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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Quetico Forum :: RABC permit issuance is paused/suspended
 
Author Message Text
billconner
12/01/2024 07:19AM
 
I'm sure the planned 25% tariff will help the Canadians get the RABC back on track.
 
gravelroad
11/11/2024 03:34PM
 
Read it and weep. For how long, nobody knows today.

Canada Hits Pause on RABC Permits for Boundary Waters Region
 
sns
12/06/2024 07:04PM
 
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...
 
billconner
11/12/2024 06:14PM
 
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.
 
thegildedgopher
11/13/2024 10:34AM
 
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.
 
GraniteCliffs
12/09/2024 10:23AM
 
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.
 
gravelroad
12/15/2024 01:32PM
 
The weeping will continue for the time being:


Economic Concerns Mount as Canadian Government Stays Silent on Future of RABC Program
 
arctic
12/04/2024 09:33AM
 
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.
 
timatkn
12/04/2024 12:55PM
 
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
 
TrailZen
12/16/2024 08:04AM
 
gravelroad: "The weeping will continue for the time being:



Economic Concerns Mount as Canadian Government Stays Silent on Future of RABC Program "



Thanks for posting the update--we tried just last night to find more current info on official sites--nothing.


TZ
 
24kGold
11/28/2024 10:30AM
 
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
 
sns
12/07/2024 05:04PM
 
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.
 
billconner
11/29/2024 06:24AM
 
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.

 
Art Vandelay
11/30/2024 04:34PM
 
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.
 
Pinetree
12/06/2024 07:58PM
 
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.
 
campnfish
12/06/2024 09:04PM
 
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.
 
Banksiana
12/07/2024 08:41PM
 
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.
 
GraniteCliffs
11/11/2024 05:16PM
 
Crap. I always feared this could happen. We can only hope this is a pause and not a permanent end.
 
thegildedgopher
11/11/2024 11:01PM
 
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.
 
billconner
11/12/2024 06:28AM
 
At risk of politicizing this, am I the only one that suspects this is partly a response to proposed border tightening?
 
gravelroad
11/12/2024 09:41AM
 
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
 
thegildedgopher
11/12/2024 01:04PM
 
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?
 
gravelroad
11/12/2024 03:10PM
 
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.
 
Oklahoma Paddler
12/18/2024 10:28AM
 
I wonder if there is any possibility of developing an entry permit just for Prairie Portage? It could even be date specific. I can't imagine that there is much concern that people will be canoeing through Quetico in order to enter Canada. The existing or rather the previous RABC program covered a large geographic area with the potential for many more issue relative to just a Quetico entry. Not suggesting throwing everyone else who needs a RABC under the bus but it would be a great move for Quetico users. I guess manning a border entry station at Prairie Portage would accomplish the same result.
 
billconner
11/14/2024 06:41AM
 
I only said it was about tightening the border, and removing options for crossing it is a logical action.
 
TrailZen
11/14/2024 07:31AM
 
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
 
mapsguy1955
11/14/2024 08:52AM
 
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.
 
billconner
12/04/2024 06:06PM
 
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.