Read it and weep. For how long, nobody knows today.

Canada Hits Pause on RABC Permits for Boundary Waters Region

Crap. I always feared this could happen. We can only hope this is a pause and not a permanent end.

Posted this in the general discussion as well.

That’s concerning. I’m hoping this is the case:

“Martel said the pause in processing permits is so that the agency can ‘work on reviewing and updating our procedures.’ When asked to clarify what that statement means, Martel did not respond as of the time this article was published.”

I’ll be the first to say that their system of procedures for processing and communication decisions is horribly inefficient. So if this is about taking a breather to fix that, it could be a positive move.

At risk of politicizing this, am I the only one that suspects this is partly a response to proposed border tightening?

billconner: "At risk of politicizing this, am I the only one that suspects this is partly a response to proposed border tightening?"

I think this is more likely related to a general tightening on the part of Canada. They have made some moves this year with respect to immigration that could fairly be characterized as a policy shift.

Trudeau announces sharp cuts to Canada's immigration targets

gravelroad: "

billconner: "At risk of politicizing this, am I the only one that suspects this is partly a response to proposed border tightening?"

I think this is more likely related to a general tightening on the part of Canada. They have made some moves this year with respect to immigration that could fairly be characterized as a policy shift.

Trudeau announces sharp cuts to Canada's immigration targets "

Crossing the border for the purpose of recreation or to reach property you own has nothing to do with immigration?

thegildedgopher: "

gravelroad: "

billconner: "At risk of politicizing this, am I the only one that suspects this is partly a response to proposed border tightening?"

I think this is more likely related to a general tightening on the part of Canada. They have made some moves this year with respect to immigration that could fairly be characterized as a policy shift.


Trudeau announces sharp cuts to Canada's immigration targets "

Crossing the border for the purpose of recreation or to reach property you own has nothing to do with immigration?"

You have misread what we wrote respectively. Take another look.

gravelroad: "

billconner: "At risk of politicizing this, am I the only one that suspects this is partly a response to proposed border tightening?"

I think this is more likely related to a general tightening on the part of Canada. They have made some moves this year with respect to immigration that could fairly be characterized as a policy shift.

Trudeau announces sharp cuts to Canada's immigration targets "

Canada is bracing for a surge of immigrants currently in US quite possibly heading to Canada before January 20. I'm sure they're not pleased with that possibility.

gravelroad: "

thegildedgopher: "

gravelroad: "

billconner: "At risk of politicizing this, am I the only one that suspects this is partly a response to proposed border tightening?"

I think this is more likely related to a general tightening on the part of Canada. They have made some moves this year with respect to immigration that could fairly be characterized as a policy shift.

Trudeau announces sharp cuts to Canada's immigration targets "

Crossing the border for the purpose of recreation or to reach property you own has nothing to do with immigration?"

You have misread what we wrote respectively. Take another look."

No, I didn’t. It was implied this was related to Trudeau’s announcement about decreased immigration targets and I don’t believe it is.

But after considering further I do see a connection to potential asylum seekers from the US flooding the Canadian borders. If they make remote border crossing illegal then they don’t have to wonder if people observed (probably via drone or aircraft) crossing in remote areas are doing so illegally. Makes allocation of resources and decision making much more efficient.

I only said it was about tightening the border, and removing options for crossing it is a logical action.

Please note that in 2025 both the EU and the UK will initiate entry permit requirements (see UK's ETA and EU's ETIA ). Perhaps Canada simply wants to review those systems and tweak the RABC process. The fact that existing RABC permit holders can continue to use them calls BS on the idea that people observed (by aircraft or drone) crossing at remote spots would automatically assumed to be crossing illegally.

TZ

This looks a whole lot like immigration. I wouldn't count on it being fixed anytime soon. I suppose they will need some time to determine if the fears of many come to fruition. Judging by the cabinet picks so far, I would think that their fears are justified. They can't cherry pick geographic areas for policy.

