Overview: Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security—Study on convoy blockades (February 25, 2022)

Scenario note

General information

On February 17, 2022, SECU adopted the following motion in response to the protests taking place across the country:

That, pursuant to the motion adopted on February 15, 2022, the committee request that the Chair, subject to availability of witnesses, schedule a meeting to hear from the Minister of Public Safety, officials, as well as the Canada Border Services Agency, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Ontario Provincial Police and the Ottawa Police Service the week of February 21, or as soon as possible thereafter should any witnesses not be available that week.

The Minister of Public Safety had originally accepted an invitation to appear before SECU on February 22, 2022, however, due to an emergency that came up the morning of, the meeting was cancelled. The rescheduled meeting is set to take place on Friday, February 25, 2022, from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm. Deputy heads from Public Safety (PS), the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) will appear for the first hour.

The Ontario Provincial Police and the Ottawa Police Service have declined their invitations to appear during the second hour of the meeting. As such, ADM-level officials from PS, RCMP, and the CBSA will appear for the second hour of the meeting to answer questions from SECU members. Officials from the Department of Finance, the Department of Justice and Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) will join PS portfolio officials for the second hour.

Anticipated CBSA involvement

Several technical briefings have taken place on this issue over the last few days where departmental officials, including CBSA, answered questions from parliamentarians. The CBSA only received one question during these technical briefings. It is anticipated that the CBSA's role at SECU will be minimal compared to the other organizations in attendance. The focus of the meeting and the large majority of the questions will likely be directed towards other departmental officials from PS, RCMP, Finance, FINTRAC and Justice.

Logistics

The meeting will take place on Friday, February 25, 2022, from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm, and will be held via videoconference (Zoom platform). IT has confirmed they will be onsite to support the President and other officials in the office. House of Commons technical staff will likely contact all witnesses to run an A/V test. Note that all officials appearing at committee will need a wired headset with boom mic.

Opening remarks

At the beginning of the meeting, the Chair will invite the Minister to deliver five-minute opening remarks. Deputy heads from the portfolio agencies are not required to deliver opening remarks.

Rounds of questioning

At the Chair's discretion, questions from committee members will proceed as follows:

• First round: 6 minutes for each party in the following order: CPC, LPC, BQ, NDP
• For the second and subsequent rounds: CPC, 5 minutes; LPC, 5 minutes; BQ 2.5 minutes and NDP 2.5 minutes; CPC, 5 minutes ; LPC, 5 minutes

Appearing

12:30 pm to 1:30 pm

Hon. Marco Mendicino, P.C., M.P., Minister of Public Safety

Witnesses

12:30 pm to 1:30 pm

• Canada Border Services Agency
  John Ossowski, President
• Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
  Rob Stewart, Deputy Minister
• Royal Canadian Mounted Police
  Brenda Lucki, Commissioner

1:30 pm to 2:30 pm

• Canada Border Services Agency
  • Scott Harris, Vice-President, Intelligence and Enforcement Branch
  • Denis Vinette, Vice-President, Travellers Branch
• Department of Finance
  • Richard Bilodeau, Director General, Financial Institutions Division, Financial Sector Policy Branch
  • Julien Brazeau, Director General, Financial Crimes and Security Division, Financial Sector Policy Branch
• Department of Justice
  Samantha Maislin-Dickson, Assistant Deputy Minister, Public Safety, Defence and Immigration Portfolio
• Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
  Talal Dakalbab, Assistant Deputy Minister, Crime Prevention Branch
• Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada
  Barry MacKillop, Deputy Director, Intelligence
• Royal Canadian Mounted Police
  • Dennis Daley, Assistant Commissioner, Contract and Indigenous Policing
  • Michael Duheme, Deputy Commissioner, Federal Policing

Key messages

1. The CBSAs management efforts at the border

We are continually evaluating the evolving situations at our different ports of entry (POEs) to ensure protections are in place for the safety and security of the public and our employees and to support the continuous flow of legitimate goods and people. We are working closely with local law enforcement to assess the risk factors and make adjustments as necessary.

Impacts of blockades on trade and POE operations

The public assemblies required the CBSA to mobilize and re-deploy its frontline resources at impacted POEs and at alternate processing sites. This is ongoing as the activity landscape is evolving across the country.

