Coutts Border Crossing -- LNN

By Connor Gunn

Americans could see jail time if they are lying about what they are doing in Canada

Jul 9, 2020 | 10:00 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB– Since the middle of March, the Canada/United States border has been watched very closely because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

After reaching out to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), they declined to do an interview with LNN but did provide written responses to our questions.

The Government of Canada implemented travel restrictions in all modes of transportation: land, sea, air and rail.

As written by the Government of Canada, non-essential travel is not allowed at this time.

“The temporary restriction on all optional or discretionary travel at the Canada-U.S. border has been extended until July 21, 2020, and can be prolonged as necessary for public health reasons. All travel of an optional or discretionary nature, including tourism and recreation, is covered by these measures.”

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In addition, “Travel by healthy people who have to cross the border to go to work or for other non-discretionary purposes continues.”

Some of the discretionary acts that are not allowed are as follows: hikes across the border, social events, such as birthday parties, boating across the border, picking up a pet, opening a seasonal residence, and immigration services.

Essential workers are allowed to travel from the U.S. to Canada, and vice versa.

The protocols are still in place that, “No matter their country of origin or mode of entry – visitors MUST isolate themselves for 14 days if they have symptoms of or confirmed COVID-19 or quarantine themselves for 14 days if they do not have symptoms of COVID-19.”

“Upon arrival at a Canadian port of entry, travellers must satisfy a CBSA border services officer (BSO) that they meet the requirements for entry into Canada. Travellers are encouraged to have documentation that will demonstrate their reason for travel and length of stay, as well as any other information that may be relevant to substantiate how they meet the exemption.”

This is essentially stating that in order to come into Canada, you have to have a non-discretionary or essential reason.

Providing false information to a border services officer upon entry to Canada is considered misrepresentation and has consequences.

Also, if you provide false immigration information or false information about the purpose of your travel, you may be denied entry and/or be banned from returning to Canada.

Failure to comply with the current border restrictions is an offence under the Quarantine Act and could lead to:

· Up to $750,000 in fines, and/or

· Imprisonment of up to 6 months

If you cause a risk of imminent death or serious bodily harm to another person while willfully or recklessly contravening this act or the regulations, you could be liable for:

· Up to $1,000,000 in fines, and/or

· Imprisonment of up to 3 years

Additional travel information and requirements to enter Canada can be found at the Canada Border Services website.