OTTAWA — The practice of "tour du poteau," which allowed temporary residents to leave Canada and return quickly for immigration services, is now officially prohibited. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) confirmed this significant change starting at midnight on December 24, 2023. Under the new rule, work and study permits will no longer be made available to individuals using this strategy for immigration services.
According to the CBSA, this practice has "mobilized many resources at the border, diverting Canadian and American agents from important control activities, and has contributed to longer wait times for cross-border travelers." This shift marks the end of what has been described as an increasingly popular method for temporary residents seeking to sidestep traditional immigration processes by making quick trips to the US or Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon.
The agency emphasizes, "The immigration services at the border are intended for those arriving in Canada, not for those already here." Requests for new or renewed work and study permits must now be submitted to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), signaling a significant operational overhaul.
Reflecting on the resource challenges posed by this approach, David J. McGuinty, the federal Minister of Public Safety, expressed, "The end of the 'tour du poteau' will allow Canadian and American border agents to focus on what they were specially trained for: law enforcement at the borders." With over 69,300 applications processed under this practice between April 1, 2023, and March 31, 2024, it had become clear this method contributed to congestion at points of entry.
McGuinty noted, "The back-and-forth at the border is unnecessary and diverts resources allocated to core law enforcement activities. This change will improve fairness for applicants, ease congestion at the borders, and strengthen our efficiency and security," highlighting the dual benefits of this policy shift for the Canadian and U.S. border operations.
Notably, the end of the "tour du poteau" had been anticipated as part of Canada's new border plan, which values around $1.3 billion. This plan is seen not only as pivotal for enhancing border security but also as a reaction to the potential imposition of tariffs by the U.S. on Canadian exports, emphasized by political discussions amid rising tensions between the two nations.
Before the pandemic, the 'tour du poteau' practice, which had gained traction alongside border reopenings, allowed individuals to renew their permits efficiently. The reliance on this bypass was due to perceived inefficiencies within the regular immigration application processes. Now, with the prohibition of this practice, it reinforces the government's commitment to ensuring all immigration procedures are adhered to appropriately.
Although the practice has been banned, the CBSA indicated there might still be specific exemptions for some individuals; for example, U.S. citizens and permanent residents may access immigration services at the border. There are also allowances for professionals and technicians under free trade agreements from various nations.
The regulation change sets the stage for increased scrutiny and the maintenance of the integrity of border crossings, as emphasized by Marc Miller, the Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada. He noted the importance of maintaining strong bi-national relationships, underlining how structured immigration protocols facilitate safe movement across the Canada-U.S. border.
The overall impact of this ban will likely influence both Canadian border controls and the experiences of temporary residents, who now must navigate conventional channels to manage their immigration status more formally. Moving forward, the Canadian government appears set on ensuring more structured procedures, which may lead to greater efficiency and fairness within their immigration systems. Such action demonstrates Canada's commitment to adapting its border policies amid changing dynamics and pressures from both within and outside its borders.