CBSA regional management implemented contingency plans at POEs to ensure continuity in cross-border trade during the blockades and for border operations to return to normal as soon as blockades were lifted.
This included reinforcement of officer presence at POEs that saw a spike in traffic as a result of blockades at nearby POEs, particularly in the Manitoba area (resulting from Emerson blockade), Alberta (due to Coutts blockade) and Southern Ontario Region (due to Ambassador Bridge closure).

The CBSA also re-deployed officers as needed to alternate sites and within and across regions to ensure readiness and operational capacity to handle volume spikes and localized increases resulting from assembly activity and/or business resumption as the activity landscape evolved.

Assemblies at the major POEs at the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor, Ontario; Emerson, Manitoba; Coutts Alberta and Pacific Highway in British Columbia required the CBSA to suspend services.

In addition, there were 12 public assemblies that directly impacted POE operations. At two locations, [Redacted] participants breached the confines [Redacted] resulting in CBSA officers locking down the office to prevent intruders from gaining entry.

The impact of the blockades on trade was broader than just re-directing commercial traffic to other POEs. When commercial vehicles were unable to access a POE, they redirected to another POE. Extended border wait times at alternate sites resulted in delays in delivering goods. The blockades impeded critical supply chains for essential goods, services and resources which are particularly harmful as the country works to recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Protection of critical infrastructure

The Emergency Measures Regulations enabled certain designated public places to be secured, including POEs, customs offices and other critical infrastructure and government buildings.

POEs are secure, controlled areas. It is an offence to hinder the ability of a BSO while they carry out their work.

The CBSA has a legal obligation to ensure the health and safety of its employees and persons under its care and control. The Agency also has an interest in protecting its facilities, in the interest of continuity of its service to the public. Should there be reason to believe that buildings or offices and travellers or employees are at risk of physical damage or harm, the CBSA will work closely with law enforcement partners to protect the integrity of its facilities and the safety of all people within.

Securing of trade corridors

The CBSA is collaborating with police forces of jurisdiction and provincial/municipal officials to ensure the integrity of essential transportation and trade corridors.

This is being achieved through effective traffic management, close monitoring by police and, if necessary, the temporary erection of physical barriers or other equipment to prevent vehicles from conducting an unlawful blockade.

The CBSA is partnering with local officials to ensure that border traffic receives priority until such time as the threat to international trade has subsided.

2. The Emergency Measures Regulations provided the CBSA with necessary and essential authorities to manage the situation

The new authorities that supported CBSA management efforts at the border were the prohibition on entry by foreign nationals who were seeking to participate in prohibited public assemblies and resulted in automatic imposition of conditions requiring compliance with regulations made under the Emergencies Act on all temporary residents. Though the Emergency Measures Regulations did not give the CBSA new authorities with respect to goods, CBSA officers may have relied on their authorities under the Customs Act to detain goods while confirming with the police whether their importation was prohibited under the Criminal Code due to a contravention of the Emergency Measures Regulations.

New authorities

The CBSA exercised its authorities provided under the Emergency Measures Regulations and denied entry to foreign nationals who were attempting to enter Canada to participate in prohibited public assemblies.

CBSA officers received instructions on administering the new regulations and may have refused entry to any foreign national who enters Canada to participate in or facilitate a prohibited public assembly.

CBSA officers were not engaged in law enforcement activities that extended beyond their current authorities. Municipal by-laws, provincial regulations and breaking up the prohibited public assemblies were beyond these authorities.

As always, CBSA officers across the country continued to be vigilant to ensure that all requirements, including those in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, Customs Act and Quarantine Act, were met and that anyone who was seeking to enter Canada was doing so for lawful reasons.

Impacts of repealing the Regulation

Since the Emergency Measures Regulations were repealed on February 23, the CBSA lost its authorities to deny access to otherwise admissible foreign nationals seeking entry to Canada to participate in prohibited public assemblies. Moreover, imported goods supporting such prohibited public assemblies are no longer be able to be detained at the border based on contravention of the Emergency Measures Regulations and prohibited importation under the Criminal Code.

3. Engagement with partners

The CBSA, with law enforcement partners and with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (U.S. CBP) at the local and regional levels, continues to adjust operations as the threat environment changes.

The CBSA has embedded management representatives within the law enforcement incident command structure where activities were/are underway or where they are planned. The CBSA has shared available intelligence with its partners and has taken steps to enhance vigilance at POEs through increased examinations and physical security of offices.

The CBSA and U.S. CBP meet daily at the operational level and senior management level to discuss the coordination of alternate ports/diversion/expanded hours of operations, the processing/facilitating of live animals and discuss roles and responsibilities at the border.

The CBSA engaged law enforcement partners at the highest risk POEs along the Canada/U.S. border. We established senior level coordination points with the police of jurisdiction to share information concerning public assemblies to aid in the development of operational plans to mitigate and respond to impacts to the border.

4. Disruptions due to blockades

The CBSA continues to collaborate with law enforcement partners and remains ready to respond to any events that may impede operations at POEs in the future.

The CBSA continuously monitors its operations and is ready to respond, with police of local jurisdiction if necessary, to any events impeding operations at POEs.

Trade and transportation within Canada and between Canada and the U.S. is highly integrated. Border crossings, railway lines, airports and other POEs are integrated and are adversely affected where one or more of the components is blockaded or prevented from operating under normal capacity.

Blockades and other activities at numerous points along the Canada-U.S. border had an impact on Canada's economy. Prohibited public assemblies at major POEs such as the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor, Ontario; Emerson, Manitoba; Coutts Alberta and Pacific Highway in British Columbia required the CBSA to suspend services.

The closure of, and threats against, crucial POEs along the Canada-U.S. border not only had an adverse impact on Canada's economy, it also imperiled the welfare of Canadians by disrupting the transport of crucial goods such as medical supplies, food and fuel across the Canada-U.S. border.

5. Current status of blockades

The CBSA is continuing to monitor the border to limit the impact of these blockades on Canadian families. As of February 21, 2022, all POEs are open and no operational impacts are reported nationally. As of February 24, 2022, two public assembly sites at proximity of a POE remain:

• Coutts (18 kilometer North of POE)
• Northgate (adjacent to POE)

The CBSA monitors changes in demand at POEs and allocates resources, adjusts staffing levels and hours of service (if needed) to minimize processing times and potential delays.

The CBSA will continue to inform Canadians of any border traffic disruptions, so the public and businesses can make alternate travel arrangements when necessary.

For information related to blockades or disruptions on roads and highways surrounding a POE, travellers should contact the police of jurisdiction for details. For questions related to entry to the U.S., travellers should reach out to the U.S. CBP directly.

Timelines at POEs

On February 14, 2022, the federal government declared a public order emergency. The Emergency Measures Regulations came into force on February 15, 2022. On February 23, 2022, the declaration of a public order emergency was revoked and all authorities granted under the Emergency Measures Regulations ceased to have effect. Furthermore, the Operational Bulletin to BSOs clarifying authorities under the Emergency Measures Regulations was rescinded on the same day.

Coutts, Alberta: Though blockades impeded traffic since January 29, 2022, the POE was temporarily closed from February 12 to February 14, 2022 where traffic and commercial vehicles were re-routed to alternate POEs.

Ambassador Bridge, Ontario: Significant activities around the bridge caused the bridge to be closed to all traffic and POE services were temporarily suspended from February 7 to February 13, 2022. During this time, traffic and commercial vehicles were re-routed to Blue Water Bridge in Sarnia, Peace Bridge, Fort Erie and Queenston Bridge in Niagara Falls, Ontario. POEs where traffic was re-routed experienced significant border wait times. On February 14, 2022, the blockade was dispersed and the POE was opened to traffic and commercial vehicles.

Pacific Highway, British Columbia: The POE was closed and traffic and commercial vehicles were re-routed to alternate POEs on February 12, 2022. On February 15, 2022, the blockade was dispersed and the POE was opened to traffic and commercial vehicles. On February 19, 2022, the Pacific Highway POE was once again temporarily closed for several hours due to RCMP activities on roads leading to the POE.

Emerson, Manitoba: Traffic and commercial vehicles were re-routed to alternate POEs and the border was closed on February 10, 2022. The blockade was dispersed on the afternoon of February 16, 2022 and the POE was re-opened to traffic and commercial vehicles.

Questions and answers

1. What new authorities did the CBSA have under the Emergencies Act and Emergency Measures Regulations?

The Emergency Measures Regulations provided the CBSA with additional and necessary authorities to manage the situation.

The prohibition on entry to non-exempted foreign nationals who were seeking to participate in or facilitate a prohibited public assembly, and the automatic imposition of conditions via the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations requiring compliance with the Emergency Measures Regulations on all temporary residents, provided the CBSA authority to take action and give effect to the entry prohibition.

