Ottawa/CMEDIA: An announcement was made reportedly on Jan 2 by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) on its intention to launch its first preclearance operation in 2025
“demonstrates our shared commitment with the United States to bolster border security…Preclearance is yet another example of how Canada and the United States work together every day…while delivering large-scale economic benefits for Canadians and Americans,” David J. McGuinty, Minister of Public Safety has said.
Supporting the national security and economic prosperity of both Canada and the U.S., preclearance facilitates the secure and efficient movement of people and goods across the border.
This initiative would affect Canadian border services officers working at a shared facility at the Cannon Corners port of entry in New York (adjacent to the Covey Hill, QC port of entry).
The two-year operation would require travellers entering Canada to go through Cannon Corners instead of the Covey Hill port of entry, which will be closed to travellers during that time.
Besides examining travellers and goods at the preclearance site, Canadian officers would also be enabled to decide whether they are admissible into Canada, as they currently do at ports of entry in Canada which includes screening for dangerous goods, such as firearms and drugs, before they leave the U.S.
Officers will be able to conduct most types of immigration processing at this site, but claims for refugee protection cannot be processed at preclearance as travellers seeking refugee protection in Canada will need to use a Canadian port of entry.
Updates on the initiative and launch date will be shared on the CBSA’s website and social media platforms.
