I see as of March 17 2022 that Canada has eased restrictions at border crossings and now there is no testing or quarantining required. https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/canpass/rabc-pfre/menu-eng.html I can't see any info on reinstating the RABC program that was suspended back in 2021. Anybody have any info? Time is getting tight for obtaining all necessary paperwork for Quetico by fishing opener.

Lots of speculation about the RABC (check the Quetico forum), but there is no official word on 2022 southern entry into the Q yet.

TZ

It’s unlikely that the RABC permits will be available this year, but here is the website for the latest info.

I called the RABC office today. They said they have not heard anything yet re the RABC suspension order being lifted.
I am still clinging to hope. I guess it is the eternal optimist in me.

GraniteCliffs: "I called the RABC office today. They said they have not heard anything yet re the RABC suspension order being lifted.
I am still clinging to hope. I guess it is the eternal optimist in me. "

What is this number and where are they located?
My buddy is still optimistically planning our travel through the Sand Point customs station on May 15th. I'm feeling more and more like it won't happen...

877-854-7222

schweady: "

GraniteCliffs: "I called the RABC office today. They said they have not heard anything yet re the RABC suspension order being lifted.
I am still clinging to hope. I guess it is the eternal optimist in me. "

What is this number and where are they located?
My buddy is still optimistically planning our travel through the Sand Point customs station on May 15th. I'm feeling more and more like it won't happen...
"

Schweady, be sure to let us know what they say about Sand Point. I'm hoping to travel through customs there on June 19th.

unshavenman: "

schweady: "

GraniteCliffs: "I called the RABC office today. They said they have not heard anything yet re the RABC suspension order being lifted.
I am still clinging to hope. I guess it is the eternal optimist in me. "

What is this number and where are they located?
My buddy is still optimistically planning our travel through the Sand Point customs station on May 15th. I'm feeling more and more like it won't happen...
"

Schweady, be sure to let us know what they say about Sand Point. I'm hoping to travel through customs there on June 19th."

So, I call the number which is apparently Canadian Border Services, Thunder Bay, and (sorry, I forgot to get her name) tells me "We have no idea about that point of entry. I suggest that you call Ottawa - 877-227-5511. And tell them NOT to transfer you to Thunder Bay..." We talk a bit about of Sand Point's usual opening date of May 15th, and she reminds me that "we have no idea, this is a national decision."

So, I call Ottawa. But, the number given to me is for the US Customs & Border Protection Center. A loooong recorded intro and finally 'for English, press 1... for travel, press 1... US citizen, press 5...' Finally, 'to talk to a representative, press 0.' Then, after another long list of options and a few minutes of wait time with some decent jazz, and the representative had no idea even where Sand Point was or how I would get there or "In which state in the United States is this located?" Then, "You need to contact Canadian Customs." I reminded her that I had already talked with the Thunder Bay office, and that they have no idea. I'm put on hold.

After 12-14 minutes of more jazz, we're disconnected.

Calling back, I am told that this is a US office, and I get another number for Canadian Customs - 506-636-5064 and an email - contact@cbsa.gc.ca

So, I call. It's the Canada Border Services Agency's Border Information Service. My iPhone indicates that it is a Saint John, New Brunswick office (?!) 'for English, press 1... to speak with an agent, press 0...' Wait time is spent with classical symphony music.

Jen answers, and she is the most helpful of all, by far. She indicates that "No, the service at this location has been temporarily suspended until further notice." I mention that this wording sounds very familiar and ask whether she is reading directly from a particular web site which I might access myself. "Yes, it's at https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/do-rb/offices-bureaux/303-eng.html And, she assures me that "this site will be updated as soon as a change is made to the RABC program. Sometimes, we only hear about changes the day before they go into effect; sometimes, it's the day of."

So, there you have it. 42 minutes of phone calls boils down to a matter of checking for your self at:
Canada Border Services Agency, Sand Point Lake, Direct Reporting Site for Marine Private Vessel (DRS/M)

It's a site that I have visited multiple times and turns out to be the definitive word on Sand Point's status. I just have to learn not to be so impatient...

I had 2 very similar experiences trying to find out more than what's on that website with the exact same results. The only thing I found was someone telling me it was a staffing issue, but who really knows. Perhaps they feel us dirty Americans will infect their moose with Covid? My plan is to check the site on the 15th and see what it says. It seems a very far off chance that it will open.

Well shoot schweady, thanks for jumping through all of those hoops just to end up back at the starting point! I guess I'll just keep checking the website as well and hope for the best.......

BassmasterP: Perhaps they feel us dirty Americans will infect their moose with Covid? "

Ya, Canada would be great of it wasn't for all them danged Canadians. Jeez!

Every time I see a new post under this RABC thread I get a surge of excitement. Hoping for good news.
And then once again only disappointment.

GraniteCliffs: "Every time I see a new post under this RABC thread I get a surge of excitement. Hoping for good news.
And then once again only disappointment. "

Good to know it’s not just me…

AdamX

GraniteCliffs: "Every time I see a new post under this RABC thread I get a surge of excitement. Hoping for good news.
And then once again only disappointment. "

+1

GraniteCliffs: "Every time I see a new post under this RABC thread I get a surge of excitement. Hoping for good news.
And then once again only disappointment. "

Just like being a MN sports fan...

And I check for updates daily on the Canadian Customs site

GraniteCliffs: "And I check for updates daily on the Canadian Customs site"

Only *once* per day?!? That's willpower.

schweady: "

GraniteCliffs: "And I check for updates daily on the Canadian Customs site"

Only *once* per day?!? That's willpower.
"

I confess. I am retired. I check twice a day.
I also check to try to find a west side BW entry point for July 23. Right now we are left with Angleworm and I would be happy to avoid The Worm if we could.

G. Cliffs-

Trout Lake or Little Vermillion.

I saw the Trout option. I actually grew up on Vermilion just a few miles from the Trout Portage. Once we were in Junior High we could camp alone on Trout. That was in a different world. Was on Trout last year. It looked the same as 60 years ago. Unfortunately this trip is with my
Much younger friends and we travel hard so would feel boxed in unless we went up and down the LIS.

A Little Vermillion permit would allow easy access to the beautiful small lakes below Lac LaCroix that are usually visited from the Little Indian Sioux North entry.

Good news for Sand Point Lake property owners:

"Due to the flooding in the area, a temporary emergency reporting measure is in place until further notice. As such, Sand Point Lake property owners wishing to enter Canada by private boat can call the CBSA at 807-274-5473."

Same source that I have been watching for months:
Canada Border Services Agency