Since the Emergency Measures Regulations were repealed, the CBSA can no longer deny entry to Canada to otherwise admissible foreign nationals seeking entry to participate in or facilitate public assemblies (the nature of which were prohibited by the Emergency Measures Regulations).

Though the Emergency Measures Regulations did not give the CBSA new authorities with respect to goods, CBSA officers could have relied on their authorities under the Customs Act to detain goods while confirming with the police whether their importation was prohibited under the Criminal Code due to a contravention of the Emergency Measures Regulations.

2. Did more powers through the Emergency Measures Regulations assist border services officers, or did that remain the authority of the police of jurisdiction?

The Agency has clear authorities which are exercised at ports of entry (POEs) and other border locations (warehouses, customs controlled areas). The CBSA will continue to support its law enforcement partners, as we have always done.

The enactment of the Emergency Measures Regulations engaged existing authorities under which CBSA officers may refuse entry to foreign nationals arriving in Canada with the intent to participate in or facilitate a prohibited assembly. Foreign nationals who were seeking to enter Canada for those purposes could have been denied entry at a POE. There were limited exemptions to the prohibition on entry for specified classes of foreign nationals. Those exemptions included persons registered under the Indian Act and protected persons under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA).

It should be noted that CBSA officers already have the authority to deny entry to any person who does not meet the requirements under the IRPA to enter and/or stay in Canada. All foreign nationals, including U.S. citizens, must also meet all entry requirements as set out in the Quarantine Act's Orders in Council related to COVID-19 before being authorized to enter Canada. Under the Emergency Measures Regulations, the intention to engage in prohibited demonstrations, by itself, formed a basis for the CBSA to deny entry to travellers.

Additionally, the Criminal Code prohibits the importation of goods obtained or derived from the commission of an offence, and under the Emergency Measures Regulations, it is an offense to collect goods in support of unlawful demonstrations. CBSA officers were able detain such goods under existing authorities. These authorities are exercised on a case-by-case basis.

3. Since the Emergency Measures Regulations were repealed, what options does the CBSA have under its existing authorities?

In absence of the Emergency Measures Regulations, the CBSA cannot prohibit the entry of foreign nationals solely because they wished to enter Canada to participate in or facilitate a public assembly the nature of which was prohibited by the Emergency Measures Regulations.

The CBSA can no longer deny entry to Canada to otherwise admissible foreign nationals seeking entry to participate in protest activities the nature of which were prohibited by the Emergency Measures Regulations. Imported goods collected to support prohibited assemblies can no longer be detained at the border as their importation is no longer prohibited under the Criminal Code.

The CBSA has authorities under the IRPA to refuse entry to foreign nationals who are inadmissible to Canada, including for reasons of misrepresentation, criminality or non-compliance. When examining inadmissible foreign nationals, CBSA officers have several options:

In addition, CBSA officers have the authority to administer the Orders in Council (OICs) made pursuant to the Quarantine Act, which prohibit entry to foreign nationals who are not fully vaccinated, do not have a suitable pre-arrival COVID-19 molecular test, or if they have signs or symptoms of COVID-19, suspect they have COVID-19 or know they have COVID-19. Foreign nationals who are prohibited entry and who arrive from the United States are immediately directed back to the United States for as long as they are in non-compliance with the OICs. For example, unvaccinated foreign nationals who are directed back may return to the POE to seek entry again upon receiving their full dose of an approved vaccine regimen and the required amount of time has lapsed since their last dose.

Similar to the Emergency Measures Regulations, IRPA and Quarantine Act authorities do not apply to individuals with a right of entry to Canada (Canadian citizens, permanent residents and those registered under the Indian Act).

It is important to note that the CBSA did not have any new powers to detain or seize goods under the Emergency Measures Regulations as it did not include a provision that prohibits the importation of goods (specific goods or a general category of goods). Therefore, the same framework as before applied in respect of the treatment of goods being imported. Pursuant to section 101 of the Customs Act, border services officers (BSO) may temporarily detain goods until they are satisfied that the goods have been dealt with in accordance with the Act or any other Act of Parliament, and regulations made under those Acts. In this situation, if goods being imported had been collected to facilitate a prohibited assembly contrary to the Emergency Measures Regulations, then this may contravene the Criminal Code, and the CBSA could have detained those goods pending a decision on the Criminal Code contravention.

