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       RABC resuming July 8
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Date/Time: 03/28/2024 02:12PM
RABC resuming July 8

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Previous Messages:
Author Message Text
plander 07/29/2022 09:03AM
Gaidin53: "They told me my day pass was good for 2 canoes and that I only needed one day pass per day for both canoes.



Ryan"



Glad to know and it makes sense.


A few years ago I was told one seasonal pass per canoe - that they treated the canoe as a vehicle. Maybe given that the seasonal pass isn’t a piece of paper with possible extra copies and no name on it that makes sense? Below is an old seasonal pass. We got them this year as well -they are the same type. If we separated on day trips only one canoe would only have the pass; the other canoe wouldn’t have anything to show. Maybe a pic of the pass and receipt would be good enough? Anyway, I figure better safe than sorry. .


Gaidin53 07/28/2022 11:24PM
They told me my day pass was good for 2 canoes and that I only needed one day pass per day for both canoes.


Ryan
plander 07/28/2022 10:02PM
yellowhorse: "plander: "Gaidin53: "Just got mine back this morning. It took to the morning of the 11th day since I sent it in. So turnaround right now is about 1 1/2 weeks.





Glad I got it since I leave for a BWCA border route trip tomorrow. We can land at Rebecca falls and check them out on our way through Iron Lake. I picked up 2 Quetico day passes for the dates I’d expect to be in the areas I’d want to cross over and check things out on the Quetico side.





Ryan"





How did you secure the day use permits for Quetico? I typically buy a season day use vehicle pass ($75) and would be interested in getting the day use permit for only the days I want to be in Q - maybe cheaper. Thanks."




What does the season day use vehicle pass allow? Day trips into Q on any date all year long?"



Yes. One pass required per canoe. The only way to get a single day use pass is to pick one up from one of the Quetico ranger stations, not so convenient. You can order the seasonal (4/30-11/30) or full year annual vehicle day use pass
online (they mail it to you) and carry it with you - no need to check into a ranger station.
plander 07/28/2022 04:57PM
Gaidin53: "I was standing in the Quetico office at French lake. It was the day I exited Quetico in the north. I was planning on buying vehicle passes which would have been more expensive. They actually had to get the Assistant Park Superintendent out since they weren’t sure how any of it even worked. I figured out my days and they sold me two permits. He signed off on them and then even Hooked me up with a note that said the dates might need to be flexible due to weather and tripping considerations. He knew I was obviously trying to do the right things!



Key thing was I was in a Quetico office.



Ryan"



Cool. I know if you deal with a real person they can and will usually set you up with what you need.
Gaidin53 07/28/2022 02:37PM
Emailed.


Day trips into park is what the vehicle permits allow. Or what I got which is a day use permit or day use entry to Auetico. Grey area was touching land from the South. Now that RABC is reinstated and once you’ve got your RABC you can touch land.


Ryan
campnfish 07/28/2022 01:53PM
Gaidin53: "Just got mine back this morning. It took to the morning of the 11th day since I sent it in. So turnaround right now is about 1 1/2 weeks.



Glad I got it since I leave for a BWCA border route trip tomorrow. We can land at Rebecca falls and check them out on our way through Iron Lake. I picked up 2 Quetico day passes for the dates I’d expect to be in the areas I’d want to cross over and check things out on the Quetico side.



Ryan"



Emailed, or USPS?
yellowhorse 07/28/2022 12:49PM
plander: "Gaidin53: "Just got mine back this morning. It took to the morning of the 11th day since I sent it in. So turnaround right now is about 1 1/2 weeks.




Glad I got it since I leave for a BWCA border route trip tomorrow. We can land at Rebecca falls and check them out on our way through Iron Lake. I picked up 2 Quetico day passes for the dates I’d expect to be in the areas I’d want to cross over and check things out on the Quetico side.




Ryan"




How did you secure the day use permits for Quetico? I typically buy a season day use vehicle pass ($75) and would be interested in getting the day use permit for only the days I want to be in Q - maybe cheaper. Thanks."



