The pace of activity at the local border crossing remained brisk throughout June.
In the Canadian Border Service Agency's monthly report, it was noted that in June, the port of North Portal processed 16,016 travellers, up slightly from 15,939 in June 2012. There were 10,495 commercial trucks and 8,222 vehicles. Truck traffic was down from 11,994 in June 2012.
At North Portal, 84 people were refused entry into Canada - 65 were for criminal backgrounds.
Among those refused entry was a 35-year-old man from Michigan who stated he was coming to visit family in central Alberta on June 10. During the examination, it was discovered he was actually coming to visit a new employer. He admitted that he was coming to work without a work permit and was refused entry to Canada.
On June 13, a 28-year-old female and a 20-year-old male from Oklahoma were delivering a commercial load to Alberta. They were referred for further examination and officers discovered the female had convictions for domestic assault and battery in the presence of a minor, while the male traveller had been convicted of threatening violence, distributing a controlled substance and assault and battery causing bodily harm. Both were refused entry to Canada.
The next day, the pair made a second attempt to enter, this time at the port of Regway. When questioned, the pair admitted to a previous refusal but said it was because they had forgotten their passports. When officers began the background checks, they admitted to their criminality and knew they could not enter Canada. Both were refused entry to Canada a second time.
A 21-year-old man from Missouri was coming to visit his Canadian fiancé for a two to three month visit and attempted to cross the border on June 16. The man was unemployed, had no place of residence and said he was supported by his parents. During routine checks, officers contacted his fiancé, who said she was not willing to financially support him. He was refused entry to Canada, as the officer was not satisfied he would leave Canada or that he had the means to support himself in Canada.
On June 18, an 82-year-old man from Pennsylvania arrived seeking entry into Canada to transit to Alaska. While he failed to declare any currency, CBSA officers discovered more than $13,000 in his vehicle. Monetary instruments of CAN$10,000 or more must be reported to the CBSA. He was issued a $250 penalty for not reporting the currency in accordance with Canadian law and allowed into Canada.
On June 19, a 62-year-old man from Texas sought entry in transit to Alaska. During examination, background checks revealed a conviction for theft, burglary, larceny and forgery. He was refused entry to Canada and counselled on alternate routes to Alaska that do not require his entry to Canada before returning to the U.S.
A 41-year-old man from South Carolina sought entry in Estevan on June 22. During background checks, CBSA officers discovered the man had more than 30 convictions for grand larceny and issuing bad cheques. He was refused entry to Canada.
On June 25, a 20-year-old boilermaker was coming to work in Alberta. He had all the documents to obtain a work permit, but background checks showed he had been convicted of sexual assault. He was refused entry to Canada.
A 52-year-old male from Saskatchewan returned to Canada on June 29 after purchasing a vehicle in Iowa for $9,000. Officers found the vehicle was actually sold for $13,000. The man was issued a $2,284 penalty. Had he properly declared the purchase price, he would have paid $650.
At the Estevan Highway border crossing, 5,892 travellers were processed, an increase of 10 per cent from 2012 when 5,311 were processed. Commercial truck traffic decreased to 179 from 361.
On June 8, a 29-year-old man working in North Dakota was travelling to the area for the day. The individual had been convicted of two counts of possession with intent to deliver more than two pounds of marijuana, and he was still on probation. Both offences made him criminally inadmissible to Canada and he was refused entry.
On June 23, 26-year-old working in North Dakota was travelling to the local area for the day. Background checks revealed the man was convicted of firing/discharge of a firearm, assault and theft for giving away free items when working. He was refused entry to Canada.
At the Oungre crossing, a 55-year-old North Dakota resident was seeking entry to apply for work in Saskatchewan on June 4. Background checks revealed the man had previous conviction for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamines and received a six-year prison sentence. The man was refused entry and advised he would not be eligible to apply for rehabilitation to overcome his inadmissibility for two more years and was returned to the U.S.
On June 9, a 21-year-old North Dakota man was refused entry for serious criminality. He had convictions for assault, DUI, disorderly conduct and reckless driving. According to court records the man was still on probation for three of the convictions. He was refused entry and counselled how and when he would be considered eligible to apply to enter Canada.
On June 17, a Kansas resident was travelling to a trade show and declared 300 pairs of gloves for display and complimentary samples. Concerned that this was likely a commercial importation, officers conducted a further check to confirm the amount of goods and their value. Officers noted there were 3,870 gloves packed inside 15 garbage bags and five boxes. Each pair was valued at 39 cents, according to an enclosed invoice. The woman apologized to officers and stated she was unaware of the rules for importing into Canada, as this was her first trade show and she didn't realize she needed to have an accurate accounting of her goods. She was issued a $340 penalty, but had she been truthful she would have only paid $75 in GST.
At the Northgate crossing, a 49-year-old Virginia woman walked up to Canada on June 3. She stated was headed to central Saskatchewan for two months to marry her Canadian fiancé, who was accompanying her. During the examination, it was determined she had been convicted for impaired driving on three separate occasions. Her Canadian fiancé also had a criminal record in the United States, including an active warrant for his arrest in the U.S. She was refused entry into Canada and U.S. officials were alerted to the outstanding warrant for her fiancé. They both returned to the U.S.
On June 6, a 37-year-old farmer from North Dakota sought entry to see prototype farming equipment in Saskatchewan. Background checks showed convictions for burglary, theft of property, shoplifting and contributing alcohol to a minor. It was noted that the subject was a registered sex offender, as he was also convicted of having sexual relations with a minor. He was refused entry to Canada.
On June 6, a 43-year-old male from northern Saskatchewan returned to Canada after a trip to Illinois and was importing a vehicle for US$14,650 and a quantity of liquor, tobacco and boat flares. During a secondary exam, it was noted the snow plow in the rear of the truck and an autoscan electrical device had not been declared. These had been purchased for $5,119 and $230 respectively. The man was issued a $1,337.34 penalty for not declaring these items. If he had been truthful he would have paid just $268 in GST.
