Ongoing discussion by politicians in Canada and the United States has created misunderstandings and worry of crossing the Canadian/US border. This confusion is detrimental to tourism and service operators on both sides of the border, but more importantly, it is unfounded.

Our statistics indicate that a typical border crossing takes less than ten minutes with no delays for cars crossing Niagara’s three bridges (The Peace Bridge, The Rainbow Bridge and The Queenston-Lewiston Bridge) ninety percent of the time in either direction. Canadian and American citizens can cross the border in either direction in less than ten minutes with only photo ID and proof of birth.

For your readers planning to cross the border this summer and visit Canada, we recommend a few steps before and upon arrival at the border to ensure a rapid crossing.

Before leaving, visitors should; check border conditions by calling the border traffic conditions hotline 1-800-715-6722; try to avoid peak crossing periods like holiday weekends and late afternoons on Saturdays and Sundays; and ensure that they have proper identification for all passengers in the vehicle.

On arrival at the border, visitors should; ensure that they have proper identification ready to present the Customs or Immigration inspector for all passengers and receipts ready and totalled for all purchases and goods carried in the vehicle. It is important that visitors follow the inspector’s instructions carefully and answer his or her questions truthfully.

It is important that your readers do not feel intimidated by the Canadian/United States Border. There are new and exciting attractions on both sides of the border and we must ensure that proposals for enhanced security do not impact our freedom to enjoy, firsthand, the fruits of the exceptional relationship between our two countries.

Carolyn A. Bones
President of Niagara Falls Chamber of Commerce and
Spokesperson for the Easy Crossing Council