What does the season day use vehicle pass allow? Day trips into Q on any date all year long?
Gaidin53 07/28/2022 12:43PM
I was standing in the Quetico office at French lake. It was the day I exited Quetico in the north. I was planning on buying vehicle passes which would have been more expensive. They actually had to get the Assistant Park Superintendent out since they weren’t sure how any of it even worked. I figured out my days and they sold me two permits. He signed off on them and then even Hooked me up with a note that said the dates might need to be flexible due to weather and tripping considerations. He knew I was obviously trying to do the right things!


Key thing was I was in a Quetico office.


Ryan
plander 07/28/2022 11:12AM
Gaidin53: "Just got mine back this morning. It took to the morning of the 11th day since I sent it in. So turnaround right now is about 1 1/2 weeks.



Glad I got it since I leave for a BWCA border route trip tomorrow. We can land at Rebecca falls and check them out on our way through Iron Lake. I picked up 2 Quetico day passes for the dates I’d expect to be in the areas I’d want to cross over and check things out on the Quetico side.



Ryan"



How did you secure the day use permits for Quetico? I typically buy a season day use vehicle pass ($75) and would be interested in getting the day use permit for only the days I want to be in Q - maybe cheaper. Thanks.
Gaidin53 07/28/2022 10:53AM
Just got mine back this morning. It took to the morning of the 11th day since I sent it in. So turnaround right now is about 1 1/2 weeks.


Glad I got it since I leave for a BWCA border route trip tomorrow. We can land at Rebecca falls and check them out on our way through Iron Lake. I picked up 2 Quetico day passes for the dates I’d expect to be in the areas I’d want to cross over and check things out on the Quetico side.


Ryan
Minnesotian 07/25/2022 07:20AM
moosedoggie: "sns: "moosedoggie: "This may seem like a silly question but I want to be sure.
Do I have to print out the application and physicaly sign it?"





That’s what I did; could not get a signature file to work…"




Thanks! That's what I thought but wanted to make sure."



If you have a PDF editor, like Adobe Acrobat, you can use that to sign, date, and initial anything. That is what I did and sent it in. Didn't have to print out the application this way.


When you get the actual permit as an emailed copy, you have to make sure you sign that one, which I did by printing it out.
moosedoggie 07/25/2022 06:13AM
sns: "moosedoggie: "This may seem like a silly question but I want to be sure.
Do I have to print out the application and physicaly sign it?"




That’s what I did; could not get a signature file to work…"



Thanks! That's what I thought but wanted to make sure.
sns 07/25/2022 06:00AM
moosedoggie: "This may seem like a silly question but I want to be sure.
Do I have to print out the application and physicaly sign it?"



That’s what I did; could not get a signature file to work…
moosedoggie 07/25/2022 05:30AM
This may seem like a silly question but I want to be sure.
Do I have to print out the application and physicaly sign it?
sns 07/24/2022 12:43PM
Got mine today; one week turnaround time. Can’t wait…
yellowhorse 07/22/2022 06:47AM

Thanks for the update! This is fantastic news to me; recently returned from the BWCA, and I will not be going there ever again."


What happened?
pcallies 07/15/2022 08:03PM
Banksiana: "pcallies: "Minnesotian: "
Yep, filled out my application this morning and emailed it in. "

I can’t believe you guys are emailing a copy of your passport around the internet. Email is completely insecure and an email bounces across multiple severs before arriving at its destination.



Really, I can’t believe the Canadian government is making email an option. "




You can encrypt your documents if you are so inclined.
"



Yes, and they ask you to include the encryption password in the same insecure email. Sorry, but that’s ridiculous.
Banksiana 07/15/2022 07:52PM
pcallies: "Minnesotian: "
Yep, filled out my application this morning and emailed it in. "

I can’t believe you guys are emailing a copy of your passport around the internet. Email is completely insecure and an email bounces across multiple severs before arriving at its destination.


Really, I can’t believe the Canadian government is making email an option. "



You can encrypt your documents if you are so inclined.
pcallies 07/15/2022 06:53AM
Minnesotian: "
Yep, filled out my application this morning and emailed it in. "

I can’t believe you guys are emailing a copy of your passport around the internet. Email is completely insecure and an email bounces across multiple severs before arriving at its destination.