4. Did the CBSA exercise new authorities to turn people away?

Yes, we used the new authorities to turn people away from the border when they were still in effect.

The enactment of the Emergency Measures Regulations meant that CBSA officers may have refused entry to foreign nationals arriving in Canada who intended to participate in or facilitate a prohibited public assembly.

In Canada, foreign nationals who were identified and referred to the CBSA by police for contravening the Emergency Measures Regulations may have been subject to inadmissibility reports and removal from Canada.

There were some limited exemptions to prohibiting entry. These were for specific classes of foreign nationals, including people registered under the Indian Act, and protected persons as defined under the IRPA.

Guidance was provided to BSOs on the prohibition on entry by foreign nationals contained in the regulations.

We should note that BSOs already have the authority to deny entry to anyone who does not meet the requirements to enter and/or stay in Canada under the IRPA and the Quarantine Act, as well as a person or any person in a class of persons whose presence in Canada, as determined by the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration or the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, is in the national interest.

5. The Prime Minister has said that the CBSA has refused entry to individuals trying to enter Canada to participate in the protests. Where and how many?

That is correct – when the Emergency Measures Regulations were still in effect, the CBSA denied entry to foreign nationals who were seeking to enter Canada to participate in the demonstrations.

Using existing enforcement authorities, as well as those that were provided by the Emergency Measures Regulations, the CBSA directed some foreign nationals back to the United States. In other cases, travellers chose to leave Canada voluntarily (called an "allowed to leave").

While the Emergency Measures Regulations were in effect, the intention to participate in or facilitate prohibited public assemblies provided a basis for the CBSA to deny entry to foreign nationals.

While we can't speak to specific cases, we can tell you that the admissibility of a foreign national was decided case-by-case using the information available at the time of entry.

6. What is the CBSA doing to protect its assets (such as its offices and buildings)? What new steps is the CBSA taking to protect its POEs, as critical infrastructure, with this enactment?

We are continually evaluating the evolving situations at our POEs to ensure protective measures are in place. These measures provide for the safety and security of the public and our employees while supporting the continuous flow of legitimate goods and people.

The Agency monitored changes in demand at identified alternate POEs and allocated resources, adjusted staffing levels and hours of service when needed at the affected POEs to minimize processing times and potential delays.

We worked with law enforcement partners to restore normal border operations at affected POEs as quickly as possible. We will continue to collaborate with our partners and deal with potential future blockades accordingly.

CBSA POEs are secure, controlled areas. It is an offence to hinder a BSO's ability to carry out their work.

The CBSA has a legal obligation to ensure the health and safety of its employees and persons under its care and control. The Agency also has an interest in protecting its facilities, in the interest of continuity of its service to the public. Should there be reason to believe that buildings or offices and travellers or employees are at risk of physical damage or harm, the Agency will work closely with law enforcement partners to protect the integrity of its facilities and the safety of all people within.

7. What is the CBSA doing at POEs that will ensure the integrity of our borders going forward?

Although all of the CBSA's impacted POEs have now re-opened, the CBSA continues to adjust operations as the threat environment changes in collaboration with law enforcement partners and in close consultation with U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the local and regional levels.

The CBSA has embedded management representatives within the law enforcement incident command structure where unlawful protests are underway or are planned. The CBSA has shared all available intelligence with our partners and has taken steps to enhance vigilance at POEs through increased examinations and increased physical security of offices.

[Redacted]

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8. What did BSOs do if they believed foreign nationals were making false statements and were in fact entering Canada to participate in the protests?

BSOs are highly trained to interview travellers. When examining travellers at the POE, BSOs use a number of databases, as well as their skills in interview techniques, document verification and observation to confirm whether a foreign national meets the requirements to enter Canada.

If the foreign national is inadmissible to Canada (for example, for non-compliance, misrepresentation or criminality), they may be refused entry and even removed from Canada.

9. What are the repercussions for hindering the work of a BSO?

Anyone who hinders or obstructs an officer in the performance or course of their duties may be arrested by the CBSA and could face criminal charges.

10. Is the CBSA aware of foreign nationals who may have been participating in the unlawful protests?

Our law enforcement partners have not yet made any referrals to the CBSA regarding foreign nationals partaking in illegal activity associated with the prohibited public assemblies.

