Impact of Border Measures and Statistics

Date: July 7, 2020
Classification: Unclassified
Fully releasable (ATIP)? Yes
Branch / Agency: SPB/CBSA

Overall (June 29 – July 5) – 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 July 6).
• 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 15 to 21), the CBSA has seen increased volumes in the following areas:
• 1% 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
• 35% 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 6):

• 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, 4,266 immediate family members of Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents have been admitted into Canada under these new exemptions, which breaks down as follows:
• 2,338 individuals in air mode under the family exemption;
• 321 individuals in air mode for non-discretionary travel (does not qualify for the exemption);  
• 1,376 individuals in land/rail/marine modes under the family exemption; and  
• 232 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 16 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 6):

• Decrease of 96% in U.S air travellers versus this same period in 2019 (year over year).
• Decrease of 94% of international air travellers arriving from other locations (other than the U.S.) versus the same period last year.
• 686 U.S. citizens and 218 foreign nationals travelling from the U.S. by air were denied entry into Canada.
• 240 foreign nationals from locations other than the U.S. were also denied entry.
• 1,680 air travellers responded positively to health screening questions nationally, and 384 travellers were referred* by the CBSA to a PHAC Quarantine Officer.
• 3,284 asymptomatic travellers referred to PHAC for not having suitable accommodation to quarantine (April 17 – July 6)

Travellers - Land, Rail and Marine Mode (from March 22 – July 6):

• Overall decrease of 87% of highway volumes when compared to this same period last year (year over year).
• Of the 7,565 travellers processed by the CBSA in land mode, 1,579 (21%) were subject to mandatory quarantine orders (July 5).
• The remaining 79% were exempt and fall into the following categories (July 5):
• 3,759 (63%) trade and transport sector (truck drivers, crew on any plane, train or marine vessel);
• 1,065 (18%) cross-border workers (health care sector, critical infrastructure workers);
• 918 (15%) essential services (emergency responders and personnel providing essential services related to the COVID-19 outbreak); and
• 244 (4%) medical deliveries.
• The number of individuals travelling by ferry has decreased by 100%.
• The number of private boaters has decreased by 96%.
• Passenger rail service has been suspended until further notice (decrease of 100%).
• 8,981 U.S. citizens, and 1,169 other foreign nationals, were denied entry due to non-essential travel.
• 971 travellers arriving in land, rail and marine modes responded positively to health screening questions nationally, and 225 travellers were referred by the CBSA* to a PHAC Officer.
• 1,249 asymptomatic travellers referred to PHAC for not having suitable accommodation to quarantine (April 17 – July 6)

*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 6):

• 63 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.
• 254 refugees were admitted into Canada from the U.S. as an exception to the Safe Third Country Agreement.
• 63 foreign nationals were intercepted between ports of entry by the RCMP (irregular migrants) – (between March 21 – July 5)

Canadians turned back at U.S. Border (As of July 6):

• There were 14 Canadians turned back at the U.S. border in air mode for non-essential travel, and 3,825 in land, rail and marine modes.

Commercial Operations – Year over Year data:

• Decrease of 12% in commercial truck traffic (July 6)
• Decrease of 35% total commercial releases (July 5)
• Decrease of 48% in highway releases
• Decrease of 38% in air releases
• Decrease of 10% in rail releases
• Increase of 89% in marine releases
• The service standard for Commercial Border Wait Times (45 minutes) was met 99.4% in the last week.

Border Information Service (on July 5):

• The CBSA’s Border Information Service telephone line is now accessible 24/7 to respond to traveller and business queries.
• 857 calls received
• 60% domestic calls to 40% international
• 95% traveller-related; 5% 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, flagpoling), postal related enquiries (personal and commercial).                

Date modified:

2021-02-03