Impact of Border Measures and Statistics

Date: July 22, 2020

Classification: Unclassified

Branch/Agency: SPB/CBSA

Overall (July 13 – 19) – weekly data:

• Overall, there has been a decline of 88% in travellers across the country in all modes versus the same period last year (over the last 7 days, up to July 21).
• However, the CBSA has recently seen general increases in traveller volumes at the border. Specifically, when compared to the data from two weeks prior (June 29 to July 5), the CBSA has seen increased volumes in the following areas:
  • 20.5% more commercial truck traffic at the land border. This is generally associated with the re-opening of auto sector industries;
  • 4% more travellers at the land border. This is generally associated with non-discretionary business travel and it is also linked to the auto sector; and
  • 6% more international air travel. This is generally associated with charter flights for temporary foreign workers.

Admissibility of Immediate Family of Canadian Citizens/Permanent Residents (June 9 – July 21):

• New Orders in Council have been introduced that contain provisions which allow foreign nationals who are immediate family members of Canadian citizens and permanent resident to seek entry to Canada for the purpose of being with their family members.
• Thus far, 6,381 immediate family members of Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents have been admitted into Canada under these new exemptions, which breaks down as follows:
  • 3,768 individuals in air mode under the family exemption;
  • 416 individuals in air mode for non-discretionary travel (does not qualify for the exemption);  
  • 1,865 individuals in land/rail/marine modes under the family exemption; and  
  • 332 individuals in land/rail/marine modes for non-discretionary travel (does not qualify for the exemption).

Note: Immediate family members can enter Canada under the new OIC 19 and OIC 17 if: (1) they are asymptomatic (2) they are entering Canada to be with their immediate family member; and (3) they can demonstrate the intent to stay in Canada for a period of at least 15 days. In order for a foreign national to be allowed to enter Canada, the standard for entry must be met in full otherwise, they can be denied entry to Canada.

Travellers - Air Mode (from March 22 – July 21):

• Decrease of 97% in U.S air travellers versus this same period in 2019 (year over year).
• Decrease of 93% of international air travellers arriving from other locations (other than the U.S.) versus the same period last year.
• 776 U.S. citizens and 262 foreign nationals travelling from the U.S. by air were denied entry into Canada.
• 276 foreign nationals from locations other than the U.S. were also denied entry.
• 2,015 air travellers responded positively to health screening questions nationally, and 394 travellers were referred* by the CBSA to a PHAC Quarantine Officer.
• 4,233 asymptomatic travellers referred to PHAC for not having suitable accommodation to quarantine (April 17 – July 21)

Travellers - Land, Rail and Marine Mode (from March 22 – July 21):

• Overall decrease of 88% of highway volumes when compared to this same period last year (year over year).
• Of the 19,571 travellers processed by the CBSA in land mode, 1,633 (8%) were subject to mandatory quarantine orders (July 20).
• The remaining 92% were exempt and fall into the following categories (July 20):
  • 12,297 (69%) trade and transport sector (truck drivers, crew on any plane, train or marine vessel);
  • 3,661 (20%) cross-border workers (health care sector, critical infrastructure workers);
  • 1,768 (10%) essential services (emergency responders and personnel providing essential services related to the COVID-19 outbreak); and
  • 212 (1%) medical deliveries.
• The number of individuals travelling by ferry has decreased by 100%.
• The number of private boaters has decreased by 98%.
• Passenger rail service has been suspended until further notice (decrease of 100%).
• 10,457 U.S. citizens, and 1,388 other foreign nationals, were denied entry due to non-essential travel.
• 1,068 travellers arriving in land, rail and marine modes responded positively to health screening questions nationally, and 242 travellers were referred by the CBSA* to a PHAC Officer.
• 1,576 asymptomatic travellers referred to PHAC for not having suitable accommodation to quarantine (April 17 – July 21)

*Note: Referral rates for the CBSA are not 1:1; travellers may respond in error, report symptoms that are not COVID-19 related, or be referred to Quarantine Officers from PHAC Screening Officers (which is not captured by CBSA reporting)

Refugee Claimants (from March 21 – July 21):

• 82 refugee claimants seeking entry to Canada have been directed back to the U.S.
• Five refugees were admitted into Canada from the U.S. as an exception under the Orders in Council.
• 322 refugees were admitted into Canada from the U.S. as an exception to the Safe Third Country Agreement.
• 80 foreign nationals were intercepted between ports of entry by the RCMP (irregular migrants) – (between March 21 – July 20) 

Canadians turned back at U.S. Border (As of July 21):

There were 15 Canadians turned back at the U.S. border in air mode for non-essential travel, and 4,415 in land, rail and marine modes.

Commercial Operations – Year over Year data:

• Decrease of 5% in commercial truck traffic (July 21)
• Decrease of 7% total commercial releases (July 20)
  • Decrease of 5% in highway releases
  • Decrease of 14% in air releases
  • Increase of 5% in rail releases
  • Decrease of 4% in marine releases
• The service standard for Commercial Border Wait Times (45 minutes) was met 99.8% in the last week.

Border Information Service (on July 20):

• The CBSA’s Border Information Service telephone line is now accessible 24/7 to respond to traveller and business queries.
• 3,543 calls received
• 60% domestic calls to 40% international
• 90% traveller-related; 10% commercial-related
• The most common questions were related to: admissibility (essential travel and/or immediate family, transiting Canada), quarantine requirements/exemptions, immigration related enquiries (work/student permits), postal related enquiries (personal and commercial).

Date modified:

2021-02-03