Really, I can’t believe the Canadian government is making email an option.
Minnesotian 07/14/2022 03:34PM
Spookmeister: "To those of you who emailed a RABC application: did you receive any confirmation that it was received? I did not, and am wondering if I perhaps did something wrong. "


I have not received any confirmation yet after I emailed it in.
Spookmeister 07/14/2022 03:26PM
To those of you who emailed a RABC application: did you receive any confirmation that it was received? I did not, and am wondering if I perhaps did something wrong.
Minnesotian 07/14/2022 12:28PM

Yes. From the Quetico Park website: All Quetico entry stations and entry points are now open.


Source: https://www.ontarioparks.com/park/quetico/alerts
johno 07/14/2022 12:06PM
Does anybody know if the Cache Bay and Prairie Portage ranger stations will be opening this season?
Minnesotian 07/14/2022 09:21AM

Yep, filled out my application this morning and emailed it in.
bobbernumber3 07/13/2022 03:50PM
Banksiana: "... no link is provided."

A link to the Portable Document Format (PDF) of this form is provided below.


Link

Seems to be active and working now.
Banksiana 07/13/2022 03:29PM
They updated the RABC page today, opening for applications.The good news is that you can apply via email. The bad news; they failed to add the promised link to the new form so its not yet possible to actually apply (3:30 7/13). RABC site says "A link to the Portable Document Format (PDF) of this form is provided below." As of this time this statement is incorrect; no link is provided.
marsonite 07/08/2022 05:24PM
I’ve been wondering how this is going to work. When they say they are going to start up the RABC program on July 8, does that mean they’ll start reviewing applications then? When will people be actually receiving them? You’d think the Quetico park would know something…no point in staffing the southern ranger stations until people get their RABC permits in hand. I submitted an app already. I’d like to go August 8 or so. I’m not going to hold my breath though. Might take a while to get it up and running.
Frenchy19 07/08/2022 03:50PM
sns: "They just made a minor change in the last few hours...a banner at the top now says:
"The Remote Area Border Crossing program will resume in July 2022. The CBSA website will be updated once the program has resumed."



The rest appears unchanged."



Thanks for the update! This is fantastic news to me; recently returned from the BWCA, and I will not be going there ever again.
sns 07/08/2022 12:47PM
They just made a minor change in the last few hours...a banner at the top now says:
"The Remote Area Border Crossing program will resume in July 2022. The CBSA website will be updated once the program has resumed."


The rest appears unchanged.
Frenchy19 07/08/2022 11:59AM
Tis July 8 and the RABC site still lists it as suspended.

RABC website
billconner 07/04/2022 12:01PM
campnfish: "billconner: "campnfish: "Make sure you don't test for COVID 10 days prior. Can't see them even caring about arriveCan at ranger station, like I said before we crossed two weeks ago and all they wanted was our passports, nothing to do with COVID or questions regarding, and that was the same back in early June crossing at fort Francis."




Didn't ArriveCAN provide that? Image of vaccination card and your signed statement of no symptoms? When I crossed last week they had that on the screen in front of them, and only needed access."





You could be right, we did have arrivecan filled out on our phones, however they did not ask for the QR code, so possibly with the Passport ID entered in the arrivecan app they can see vaccination status on the computer."



I think they scan your passport and your ArriveCAN data appears on their screen. That might not happen at seasonal entries.
timatkn 07/04/2022 11:13AM
billconner: "As it has evolved, ArriveCAN has become pretty simple and efficient. I don't mind it any longer, having tested positive pre vaccine, with two shots and double boosters and planning on fall booster.



I asked my doc the other day about masks. He predicts forever in medical facilities."



Good to hear your thoughts on the ArriveCAN.
billconner 07/03/2022 02:03PM
As it has evolved, ArriveCAN has become pretty simple and efficient. I don't mind it any longer, having tested positive pre vaccine, with two shots and double boosters and planning on fall booster.


