Impact of Border Measures and Statistics

Date: August 11, 2020
Classification: Unclassified
Fully releasable (ATIP)? Yes
Branch / Agency: SPB/CBSA

Overall (August 3 – 9) – weekly data:

• Overall, there has been a decline of 90% in travellers across the country in all modes versus the same period last year (over the last 7 days, up to August 10).
• However, the CBSA has recently seen general increases in traveller volumes at the border. Specifically, when compared to the data from two weeks prior (July 20 to 26), the CBSA has seen increased volumes in the following areas:
• 0.6% more air travel from the United States. This is generally associated with the implementation of OICs which exempts more individuals from the prohibition of entry into Canada from the United States;
• 2.2% 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
• 27.4% 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 – August 9):

• 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, 8,939 immediate family members of Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents have been admitted into Canada under these new exemptions, which breaks down as follows:
• 5,635 individuals in air mode under the family exemption;
• 581 individuals in air mode for non-discretionary travel (does not qualify for the exemption);  
• 2,284 individuals in land/rail/marine modes under the family exemption; and  
• 439 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 20 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 – August 10):

• Decrease of 96% 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.
• 900 U.S. citizens and 291 foreign nationals travelling from the U.S. by air were denied entry into Canada.
• 357 foreign nationals from locations other than the U.S. were also denied entry.
• 2,174 air travellers responded positively to health screening questions nationally, and 416 travellers were referred* by the CBSA to a PHAC Quarantine Officer.
• 5,599 asymptomatic travellers referred to PHAC for not having suitable accommodation to quarantine (April 17 – August 10)

Travellers - Land, Rail and Marine Mode (from March 22 – August 10):

• Overall decrease of 87% of highway volumes when compared to this same period last year (year over year).
• Of the 9,535 travellers processed by the CBSA in land mode, 1,851 (19%) were subject to mandatory quarantine orders (August 9).
• The remaining 81% were exempt and fall into the following categories (August 9):
• 5,506 (72%) trade and transport sector (truck drivers, crew on any plane, train or marine vessel);
• 1,089 (14%) cross-border workers (health care sector, critical infrastructure workers);
• 992 (13%) essential services (emergency responders and personnel providing essential services related to the COVID-19 outbreak); and
• 97 (1%) medical deliveries.
• The number of individuals travelling by ferry has decreased by 100%.
• The number of private boaters has decreased by 97%.
• Passenger rail service has been suspended until further notice (decrease of 100%).
• 12,567 U.S. citizens, and 1,708 other foreign nationals, were denied entry due to non-essential travel.
• 1,202 travellers arriving in land, rail and marine modes responded positively to health screening questions nationally, and 264 travellers were referred by the CBSA* to a PHAC Officer.
• 2,000 asymptomatic travellers referred to PHAC for not having suitable accommodation to quarantine (April 17 – August 10)

*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 – August 10):

• 115 refugee claimants seeking entry to Canada have been directed back to the U.S.
• 17 refugees were admitted into Canada from the U.S. as an exception under the Orders in Council.
• 425 refugees were admitted into Canada from the U.S. as an exception to the Safe Third Country Agreement.
• 114 foreign nationals were intercepted between ports of entry by the RCMP (irregular migrants) – (between March 21 – August 9)

Canadians turned back at U.S. Border (As of August 10):

• There were 16 Canadians turned back at the U.S. border in air mode for non-essential travel, and 5,309 in land, rail and marine modes.

Commercial Operations – Year over Year data:

• Decrease of 6% in commercial truck traffic (August 10)
• Decrease of 9% total commercial releases (August 9)
• Decrease of 3% in highway releases
• Decrease of 28% in air releases
• Decrease of 4% in rail releases
• Decrease of 22% in marine releases
• The service standard for Commercial Border Wait Times (45 minutes) was met 99.7% in the last week.

Border Information Service (on August 9):

• The CBSA’s Border Information Service telephone line is now accessible 24/7 to respond to traveller and business queries.
• 942 calls received
• 60% domestic calls to 40% international
• 80% traveller-related; 20% 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:

2020-11-27