Ottawa, Ontario
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) reminds travellers that the Labour Day long weekend can be extra busy at the border. It's the time of year when Canada welcomes many international students, returning residents as well as travellers enjoying the last long weekend of summer.
Every day, the CBSA works hard to protect Canadians, support the economy and ensure the safe and efficient movement of people and goods across our borders. In 2023, we welcomed over 86 million travellers and intercepted more than 72,200 kg of prohibited drugs, cannabis, narcotics, and chemicals, representing an increase of close to 30% from 2022.
The CBSA dedicates significant efforts to planning and preparing for peak periods, including long weekends and summer months. We monitor traveller volumes and plan to minimize border wait times at land ports of entry and at international airports, without compromising safety and security.
Here are some tips to help you plan for your trip:
- Check border wait times and expect delays.
- Early mornings are the best time to cross the border to avoid wait times.
- The Monday of holiday long weekends tend to be the busiest.
- Consider an alternative port of entry with shorter wait times or less traffic.
- Check the port of entry's hours of operation on the official CBSA Directory of Offices and Services.
- If you are using a GPS application (such as Google Maps, Apple Maps or Waze) to direct you to a port of entry, consider checking different navigation options (such as fastest and shortest routes) to determine the preferred route of travel.
- Have your travel documents handy. This will speed up processing times at the border.
- Be prepared to declare. Declare everything you have with you upon entry into Canada. If arriving by land, you are responsible for everything inside your vehicle. If you are the operator of a boat entering Canadian waters with the intent to disembark, you are responsible for reporting your goods on board.
- Travelling with children? When travelling with a child who is not your own or for whom you don't have full legal custody, we recommend you have a consent letter from the parent or legal guardian authorizing you to travel with the child. We are always watching for missing children, and in the absence of the letter, officers may ask additional questions.
- Travelling with pets? Pets must meet specific requirements to enter Canada. Review Importing and travelling with pets