I asked my doc the other day about masks. He predicts forever in medical facilities.
KawnipiKid 07/03/2022 01:44PM
goblu79: "I'm betting you will still have to use ArriveCan to cross the border, as well as the RABC. "


+1


The return of RABC is great news!!
campnfish 07/03/2022 01:22PM
billconner: "campnfish: "Make sure you don't test for COVID 10 days prior. Can't see them even caring about arriveCan at ranger station, like I said before we crossed two weeks ago and all they wanted was our passports, nothing to do with COVID or questions regarding, and that was the same back in early June crossing at fort Francis."



Didn't ArriveCAN provide that? Image of vaccination card and your signed statement of no symptoms? When I crossed last week they had that on the screen in front of them, and only needed access."




You could be right, we did have arrivecan filled out on our phones, however they did not ask for the QR code, so possibly with the Passport ID entered in the arrivecan app they can see vaccination status on the computer.
Pinetree 07/03/2022 12:30PM
portagedog09: "TrailZen: "Just spoke with Canada Border Services Agency who advised that the 'current' RABC application form is BSF 386 E (18), which I downloaded here. Filled mine out for a late-August trip and it goes in tomorrow's mail. Remember to use an international stamp!




TZ"




So CBSA said nothing about proof of vaccination being required? The form has nothing on it...same form as before COVID.



pd"



I still think you need the covid shot.?
billconner 07/03/2022 05:50AM
campnfish: "Make sure you don't test for COVID 10 days prior. Can't see them even caring about arriveCan at ranger station, like I said before we crossed two weeks ago and all they wanted was our passports, nothing to do with COVID or questions regarding, and that was the same back in early June crossing at fort Francis."


Didn't ArriveCAN provide that? Image of vaccination card and your signed statement of no symptoms? When I crossed last week they had that on the screen in front of them, and only needed access.
campnfish 07/02/2022 07:34PM
Make sure you don't test for COVID 10 days prior. Can't see them even caring about arriveCan at ranger station, like I said before we crossed two weeks ago and all they wanted was our passports, nothing to do with COVID or questions regarding, and that was the same back in early June crossing at fort Francis.
Castaway 07/02/2022 04:47PM
flaxman: "Kiporby: "They want proof of vaccination status to grant a RABC. Dumbest thing ever. Both vaccinated and the nonvaccinated are getting the new variants now. To go into the wilderness where I wont see a soul. Lame. Some of us can't get the vaccine. Some of us have had Covid multiple times and have natural immunity. Guess my Quetico days are over thanks to bureaucrats. :("



I do see a line referencing “medical contraindication” so maybe people who actually do have a legitimate medical reason for not being vaxxed can get a doctors note. Otherwise, their country, their rules, and not surprised that they aren’t eager to open their doors to unvaxxed Americans."

+1
flaxman 07/02/2022 03:54PM
Kiporby: "They want proof of vaccination status to grant a RABC. Dumbest thing ever. Both vaccinated and the nonvaccinated are getting the new variants now. To go into the wilderness where I wont see a soul. Lame. Some of us can't get the vaccine. Some of us have had Covid multiple times and have natural immunity. Guess my Quetico days are over thanks to bureaucrats. :("


I do see a line referencing “medical contraindication” so maybe people who actually do have a legitimate medical reason for not being vaxxed can get a doctors note. Otherwise, their country, their rules, and not surprised that they aren’t eager to open their doors to unvaxxed Americans.
Kiporby 07/02/2022 03:06PM
Kiporby 07/02/2022 03:00PM
They want proof of vaccination status to grant a RABC. Dumbest thing ever. Both vaccinated and the nonvaccinated are getting the new variants now. To go into the wilderness where I wont see a soul. Lame. Some of us can't get the vaccine. Some of us have had Covid multiple times and have natural immunity. Guess my Quetico days are over thanks to bureaucrats. :(
GraniteCliffs 07/02/2022 02:42PM
I can tell you how relieved I am over both the RABC news and PP being opened. I was fearful it could have just faded away forever.
My solo is done in the BW. My next group trip is in three weeks so will stick with the BW for that one. But my August trip will give us plenty of time to get the RABC. And ditto for September.
This is a very, very good day and I am grateful to have a few more opportunities to return to the Q before I fade away.
Mocha 07/02/2022 02:17PM
I hope it’s a good experience trying to get it In person than prior to COVID.
billconner 07/02/2022 01:56PM
Thanks! I was hoping I could get one near me - 100 Islands entry. Oh well.
TrailZen 07/02/2022 08:59AM
Argo: "Can't this be done over the internet?"


While ArriveCAN info may be submitted online or by smartphones, the RABC has only been available in person or by mail. As goblu79 has suggested, I suspect we'll be using ArriveCAN along with our RABCs to get into Quetico from the south.


TZ
Argo 07/02/2022 07:15AM
Can't this be done over the internet?
TrailZen 07/02/2022 07:09AM
billconner: "Can you get an RABC in person at other crossings than Neebing (Pigeon River) and Fort Frances?"


The 2018 RABC form I linked above lists 'in person' RABC service at Fort Frances, Rainy River, Pigeon River, Sault Ste. Marie, and Emerson West Lynn ports of entry.


TZ
billconner 07/02/2022 06:38AM
Can you get an RABC in person at other crossings than Neebing (Pigeon River) and Fort Frances?
Ho Ho 07/01/2022 10:48PM
In my experience it takes less than two weeks to get an RABC by mail, but you can't count on it, and for sure it may take longer with the whole program restarting out of the blue.


You can also go in person to some Canadian ports of entry and get it the same day. We did that once at Fort Frances when we forgot to send in our RABC applications in time to get it by mail. Obviously that's not a practical solution for many people, but it is something you can do if you don't get the RABC on time. For those of us who live in NE Minnesota, it might be the best method.


But even if it means we won't be able to access Quetico from the south until August - isn't that cause to celebrate?!? We've waited more than two years. If I have to wait another month, I'm still super excited to be able to go back.
tumblehome 07/01/2022 06:24PM
Here’s the dilemma. RABC has been closed for something like two years so nobody has a valid RABC.


RABC program is reinstated July 8. It takes at least three weeks or a month to get one, so in reality, it won’t do any good until around Aug 8 when people receive their RABC unless I am missing something.


None-the-less, it is very welcoming news indeed that our neighbors to the north are letting Americans back into the southern entries.


I hope to hear trip reports about the extensive burns in the southern Q.


Tom
TrailZen 07/01/2022 05:51PM
toothmiester: "Do you know if Cache bay and Lac La Croix will be open too?"


Per the Park's alert page, Cache Bay & Prairie Portage will open. Nothing on Park website about Lac La Croix, but thought it had been discussed in another thread.


TZ
Gaidin53 07/01/2022 04:09PM
I’ll probably do mine for my family when I go through the border for my Northern entry trip. Most likely on my way out since that is when it should be in full swing. Generally I’ve always mailed them in but since I’m going through the border at Ft. Frances they should be able to do it at the checkpoint.


Ryan
toothmiester 07/01/2022 03:00PM
Do you know if Cache bay and Lac La Croix will be open too?
TrailZen 07/01/2022 12:35PM
BonzSF: "I don’t see PP or Cache Bay on the list of entry points "


Just spoke with Quetico PP folks, who confirmed that Prairie Portage will open this month (but they didn't have official date yet). As noted, several entry points may be accessed from Prairie Portage, which is a ranger station.


TZ
Jackfish 07/01/2022 11:33AM
tumblehome: "BonzSF: "I don’t see PP or Cache Bay on the list of entry points "
Neither of those two are entry points. They are a means of getting to an entry point. "


Here is the map of entry points for Quetico. You can see the specific entry points as they relate to each ranger station.
tumblehome 07/01/2022 09:50AM
BonzSF: "I don’t see PP or Cache Bay on the list of entry points "
Neither of those two are entry points. They are a means of getting to an entry point.
BonzSF 07/01/2022 09:25AM
I don’t see PP or Cache Bay on the list of entry points
Minnesotian 07/01/2022 07:18AM

Well, this is excellent news. And I will really believe it when I see that website updated and I can send in an application.
TrailZen 07/01/2022 06:36AM
This morning I discovered that the Quetico Park's alerts page says "The CBSA webpage will be updated soon with details on how to apply for your RABC permit and new program conditions.

Remote Area Border Crossing permit ."

So the form I posted a link to MAY be revised as the RABC permit is reinstated--think I'll wait a couple days to ensure I send all the proper info...


TZ

LayoverPLEEZ 06/30/2022 08:51PM
Great to hear, thanks! Hope you have an awesome trip this week, and I'll be eager to hear any new updates on the area when you return. Happy trails!
TrailZen 06/30/2022 08:01PM
portagedog09: "TrailZen: "Just spoke with Canada Border Services Agency who advised that the 'current' RABC application form is BSF 386 E (18), which I downloaded here. Filled mine out for a late-August trip and it goes in tomorrow's mail. Remember to use an international stamp!

TZ"

So CBSA said nothing about proof of vaccination being required? The form has nothing on it...same form as before COVID.

pd"

Not in my phone discussion, but I scanned our vaccination cards along with our passports and included with the RABC request.

TZ
goblu79 06/30/2022 07:56PM
I'm betting you will still have to use ArriveCan to cross the border, as well as the RABC.
campnfish 06/30/2022 06:48PM
I had my vaccination status loaded into arriveCan app crossing into Canada a few weeks ago and they never looked at it, only my passport. Maybe it shows on the computer since I loaded it in the app.
portagedog09 06/30/2022 06:33PM
TrailZen: "Just spoke with Canada Border Services Agency who advised that the 'current' RABC application form is BSF 386 E (18), which I downloaded here. Filled mine out for a late-August trip and it goes in tomorrow's mail. Remember to use an international stamp!



TZ"



So CBSA said nothing about proof of vaccination being required? The form has nothing on it...same form as before COVID.


pd
TrailZen 06/30/2022 05:11PM
Just spoke with Canada Border Services Agency who advised that the 'current' RABC application form is BSF 386 E (18), which I downloaded here. Filled mine out for a late-August trip and it goes in tomorrow's mail. Remember to use an international stamp!


TZ
pcallies 06/30/2022 05:03PM
dschult2: "Maybe I'm not reading it right but i
t still shows as suspended to me.
Nevermind, saw it on Facebook. Hope it's true."



If you saw it on Facebook it must be true. ;-)


I had given up hope that RABC would be authorized this year. I won’t really believe it until the official RABC page on the CBSA site is updated, but I am very optimistic now.
dschult2 06/30/2022 04:57PM
Maybe I'm not reading it right but it still shows as suspended to me. Never mind, I saw it on Facebook. Hope it's true.
Ho Ho 06/30/2022 04:16PM
Super exciting! I won't be able to do a Q trip until late August or early September anyway, so lucky for me there's plenty of time to work out the kinks in the revived program. The past two years have been rough not going to Quetico!
sns 06/30/2022 03:55PM
Wow - great news!
Gaidin53 06/30/2022 02:18PM
No, if you are going to Northern Quetico and will pass through a border checkpoint, you will not need an RABC permit.

I’ll be going though some of that area for the first time starting July 3rd.

Ryan
LayoverPLEEZ 06/30/2022 01:52PM
Well, this is literally a day late, as I cancelled my Prairie Portage route to Quetico just yesterday... No worries though, as I'm really excited about our new route starting at Pickerel Lake.

My question for you all is, now do I have to apply (again) for an RABC permit if I'm going through Customs at International Falls, and I have my Quetico permit that I bought yesterday? Thanks!

Also, I'm eager for insight into our route, Pickerel to Deux Rivieres to Sturgeon, Russell, Chatterton, Olifaunt, Bud and out Pickerel. Has anyone ever put in at Stanton Bay vs Dawson Trail? Merci!

Peace, love and canoes!!
pcallies 06/30/2022 12:19PM
From the Quetico Park website Alerts page:

“The Remote Area Border Crossing Program (RABC) is set to resume on July 8, 2022 and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) will begin to accept applications for the program in the coming weeks. The CBSA webpage will be updated soon with details on how to apply for your RABC permit and new program conditions.

Remote Area Border Crossing Permit