News Release

National 2011

Fort Frances port of entry monthly enforcement highlights

Fort Frances, Ontario, February 14, 2011 – Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers at the Fort Francis port of entry (POE) play a key role in enhancing the safety and protection of Canadians. In January 2011, CBSA officers in Fort Frances processed over 36,000 travellers in over 27,000 vehicles, and 620 commercial drivers. They also conducted 355 immigration interviews and performed over1,100 secondary exams.

Highlights:

Immigration

In January, CBSA officers at the Fort Frances POE conducted 355 immigration interviews. Following these, five individuals were granted work permits, five individuals received visitor records, 68 Remote Area Border Crossing permits were issued, six individuals were refused entry for criminality and one individual was allowed to enter on a temporary visitor permit.

On January 5, a U.S. resident of Oregon seeking entry into Canada was referred for further questionning. Subsequent background checks revealed that this traveller had multiple criminal convictions in the United States including aggravated robbery, assault of a peace officer, receiving stolen property, theft, theft by cheque, disorderly conduct, driving under the influence (DUI) and multiple probation violations. He was reported as being criminally inadmissible and returned to the United States.

Also on January 5, a U.S. resident was refused entry due to three convictions for assault and battery in the state of Michigan.

On January 12, a U.S. resident of Minnesota presented himself at the Fort Frances POE to determine whether he was admissible to Canada. A background check showed a 2008 conviction for fraud. The individual also had a DUI conviction on his record. He was found to be inadmissible and was returned to the United States.

On January 25, the CBSA received information that there was an outstanding arrest warrant for a Canadian citizen who was in the United States. On January 26, the individual returned to Canada at the Fort Frances POE. An outstanding warrant for two counts of Failure to attend court under paragraph 145(5)(b) of the Criminal Code was confirmed, and the individual was placed under arrest. Border services officers then turned the subject over to the Ontario Provincial Police.

On January 28, a U.S. resident of Wisconsin presented himself at the Fort Frances POE for a snowmobiling and fishing trip to Nestor Falls. Background checks revealed two previous convictions for driving under the influence and a third conviction for disorderly conduct. The individual was unaware of his inadmissibility and was forthcoming with information regarding his convictions. The individual was issued a Temporary Resident Permit for the duration of his trip and allowed into Canada since the convictions were more than 10 years old. He was also counselled on the criminal conviction rehabilitation process and how to obtain rehabilitation for future trips.

Travel Tips:

The CBSA reminds all travellers to truthfully declare all purchases when returning to Canada and to be mindful of the following: after an absence of 24 hours, you may bring back $50 worth of goods duty- and tax-free; after 48 hours, your personal exemption is $400; and after an absence of seven days, you are entitled to $750 worth of duty- and tax-free goods. There are no personal exemptions for same-day purchases.

Please refer to the I Declare brochure on the CBSA Web site for more information.

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For more information:

Chris Kealey
Communications
Canada Border Services Agency
613-991-5197