Alaska Loophole
Date: July 20, 2020
Classification: Unclassified
Branch/Agency: CBSA
Proposed Response:
- Healthy, asymptomatic foreign nationals, travelling through Canada for non-discretionary purposes, such as to return home to Alaska, may transit through Canada.
- Upon arrival at a port of entry, a traveller seeking to transit through Canada to Alaska will be required to substantiate their purpose for going to Alaska. Only in circumstances where the traveller is considered to be transiting through to Alaska for a non-discretionary purpose will the traveller be admitted to Canada.
- Decisions on admissibility are made by a Border Services Officer, based on the information available to them at time of processing.
- Should a traveller be admitted, they are provided a Public Health Agency Canada handout which indicates that the traveller is not to make any unnecessary stops, and is to avoid contact with others while in transit.
If pressed:
The CBSA is finalizing a robust approach that will be taken to ensure greater compliance and potential enforcement. This approach is expected to be launched the week of July 20.
Background:
Media reports have suggested that foreign nationals are being permitted entry into Canada who, although claiming to be transiting to/from Alaska, are entering for purposes of tourism and travel within Canada. This coverage has suggested that an unknown number of American foreign nationals are not proceeding directly to their stated destination, but are instead engaging in tourism or recreation (e.g. visiting parks or other establishments).
The RCMP have validated a number of related referrals from the general public and have issued fines to U.S. foreign nationals who had indicated upon entry their intent was to transit through Canada to Alaska. While the number of incidents is low, it will be important to address this irritant, especially as COVID-19 cases continue to escalate in the U.S.
Upon arrival at a port of entry (POE), a traveller seeking to transit through Canada is required to substantiate their purpose for going to Alaska. Only in circumstances where the CBSA determines the traveller is transiting for a non-discretionary purpose (i.e. work or going to primary residence) will they be admitted to Canada.
The CBSA requires that these travellers provide and substantiate their intended purpose of travel. When interacting with travellers whose transit to Alaska is non-discretionary, the CBSA provides the PHAC handout, which indicates that the traveller is not to make any unnecessary stops, and avoid contact with others while in transit.
The CBSA is finalizing a robust approach that will be taken to ensure greater compliance and potential enforcement. This approach is expected to be launched the week of July 20.
Contacts:
Approved by: Calvin Christiansen, Director General, Travellers Branch, 613-954-6990
- Date modified: