'Quite disappointed': Concerns raised over Ottawa's pause of program letting some cross parts of border freely

Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) recently paused new and renewal applications for a program allowing some people to cross freely over select remote parts of the Canada-U.S. border.

Some permit holders told CBC they felt blindsided by the change and worry about the impact on border-area activities and businesses. 

"I'm just quite disappointed that there was no public announcement to prepare people that they were going to be doing that," said Adrian Tessier, president of Thunder Bay Adventure Trails Snowmobile Club.

The club has a trail that connects to Minnesota at Gunflint Lake, said Tessier, and many snowmobile riders from both sides of the border like to use it. 

Tessier said he hopes the program resumes by the time the trail down to Gunflint Lake opens, which usually is ready by the end of January. 

The Remote Area Border Crossing (RABC) Program allows citizens and permanent residents of Canada and the U.S. to cross the border into Canada in certain remote areas without physically presenting themselves at a port of entry.  The permits can be used at five areas:

• From Pigeon River through to and including Lake of the Woods.
• The Canadian shore of Lake Superior.
• Cockburn Island.
• Sault Ste. Marie (upper lock system).
• Northwest Angle Area.

While existing permit holders can still cross at these areas, permits are only valid for a year. 

"As of Sept. 25, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has paused the processing of new and renewal applications as we work on reviewing and updating our procedures," said the organization in an emailed statement. 

"The CBSA regularly assesses its programs to respond to current service needs and evolving trends, while ensuring the safety, security, and prosperity of Canada."

CBSA did not give an estimate of when new and renewal applications would be accepted again and would not answer CBC's further questions about the circumstances surrounding the "pause." 

The RABC program pause could also impact local economies, said Tessier. 

"Snowmobile riders are a great boon to tourism because they virtually carry nothing with them. They carry a small pack sack and a credit card and they have to buy everything when they get here," he said.

Businesses that sell food, fuel and lodging to snowmobile riders could be missing out on income, Tessier said. 

Donny Sorlie, who owns the Chippewa Inn, said he's also worried about losing business. The boat-access-only lodge is on the Canadian side of Saganaga Lake, but many guests are Americans who use RABC permits to cross the border.

Sorlie said the change blindsided many business owners in the Northwest Angle area.

"I don't think it is fair," Sorlie said. "I do understand it's a huge privilege to be able to go back and forth across the border and not have to go through immigration. ... but I just wish that someone would have said something.

Sorlie, who lives on the American side, said he uses the RABC to boat across the lake to the lodge, which takes about an hour and a half. Without an RABC, he'd have to cross at the Pigeon River Border Crossing. It would involve a drive and portaging his boat, which could add almost ten hours to his commute.

He said he's disappointed the government hasn't shared more info on what's happening with the program.

"We're wondering when and if it's going to happen. I mean, are we going to be able to run a business summer?" said Sorlie. He said he may need to get a second job if the RABC pause deters cabin bookings. 

Sorlie's RABC permit is still valid until Dec. He hopes the RABC resumes before then 

 "We're hopeful it's all going to work out. Otherwise, I don't know what we're going to do."