With the arrival of spring and boating season around the corner, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is reminding boaters of the proper procedures for crossing the border.
Although restrictions designed to curb COVID-19 have been relaxed, the CBSA said certain procedures remain in effect. This applies to anyone crossing the border by water, who must report to the CBSA immediately upon arrival.
For Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and those registered under the Indian Act, travellers must submit their information into the ArriveCAN app before arriving in Canada or upon arrival.
Those who leave and re-enter Canadian waters with interruption must report to the CBSA upon reentry and be subjected to COVID-19 border and health guidelines. Those who leave and re-enter without interruption don't have to report to CBSA. Interrupted travel, according to the CBSA, is defined as "a traveller leaves Canadian waters and, before re-entering, lands outside Canada, anchors, moors, makes contact with another boat while outside of Canadian waters, or embarks or disembarks any people or goods while outside Canada."
For foreign nationals, only those who qualify as fully vaccinated are allowed to enter Canada. Those who land on Canadian soil, anchor or moor in Canadian waters, are required to enter their ArriveCAN information, report to the CBSA, and be admissible under the federal Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
Foreign nationals who enter Canadian waters for touring or sightseeing only, without anchoring on Canadian land, do not have to report to the CBSA.
The CBSA has provided a list of marinas where CBSA reporting can be done at this time, as other reporting sites remain temporarily closed due to COVID-19 service adjustments.
