Traffic was steady at the local border crossings in April according to the Canada Border Services Agency monthly report.
According to information from the CBSA, 27,087 travellers entered Canada at the North Portal border crossing in April compared to 29,906 in April 2012 - a nine per cent decrease. There were also 7,457 light vehicles and 10,300 commercial trucks, compared to 7,917 and 11,303 respectively for April 2012.
While traffic was down slightly at the North Portal crossing, there was an increase at the Estevan Highway crossing. The report noted there were 5,247 travellers, which is higher up from the 4,980 recorded in 2012. Of the travellers, there were 962 non-resident travellers compared to 709 in 2012.
Commercial truck volumes dropped sharply to 330 from 608 for the same month last year and vehicles increased slightly to 2,865 from 2,738.
At North Portal, 37 travellers were refused entry, 24 of whom were for criminal reasons and four were non-genuine visitors. Seven travellers at Estevan Highway were refused as well, five for criminal reasons.
Among the highlights at North Portal was an incident on April 4 when a 44-year-old Nebraska man was selected for secondary examination. During the search, CBSA officers located a prohibited .22 calibre rifle, a .243 calibre handgun, a prohibited switchblade and an over-capacity ammunition magazine. The man was arrested while the firearms, knife, magazine and vehicle were all seized. The vehicle was released after a $2,000 penalty was paid and the man was refused entry into Canada.
On April 9, a 45-year-old commercial truck driver entering Canada was found to have had previous criminal convictions for assault, possession of a controlled substance, unlawful use of a weapon and possession of marijuana. The man was counselled regarding regulations as it pertains to entering Canada and was refused entry due to being inadmissible for prior criminal convictions.
A local resident found himself in a spot on April 13 after they were refused entry to the United States by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and then returned to the CBSA in order to re-enter Canada.
Officers determined the 35-year-old had two outstanding Canada-wide warrants and was prohibited from driving in Canada. He was arrested and turned over to Estevan RCMP.
On April 18, a 66-year-old Saskatchewan resident was importing a boom lift from Texas and declared it at US$2,000. CBSA officers determined during an examination the actual value of the boom lift was US$7,475. The man was issued a $3,000 penalty. However, if he had correctly reported the value, he would have paid just $375 in GST.
That same day, a U.S. male was seeking entry with a Canadian and stated they were friends, and he was just entering for a two to three month visit. He was unemployed, had no fixed address and presented no substantial ties to the United States. Officers determined he was a non-genuine visitor to Canada, as he could not provide proof he would leave Canada at the end of the period authorized for his stay. He returned to the U.S.
On April 19, two European foreign workers came to the border to apply for new work permits. Officers determined the pair had been working illegally in Saskatchewan since May 2012. CBSA officers issued removal orders for the pair for working without authorization. They confirmed their departure from Canada on April 27 and are barred from returning for one year.
A 35-year-old male from Idaho arrived at the port on April 23 and was suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol. CBSA officers administered a roadside alcohol screening device, which the traveller failed. The man was arrested for impaired driving and turned over to the Estevan RCMP. He has since returned to the U.S.
On April 26, CBSA officers seized a .22 calibre handgun, a .44 calibre replica handgun, and seven over capacity (30-round) assault rifle magazines. Jeremy Wayne James was arrested for smuggling and turned over to CBSA investigators for criminal prosecution. On April 29, James was sentenced in Regina to time served and a fine of $2,000 for one offence of non-report under the Customs Act.
Making the highlights at the Estevan Highway crossing was a 34-year-old woman who returned to Canada after a brief absence on April 11 and declared US$175 for two separate parcel items. During a routine secondary exam, CBSA officers noted the value was for one parcel, not the second parcel. When asked again, the woman repeated the value for both parcels was $175. Officers then discovered an invoice for an undeclared breathing apparatus, valued at US$3,650. The item was seized and returned to the traveller after a $925 penalty was paid along with $186 in PST. CBSA officers also noted a strong odour of alcohol to which the woman admitted to consuming alcohol. Officers administered a roadside alcohol screening device which resulted in a warning. The woman stayed at the port for an hour and then proceeded into Canada.
On April 13, a U.S. resident sought entry to visit Estevan for the day. Background checks revealed he had been convicted of larceny, receiving stolen property, deliver/manufacture a controlled substance and possession of marijuana. He was found inadmissible due to his criminal record and returned to the United States.
The April report also included highlights from the Oungre, Torquay and Northgate crossings.
At the Oungre crossing on April 3, CBSA officers refused a 59-year-old man from coming to Canada for missionary work after background checks revealed a previous DUI conviction. Without supporting documents to apply for re-entry, the man was directed back to the U.S. and counselled on proper procedures to apply for re-entry in the future.
On April 6, a U.S. man was refused entry for a previous mischief conviction. He returned to the U.S. On April 22, a North Dakota man was travelling to Regina to attend a seminar. He was refused entry as background checks revealed he had convictions for DUI and reckless driving.
On April 26, a North Dakota couple were returned to the U.S. after the husband was advised he was inadmissible to Canada for his criminal record of DUIs and theft. One day later a 40-year-old North Dakota man was coming to Regina for the weekend to visit a friend and admitted to numerous criminal convictions, including: obstruction, theft, drug possession, and multiple failures to appear. He was refused entry and returned to the U.S.
At the Torquay crossing, a 64-year-old Arizona man was refused entry as a non-genuine visitor on April 26. He stated he was visiting Canada but was travelling with all his personal effects, had sold his vehicle and his house and had no ties to the U.S. He was counselled on the required procedures should he wish to apply for re-entry in the future and returned to the U.S.
On April 12 at Northgate, a 41-year-old man working in North Dakota wanted to visit the area for the day as he had never been to Canada. He admitted to drugs and weapons convictions and was still on probation for an assault conviction. CBSA officers refused him entry and as he returned to the U.S. he politely thanked officers for their time, and said he wouldn't attempt to re-enter Canada again.
