Just got a text from the resort we stay at in Ontario… apparently Canadian border workers have voted to strike. He said June 15 but that seems to be uncertain. Most workers are deemed essential meaning they can’t actually not come to work, but the thought is that those who are forced to come to work will work “to rule” — meaning they will follow every last policy to a T, slowing border crossings significantly and applying pressure on the government to bend.

Also apparently the folks who process RABCs are not among those “essential” workers. Glad we got ours early this year!

Hmmm, my plan is to cross back into the US on the 16th. But I guess this might not affect escapees?

I'm not sure I would consider it a great shame if I had to bide a little longer in Canada. Just earlier today I saw that work pressure won't be bad next week and extended my trip by one day earlier. Dangit that felt good. :)

I saw this and was wondering about it. We’re going in at Beaverhouse so would be crossing in International Falls/ Ft. Frances. Hopefully it gets resolved though. We already have RABC’s and could change to a southern entry but don’t really want to change the plan with shuttles arranged. We’ll probably just try to go through super early if we can.

Ryan

After reading a couple of new articles on this, I'm getting a sinking feeling . . . "early to mid June" is given as potential start times for a strike.

About to poke around and see what kind of BWCA permits might be available for backup.

According to THIS ARTICLE Customs agents at borders are considered essential and will remain working. With that, if they strike, and those border workers still have to come in:

There will be many ‘sick’ employees.
Border crossings will move at a snails pace.
Be prepared for a long wait.

They have been without a contract for two years.
Tom

Which crossing (IF vs PR) would be a better crossing if this strike occurs?

AmarilloJim: "Which crossing (IF vs PR) would be a better crossing if this strike occurs?"

Probably neither. Both can be choked with vehicles even on a good day.

Tom

Latest I can gather from the news (hopefully real news) is that the strike is "on hold" until Wed. 5, at which point I hope to be far on the other side of a sizeable lake.

https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/sustainable-finance-reporting/canada-border-worker-strike-hold-mediation-union-2024-06-07/

Already had to delay my trip four days due to a minor emergency here at home, so this is a relief to hear.

I would suggest consulting local news sources such as CTV or CBC for more timely info.

I crossed here in NY Wednesday and only one lane open as opposed to usual 2 or 3 (out of 7 or 8). Long line of cars. Would guess this was an effect of the labor action.

Thank you Argo; a CBC link was in fact one of the many resources I perused this morning. For now, they seem to be saying the same thing as Reuters.

We passed through International Falls on the way back to Minnesota from Canada today June 9th and there was almost no wait to get into Canada. We traveled into Canada through International Falls on June 1st and the wait was 45 minutes to enter Canada which is somewhat normal. We spoke with others in Quetico that waited 1 hour to cross into Canada on June 8th but even that seems normal for a Saturday. So, in my opinion, it doesn't seem like much of an increase in wait times to cross into Canada so far.

I went through International Falls on June 3rd and I had little to no wait to get through Canadian Customs. I just came back through there yesterday and I didn't see any cars waiting to get into Canada. That was around 11am or so. I just heard on the radio that the border/customs workers reached a tentative deal with the Canadian government to avoid a strike. Hopefully, this issue is now resolved.