Foreign nationals in Canada who are convicted of an indictable offence, such as those listed under the Emergency Measures Regulations, may be found inadmissible to Canada and subject to removal if they are referred to the CBSA by local law enforcement authorities.

11. As armed peace officers, were CBSA officers be asked to support other law enforcement agencies in enforcing municipal by-laws or provincial regulations, or in helping break up protests, etc… either at POEs or in nearby communities?

CBSA officers have clear authorities which are exercised at POEs and other border locations (such as warehouses and areas controlled by customs). CBSA officers will continue to support their law enforcement partners, but they were not engaged in law enforcement activities that extended beyond their already-existing authorities.

12. Were any CBSA officers identified as Freedom Convoy participants? What is the Agency's position in this case?

All allegations of improper or illegal behaviour by CBSA employees are taken very seriously and are thoroughly investigated and acted upon accordingly. Each case is assessed to determine the appropriate disciplinary measure, up to and including termination for misconduct.

CBSA employees are expected to ensure that their comments and behaviour – in both their personal and public lives – do not impair, or are not perceived as impairing, their ability to perform their duties impartially as public servants.

This ensures they do not:

• undermine or compromise the integrity or security of CBSA operations, its employees, or national security
• conflict with their ability to carry out their duties; or
• impair the CBSA's ability to carry out its mandate

If a CBSA employee is found to be involved in criminal activity, they may be subject to prosecution, as would any individual.

13. Does the CBSA have any contracts with organizations that supported the Freedom Convoy?

The CBSA has a rigorous contracting process and follows all government of Canada contracting policies and procedures when awarding contracts.

Before any contract is awarded, the Agency evaluates the company's ability to provide the goods or services required using pre-determined criteria. A security evaluation is also part of the process and companies are excluded if they have been convicted of illegal activity, in alignment with government of Canada contracting policy.

The contracts outline detailed terms and conditions that companies must follow in order not to default. The companies are expected to abide by the terms and conditions of their contracts. The CBSA does have the option to terminate contacts if it is discovered that a company has engaged in illegal activities.

14. Were BSOs fully briefed on their new powers under the Emergencies Act?

Directions on how to exercise new authorities under the Emergency Measures Regulations when they were still in effect were provided to officers across the country through daily shift briefings, updated guidance documents, and other opportunities.

15. Could BSOs have refused entry or arrested Canadian citizens who are coming back into Canada to participate in the protests?

The CBSA cannot refuse entry to anyone with a right of entry, such as Canadian citizens, permanent residents or those registered under the Indian Act.

When processing travellers seeking entry to Canada, CBSA officers assess all the facts of a specific case and exercise their powers accordingly, working in collaboration with local law enforcement partners.

16. The CBSA stated on January 13 that truckers were still going to be exempt from the requirement to be vaccinated. It was corrected by Ministers who stated that the exemption would end on January 15 as previously announced. Can you give us more information about what happened and the impact?

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is responsible for the Quarantine Act and Orders that outline traveller's obligations. We work in close cooperation to implement the measures put in place by PHAC.

The communication you are referring to was corrected within a few hours and teams were in touch with industry representatives quickly to ensure they had the correct information.

To be clear, since January 15, all truck drivers with a right of entry who are not fully vaccinated are required to quarantine upon their return and undergo COVID-19 tests (and as of January 22, they are not eligible to enter the U.S.).

Furthermore, as of January 15, foreign national truck drivers who are not fully vaccinated are not eligible to be admitted into Canada.

Our experience to date with changes at the border is that there is a transition over the initial days where travellers and commercial traffic adapt to the new measures. It is fair to say that after the transition phase passed, the volume returned to what we have seen for the same period over the last years (approximately 100,000 truck drivers in a week). Latest stats:

17. Did the CBSA have a role in flagging financial accounts of "designated persons" under the Emergency Economic Measures Order (EEMO)?

As per the EEMO, it would have been up to the financial institution, which might have become aware of a "designated person" under the EEMO from the RCMP, to flag accounts.

The CBSA did not make a determination as to whether someone was a designated person for the purposes of the EEMO as that would have been done by the police of jurisdiction.

Admissibility of all foreign nationals seeking to enter Canada is decided on a case-by-case basis and based on the information made available at the time of entry. Several factors are used in determining admissibility into Canada, including involvement in criminal activity, in human rights violations, in organized crime, security, health or financial reasons.