Oh great. At my age, I don't have many years left for Quetico trips. Was planning one for the end of June. They could open the RABC process again before that, but outfitter reservations at the last minute would be tough.

For some reason, I've felt for the last 20 years that trips into Quetico were tentative, and believed that heavy limitations or closures for environmental reasons or other reasons were always possible. It's not the end of the world, just frustrating and sad. Hopefully this won't last long.

Terry

24kGold: "Oh great. At my age, I don't have many years left for Quetico trips. Was planning one for the end of June. They could open the RABC process again before that, but outfitter reservations at the last minute would be tough.

For some reason, I've felt for the last 20 years that trips into Quetico were tentative, and believed that heavy limitations or closures for environmental reasons or other reasons were always possible. It's not the end of the world, just frustrating and sad. Hopefully this won't last long.

Terry "

Terry - just enter from Canada. Not all that different, less expensive, and seems less crowded to me. I think you'd find the differences delightful.

Hopefully there is something in place by May, whether it’s something completely new or just a revision of the current program. Amy Klobuchar and Pete Stauber are working the issue. There are some very wealthy and influential people that use this program.

I'm sure the planned 25% tariff will help the Canadians get the RABC back on track.

billconner: "I'm sure the planned 25% tariff will help the Canadians get the RABC back on track."

Yup. Brilliant idea to screw your biggest trading partner and closest ally.

arctic: "

billconner: "I'm sure the planned 25% tariff will help the Canadians get the RABC back on track."

Yup. Brilliant idea to screw your biggest trading partner and closest ally."

It's never that simple...Canada has technically circumvented NAFTA...the last 2 administrations (Republican and Democrat) have negotiated with them to change...China has been using them as a "back door" to get cheap products into the US. Canada has already taken some actions...so most likely nothing will happen. It's all talk... I realize I am highly simplifying a complex issue...I don't endorse the tariff talk either, just saying there is a lot more to it than some are saying...

I highly doubt Canada is holding back on RABCs to "punish" Americans due to tariffs :) It only hurts them, less tourism dollars into Canada and helps the US as it drives that money spent in Canada back to the US. That would be one of the dumbest things their Government could do...

T

On the tourist dollars, seems like it depends on how many people who would usually use US outfitters and enter the Q from US will instead drive into Canada and use a Canadian outfitter. Could be more tourist dollars and let's face it, how many people using a RABC spend much while in Canada?

I don't really think the RABC is used for much other than the Q.

And I was certainly not being serious.

Were there ever other staffed customs stations on Basswood or Sag? Just thinking about all the possibilities - no RABCs would impact two or three trips in '25 for me...

arctic: "

billconner: "I'm sure the planned 25% tariff will help the Canadians get the RABC back on track."

Yup. Brilliant idea to screw your biggest trading partner and closest ally."

Agree, we're so lucky to have Quetico and the privilege to use it. No RABC pass would mean more going to the north end for them or like Beaverhouse.

sns: "Were there ever other staffed customs stations on Basswood or Sag? Just thinking about all the possibilities - no RABCs would impact two or three trips in '25 for me..."

Yes, on Sag there was Customs, been closed for a long time. Kinda sucked going to it.

This year our trip is quite complicated, and I am struggling to sort through the flow chart without the RABCs. Two of our team from Canada, two from MN...we've met up in the park before but we were planning a southern entry to get to a lake we have had circled for several years. Now my MN buddy may need to come in 2 days late, the Canadians want to go through Thunder Bay and fly in, and I need to split from the group when they exit to paddle solo to meet a second group of friends...a northern entry would leave me paddling 35-40 miles to meet that second group.

There, that rant left me feeling a little better.

sns: "Were there ever other staffed customs stations on Basswood or Sag? Just thinking about all the possibilities - no RABCs would impact two or three trips in '25 for me..."

There was also a staffed Customs station at Prairie Portage.

I forget the guy's name who ran the PP Customs office for a number of years. He would basically wave us through trip after trip. He even helped us portage a few times when we returned because he was bored and saw us coming in down the bay. But he sure had a dislike of the Boy Scouts.