The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is ending its long-running Remote Area Border Crossing (RABC) Program — a permit system that has let many U.S. travelers enter Canada through remote northern crossings without stopping at a staffed port of entry.
Why It Matters
Starting in September 2026, the permit-based model will be replaced with a telephone reporting process. Under the new approach, travelers will be required to report their entry to Canadian authorities after crossing, according to a CBSA press release.
Beginning September 14, 2026, anyone entering Canada through remote areas of northern Ontario or from the Northwest Angle into southern Manitoba will need to either report at a staffed port of entry or use a designated telephone reporting site.
The shift marks a major change for RABC users, who — once approved — have been able to cross through specific remote areas without checking in at a staffed border location.
What To Know
- The CBSA says roughly 11,000 people use RABC permits each year, and about 90% are U.S. citizens.
- The agency says the change is meant to strengthen border integrity and make Canada’s process more consistent with U.S. reporting practices for remote entries.
- Regions affected include: Northwest Angle Area, Pigeon River/Lake of the Woods, the Canadian shore of Lake Superior, Sault Ste. Marie (upper lock system), and Cockburn Island.
Once the program ends, travelers entering these areas will need to either:
- report by phone through the new system, or
- present themselves at a staffed port of entry.
The CBSA says the specific locations for the new telephone reporting sites will be determined in the coming months, with input from Indigenous communities, local businesses, and law enforcement partners.
Current RABC permits will remain valid until September 13, 2026, and the agency says the transition period is intended to give travelers and communities time to adapt. The CBSA also warns that failing to follow the new rules could lead to enforcement action under the Customs Act.
Pushback From U.S. Lawmakers
Some U.S. officials have raised concerns that eliminating the permit system could hurt tourism, outdoor recreation, and small businesses that depend on cross-border movement.
Minnesota Congressman Pete Stauber, North Dakota Senator Kevin Cramer, and Michigan Congressman Jack Bergman sent a letter to the Canadian government objecting to the change.
“We are disappointed to learn Canada will be ending the Remote Area Border Crossing (RABC) permit program. As you know, these permits are vital to Americans and Canadians who own property and operate small businesses along our shared border,” the lawmakers wrote.
What People Are Saying
The CBSA told CBC News that the decision followed an internal review that looked at “security, operational efficiency and the evolving risk environment at Canada’s border.”
Stauber also issued a statement acknowledging the disruption while leaving room for compromise, saying he hopes Canada’s replacement system will still support border communities and local economies. He added that he wants to work with Canadian officials to balance security with economic needs along the border.
What Happens Next
The change is scheduled to take effect in September 2026, with details on the new telephone reporting sites expected before then.
