Canada will arrange its first preclearance operation in the US this 12 months as half its plan to spice up border safety amid rising stress from the incoming U.S. president-elect Donald Trump.
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced Thursday {that a} two-year operation will probably be launched at a shared facility on the Cannon Corners port of entry in New York, which is on the opposite aspect of the border from the Covey Hill port of entry in Quebec.
Throughout that two-year interval, the Covey Hill port of entry will probably be closed to travellers, who should enter Canada by Cannon Corners as a substitute.
“On the preclearance website, Canadian officers will look at travellers and items to determine whether or not they’re admissible into Canada, as they presently do at ports of entry in Canada,” CBSA stated in a information launch.
“This consists of screening for harmful items, similar to firearms and medicines, earlier than they go away the U.S.”
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Travellers won’t be able to submit claims for refugee safety at this preclearance website, CBSA stated, however they will accomplish that at a Canadian port of entry.
Most different kinds of immigration requests will probably be accommodated at this location, the company stated.
The announcement comes weeks earlier than Trump is ready to take workplace. Trump has threatened to impose a 25 per cent tariff on all Canadian merchandise coming into the U.S. until Canada improve border safety.
Responding to that menace, Ottawa unveiled a new border plan worth $1.3 million final month, which features a joint strike drive and an “across the clock” aerial surveillance unit for ports of entry.
Public Security Minister David J. McGuinty stated Thursday that the preclearance announcement “demonstrates our shared dedication with the US to bolster border safety and streamline the stream of respectable commerce and journey between our two international locations.”
The U.S. already has preclearance operations in place at eight Canadian airports and one marine facility. At these areas, U.S. customs and immigration officers can enable or deny entry of travellers or items coming into the U.S. from Canada.
CBSA stated the launch date for the primary Canadian preclearance operation will probably be shared on its web site and social media platforms.
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