Update 7/4/24: CBSA workers ratified a new agreement and any strike action has been avoided. The 4 year agreement expires in June of 2016.
If Canadian Border Agents and the government of Canada cannot reach agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement by Tuesday June 12th traffic entering Canada could slow to a crawl.
This does not mean the border will close. Most front-line Border Services Officers are considered to be performing essential services and they must continue to provide uninterrupted border services to protect the safety and security of the public.
However, what they can do is something called “Work-to-rule”. This means that they can follow the exact letter of the law on all rules and regulations in order to slow down traffic. If border agents begin to apply all of the rules within their discretion — such as asking every possible question to each vehicle, impounding vehicles and checking luggage without a search warrant – border wait times will skyrocket. As part of this action, they will not answer questions from travelers about border regulations and will not collect duties or taxes that are owed. This action will have an immediate impact on travelers – especially trucks.
This strike action will impact airports, land borders, commercial shipping ports, postal facilities and headquarters locations.
The last time this happened – in 2022 – the impact was severe.
CBSA Strike Impact on Land Ports of Entry
Peak period delays as long as 4 hours were common at major land border crossings between the U.S. and Canada because of the strike action. High volume ports saw backups lines as long as 5 miles. Be sure to check the real-time traffic reports for the port of entry you are going to use so you are prepared for the delays you may face.
In 2022, border officials asked travelers in personal vehicles the full list of questions from their manuals. This can easily take 5 minutes per vehicle rather than the normal 30 seconds. Be prepared for the border inspection! These questions will include things like whether you have been convicted of a crime, whether you have alcohol, tobacco, food, plants, or animals in the vehicle. You will be asked about the amount of currency you’re carrying. Review our border crossing checklist so you are fully prepared when you arrive at the border.
If you shopped across the border you should expect to have all of your receipts checked closely to ensure you comply with personal exemption limits. If you are travelling with pets, you will most likely be sent for a secondary inspection to examine the animal and all of their health records.
Commercial truckers should be prepared for much longer than normal processing times as Customs officials work through every detail of their checklists.
Airports – Strike Impact on Departing and Arriving Passengers Wait Times
Screening protocols at airports significantly lengthened processing time. If this occurs you should leave for the airport earlier than usual so you arrive with enough time to deal with the longer lines you will face. You should be prepared to answer many more questions than you normally would at security and Customs.
If you are arriving from an international flight you should be prepared for waits as long as 3 hours at Customs and Passport Control as all passengers will be asked the full list of available questions. You may be moved to a holding area if the Customs area is full.
We will update this post with new information as the effects on the border become clear.