Canada Border Services Agency has issued a warning about delays and long cross-border wait times for the upcoming Labor Day weekend.
“Travelers are returning to a [Canadian] border that is managed differently, with evolving COVID-19 requirements, which can mean delays during peak periods,” read the CBSA statement. “The CBSA is working with government and industry partners to mitigate long border wait times, but there are also things that travelers can do to make the process easier.”
The government issued the alert to inform travelers of what to expect and to provide tips for better border crossing preparation. Specific recommendations regarding the most recent policies and procedures, as well as necessary and recommended documents, have been shared by the CBSA and other Canadian government agencies.
It’s crucial to plan beforehand whether you’re traveling to Canada for Labor Day by land, sea, or air. Here are the best preparation techniques for entering Canada, whether it is over a busy holiday weekend or on a typical travel day, based on advice from the Canadian government.
Forecast for prolonged delays at Canadian borders
The CBSA based its warning of Labor Day delays at the Canadian border on surging travel demand and changing border crossing standards.
This year, Canadian airports experienced “extreme” wait times at security and customs, particularly at Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ).
The COVID -19 vaccination requirement, random testing, and verification of required documents continue to drag out the process, despite government promises to deploy more staff and simplify border procedures.
Visit the official Government of Canada website at COVID -19 for the latest health standards for entering Canada.
The Government of Canada updates this information table for more than two dozen land border crossings with the latest wait times. The data is updated every hour, every day of the week.
Most Canadian border crossings reported minimal delays on a weekday, but one reported a 50-minute wait. On previous Labor Day weekends, wait times of more than three hours were reported at Canadian land borders.
Prior to a drive, checking the CBSA land crossing delays will help you maximize your crossing time. You can also visit the website several times before your trip to see how long typical waits are on the day of the week and at the time of day you plan to cross the border.