In southern Manitoba, there were 255,175 people processed for entry into Canada travelling in 94,026 vehicles, as well as 24,783 commercial trucks.
Officers finalized 117 permanent resident applications, 132 work permits, 40 temporary resident permits. In addition, eight study permits were granted to foreign nationals entering Canada, while 140 people were refused entry.
Here are a few events from select border crossings in southern Manitoba last month:
Emerson
On July 1, a man arrived at the port claiming he was going to visit Winnipeg for three days for his summer holidays. However, the man had no clear travel plans, no hotel reservations and limited funds. Background checks revealed the man was criminally inadmissible for unlawful use of a bomb and DUI. The man was refused entry and returned to the United States.
On July 4, CBSA officers seized approximately 14 grams of doda, a prohibited addictive opiate, from a pair of commercial drivers. Officers found the brown powdery substance located in a prescription pill bottle in the passenger area of the truck. The drugs were seized and the pair was issued a penalty of $321.
Also on July 4, officers refused entry to a registered sex offender from New York State. The man was travelling to Winnipeg with his Canadian girlfriend to visit and look for work.
On July 5, CBSA officers examined a courier shipment bound for Edmonton that was declared as a sword and knives. While officers did find an admissible sword and knives, they also found prohibited weapons – namely 30 ink pen knives and one can of pepper spray. The prohibited weapons were seized will be destroyed.
On July 7, officers referred a commercial shipment of beauty supplies for examination. Officers were surprised to find 124 gallons of pure acetone. The shipment was held for further examination and analysis as this commodity is a precursor chemical. Officers later determined the importer did not have a license to import and the shipment was exported back to the United States.
On July 17, CBSA officers intercepted six separate courier shipments of a vibration platform exercise machine. Each shipment was properly described, but the value was listed as $99. These units generally retail for $1,699. CBSA refused the entire shipment twice. Finally, the importer provided an accurate bill of sale. The importer was assessed a $2,400 penalty – $400 for each shipment that was not properly declared.
Other Reports
On July 6, officers at Goodlands refused entry to a Pennsylvania man for previous criminal record including break and enter, mischief, assault, five DUIs, and one driving while suspended.
On July 11, officers at Boissevain refused an Oregon man who was coming to work in Manitoba. The man lacked the proper documentation to verify he had the authority to work in Canada.
On July 16, officers at Windygates seized a child seat system. Transport Canada and Health Canada restrict the importation and use of child car seats that do not comply with Canadian standards.
On July 17, officers at Cartwright arrested a returning resident with an outstanding warrant for unpaid child support. The man had fled Canada 10 year ago and had been living in the United States ever since. The man was turned over to local RCMP.
On July 28, officers at Goodlands refused entry to two Minnesota men who were coming to work in construction in Saskatchewan. One man had three convictions for disorderly conduct and one DUI; the other man told officers they were coming to visit when they were in fact coming to work.
On July 28 at Coulter, officers refused entry to a Pennsylvania man who was coming to visit Manitoba. Background checks revealed the man had four DUIs, a disorderly conduct and a reckless driving conviction.
On July 29 at Lyleton, officers seized a restricted five-shot revolver and 1,852 rounds of ammunition from a Kansas man. The man was refused entry into Canada and was issued a penalty of $1,032.
The Canada Border Services Agency is committed to keeping our communities safe. If you have information about suspicious cross-border activity, please contact the Border Watch Line at 1-888-502-9060. For information on CBSA, please call 1-800-461-9999.
