatM]

Lots of small rural border crossing have already been closed between Quebec and Vermont.
Lots more are now open for business between 8 AM and 4 PM.
After that, going back home is through the major crossings only. Its the first step to closing them down permanently. Nothing to do with security but government cut backs.
I guess with increased security, they will be able to justify closing them entirely.

To the government, it doesn't matter how it affect local farmers and trans-border traffic. It doesn't matter how it will affect local businesses.
If it matters to you, write your MP or representative before its too late.

[bubba zanetti]

What I don't get is that in the age of computers, why each and every time I cross the boarder I am treated anew. I assume since I no longer get my passport stamped that there is a virtual or electronic one - a record of my crossings. This past year I bet I crossed the border, without exaggeration, 40 to 50 times, spent about a month total in the US on multi-day trips, lots of day trips, flew in and out as well, been scanned in Phoenix and pat searched in Seattle. So, I should be a known quantity right? A the very least some kind of reduced risk or given a frequent flyer stamp for being good for the economy of the USA and a pat on the back. I even spell boarder properly when on each side of the border !   I am a middle aged anglo Canadian who has proven time and time again that I do not smell of nitrate, emit no radiation and have no prior criminal record. So what gives? Scan my passport and say nice to see you again MR zanetti and welcome back to the US of A ... Sir!

Not so and that is silly, discourteous and wasteful.

[Hardware]

...I am a middle aged anglo Canadian who has proven time and time again that I do not smell of nitrate, emit no radiation and have no prior criminal record. So what gives? Scan my passport and say nice to see you again MR zanetti and welcome back to the US of A ...

I agree 100% however there are those who would say that would be a form of profiling...

[alphabet man]

W: I am a middle aged anglo Canadian who has proven time and time again that I do not smell of nitrate, emit no radiation and have no prior criminal record.

 Oh great, I'm screwed I used Cesium 135 at work for several years  and have been blowing shit up for a living for the last 8 or so  

[bubba zanetti]

 Oh great, I'm screwed I used Cesium 135 at work for several years  and have been blowing shit up for a living for the last 8 or so  

I noticed the last couple of times we have crossed that it gets harder and harder. Have you seen the new crossing they are building at Waneta on the US side? Huge sniffers/detectors ... you are doomed !!  No more cheap tires for you Dave !!  

[Scoop]

Not too far from the border crossing into Minnesota from here is the old border crossing.  If you're inventive, you don't have to put up with all that crossing BS.  Just go.  Many do come through there every year.  
Might be hard to get a bike across the river, but it you were creative enough.....

[notarian]

Looks like the end to  one of the more interesting border crossing here in BC. Nighthawk/Chopaka. Shame as I love riding through there.  

They say it will 'expedite' travel. I will be surprised if it does.

The only thing that it will expedite is the loss of jobs. Nighthawk for instance probably means 4 jobs on each side plus the what revenue saved on maintaining the road. It's a minor crossing in volume and closes at 5pm so its not like the operation is ongoing at midnight with minimal or no movement.

I think border crossings such as Nighthawk are brilliant for a more out of the way, often more convenient and by far less queueing if any.

[Mrs. DantesDame]

Nighthawk is, I believe, my favorite crossing. I'm glad I got to go through there as often as I did. I loved how it just dumped me out into the Samilkameen Valley - simply gorgous...  

I think I've crossed every single WA/BC border crossing, no matter how small. I usually made them stamp my passport, too

ALthough I would love it if you guys managed ALL the crossings -- coming back into the States and having your first contact with our customs employees is, how you say, a drag.

My dad complained to me a while ago about this. But his argument was how rude the Canadian border guards were. He was telling Dan (my Canadian husband) about how surprised he was at their gruffness and unwillingness to engage in conversation, let alone smile. Upon further discussion, it came out that he was crossing the US border and those were American guards who were being dicks. Surprise  

[birdrunner]

Nighthawk is, I believe, my favorite crossing. I'm glad I got to go through there as often as I did. I loved how it just dumped me out into the Samilkameen Valley - simply gorgous...  

I think I've crossed every single WA/BC border crossing, no matter how small. I usually made them stamp my passport, too





My dad complained to me a while ago about this. But his argument was how rude the Canadian border guards were. He was telling Dan (my Canadian husband) about how surprised he was at their gruffness and unwillingness to engage in conversation, let alone smile. Upon further discussion, it came out that he was crossing the US border and those were American guards who were being dicks. Surprise  

It's the guards from your own country that are usually assholes.

I find the opposite to your experiences.  The guards are there to save us from ourselves.  

[mugwump58]

Yup the other guys always seemed more civil and observant, where as our own seemed thugish, much better armed as well.

Before the ferry on Lake Ontario closed the other side made note of a childs sirname and asked questions, very polite though. Upon return we were greated by an armed Coast Guard escort, with armed Coasties on deck, to a terminal full of bullet heades Saxon mothers sons.

It was the time unfortunately. The plan to transport commercial vehicles was quashed by the security regulations and the ferry left.

While I have an "enhanced" drivers license to cross the border, the hassles have meant that I haven't crossed in a long time. I should toughen up I guess.

[Oxblood]

I have a Nexus card. All I have to do is remove the helmet to prove it is me, and off I go. No questions, nothing.

[Mike-H]

Maybe in BC but not @ whirlpool bridge (which is nexus only) in Niagara Falls....