Every day, the CBSA works hard to protect Canadians, support the economy and ensure the safe and efficient movement of people and goods across the border. In 2024, we welcomed over 93.4 million travellers, stopped over 34,400 kg of illegal drugs from entering our communities and kept more than 17,200 weapons and 930 firearms off our streets.

The CBSA plans and prepares for long weekends and summer travel. We monitor traveller volumes and prioritize efficient processing of travellers at land ports of entry and at international airports, without compromising safety and security. If you encounter wait times at the border, it is likely because we are working behind the scenes to conduct examinations, seize drugs, firearms or stolen vehicles or prevent high-risk individuals from entering Canada.

Here are some travel tips to help you plan for your trip:

• Driving into Canada? Check border wait times to plan your route.
  • Early mornings are the best time to cross the border to avoid wait times.
  • The Monday of holiday long weekends tend to be the busiest.
  • Consider an alternative port of entry with shorter wait times or less traffic.
  • Check the port of entry’s hours of operation on the official CBSA Directory of Offices and Services.
  • If you are using a GPS application (such as Google Maps, Apple Maps or Waze) to direct you to a port of entry, consider checking different navigation options (such as fastest and shortest routes) to determine the preferred route of travel.
• Have your travel documents handy. This will speed up processing times at the border.
• Be prepared to declare. Declare everything you have with you upon entry into Canada. If arriving by land, you are responsible for everything inside your vehicle.
  • Goods purchased abroad: If you are a resident of Canada, personal exemptions allow you to bring goods, including alcohol and tobacco (up to a certain value), back to Canada without paying regular duty and taxes. Make sure you know how much you are bringing back in Canadian dollars and have your receipts readily available for the officer.
  • Surtaxes on certain U.S. goods. If you’ve purchased goods in the U.S. and are bringing them into Canada, you may have to pay a 25% surtax in addition to regular duties and taxes. For residents of Canada, this surtax applies only to goods exceeding your personal exemptions limit. Consult the lists of products surtaxed: complete lists of goods subject to the surtax. Visit the CBSA website for more details on how these surtaxes apply at the border.
• Flying into Canada? Use Advance Declaration and make your customs and immigration declaration up to 72 hours in advance of your arrival into Canada at participating airports.
• When travelling with children, who are not your own or for whom you don’t have full legal custody, we recommend you have a consent letter from the parent or legal guardian authorizing you to travel with the child. We are always watching for missing children, and in the absence of the letter, officers may ask additional questions.
• Know before you go: review the restricted and prohibited goods to avoid the possibility of penalties, including fines, seizure or prosecution. Make sure you have the information you need before attempting to bring items into Canada.
• Leave behind: firearms, weapons, narcotics, and cannabis.

CBSA encourages you to read and follow all of their travel tips before arriving at the border.

Not sure? Ask a CBSA officer. The best way to save time is to be open and honest with the border services officer. If you are not sure about what to declare, don’t hesitate to ask!

For more information, visit the CBSA website or call them at 1-800-461-9999.

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Every day, the CBSA works hard to protect Canadians, support the economy and ensure the safe and efficient movement of people and goods across our borders. In 2023, we welcomed over 86M travellers and intercepted more than 72,200 kg of prohibited drugs, cannabis, narcotics, and chemicals, representing an increase of close to 30% from 2022.

The CBSA dedicates significant efforts to planning and preparing for peak periods, including long weekends and summer months. CBSA monitors traveller volumes and plan to minimize border wait times at land ports of entry and at international airports, without compromising safety and security.

Here are some tips to help you plan for your trip:

• Plan ahead, expect delays and check border wait times. Travellers crossing the border by land are encouraged to cross during non-peak hours such as early mornings. The Monday of a holiday long weekend tends to be the busiest, with longer border wait times.
• Looking for a port of entry’s hours of operation? Always best to check the official CBSA Directory of Offices and Services. If you are using a GPS application (such as Google Maps, Apple Maps or Waze) to direct you to a port of entry, consider checking different navigation options (such as fastest and shortest routes) to determine the preferred route of travel. In many instances, there are alternative ports of entry within close proximity.
• Have your travel documents handy. Whether travelling by land, air or water, you can help speed up processing times by always coming prepared with your travel documents.
• Save time with Advance Declaration. You can make your customs and immigration declaration up to 72 hours in advance of your arrival into Canada at the Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Winnipeg, Halifax, Québec City, Ottawa, Billy Bishop, Calgary, and Edmonton international airports. Data shows that using this tool can reduce time at a kiosk or eGate by up to 50%.
• When travelling with children, it is recommended that the accompanying adult have a consent letter authorizing them to travel with the child if they share custody or are not the parent or legal guardian. Border services officers are always watching for missing children, and in the absence of the letter, officers may ask additional questions.
• Know your exemption limits. Returning residents who make purchases or pick up online purchases across the border should be aware of their personal exemption limits, including alcohol and tobacco. You are encouraged to use the CBSA duty and taxes estimator to help calculate your monies owed on goods purchased abroad.
• Cannabis: Don’t bring it in. Don’t take it out. Bringing cannabis across the border in any form, including oils containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or cannabidiol (CBD), without a permit or exemption authorized by Health Canada is a serious criminal offence subject to arrest and prosecution, despite the legalization of cannabis in Canada. A medical prescription from a doctor does not count as Health Canada authorization.
• Be prepared to declare. All travellers must declare their goods upon entry into Canada. For returning residents, have your receipts readily available for goods purchased or received while outside of Canada. Travellers should be aware of everything that is inside their vehicle and are responsible for its contents. You are encouraged not to travel with firearms, but if you choose to do so, be sure to check the rules on importing firearms and other restricted and prohibited goods, which includes pepper spray and certain knives.
• Boaters planning to travel in or near Canadian waters, or enter Canada by boat should review Reporting requirements for private boaters before making travel plans. All travellers entering Canada by boat must report to the CBSA without delay.
• Bringing fireworks into Canada? Consult Importing, exporting and transporting fireworks to ensure that the ones you are bringing in are authorized.
• Declare any food, plant, and animal products. Consult the Automated Import Reference System (AIRS) on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency website before bringing any food, plant, and animal products into Canada.
• Bringing poultry across the border? Poultry products must be for human consumption, retail packaged and labelled as a “Product of the USA.” Homemade food or leftovers containing poultry cannot be brought into Canada. Check the latest Information for travellers: Restrictions on poultry and birds from the United States before bringing these products across the border.
• Travelling with medication? Make sure you understand your responsibilities.
• Coming to Canada to go camping? Bringing firewood from outside of Canada is not permitted as invasive insects and diseases could exist in it. Help protect our forests. Buy local and burn local.

Not sure? Ask a CBSA officer. The best thing you can do to save time is to be open and honest with the CBSA officer. If you are not sure about what to declare, don’t hesitate to ask. CBSA officers are here to help and keep everyone safe.

For more information, visit the CBSA Website or call them at 1-800-461-9999.

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Across the country, 8,700 CBSA front line employees are keeping harmful goods out of Canada, while ensuring legitimate travel and trade can continue efficiently and safely. In 2022, CBSA facilitated the arrival of over 60 million travellers while keeping more than 1,100 firearms and 24,400 prohibited weapons off streets and seized over 41,000 kg of illegal drugs.

The CBSA invests significant effort annually to plan and prepare for peak periods, such as holiday long weekends and summer months. The Agency monitors traveller volumes and wait times and adjusts staffing levels to minimize processing times at our land ports of entry and at international airports, where we work with airport authorities in planning for arrivals.

CBSA encourages travellers to take advantage of the many tools and tips available for a smoother trip:

• Plan ahead and check border wait times and alternate ports of entry. Travellers crossing the border by land are encouraged to cross during non-peak hours such as early morning. The Monday of holiday long weekends tend to be the busiest, with longer border wait times.
• Have your travel documents handy. Whether travelling by land, air or water, you can help speed things up by coming prepared with your travel documents.
• Save time with Advance Declaration. Travellers arriving at the Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Winnipeg, Halifax, Québec City, Ottawa, Billy Bishop, Calgary and Edmonton international airports can make their customs and immigration declaration to the CBSA prior to their arrival using Advance Declaration. Travellers who use this option have access to express lanes to get to an airport kiosk or eGate faster.
• When travelling with children, it is recommended that the accompanying adult have a consent letter authorizing them to travel with the child if they share custody or are not the parent or legal guardian. Border services officers are always watching for missing children, and in the absence of the letter, officers may ask additional questions.
• Know your exemption limits. Returning residents who make purchases or pick up online purchases outside of Canada should be aware of their personal exemption limits. Use the CBSA duty and taxes estimator to help calculate your monies owed.
• Cannabis: Don’t bring it in. Don’t take it out. Bringing cannabis across the border in any form, including oils containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or cannabidiol (CBD), without a permit or exemption authorized by Health Canada is a serious criminal offence subject to arrest and prosecution, despite the legalization of cannabis in Canada. A medical prescription from a doctor does not count as Health Canada authorization.
• Be prepared to declare. All travellers must declare their goods upon entry into Canada. For returning residents, have your receipts readily available for goods purchased or received while outside of Canada. You are encouraged not to travel with firearms, but if you choose to do so, be sure to check the CBSA website for the rules on importing firearms and other restricted and prohibited goods.
• Boaters planning to travel in or near Canadian waters, or enter Canada by boat should review Reporting requirements for private boaters before making travel plans. All travellers entering Canada by boat must report to the CBSA without delay.
• Declare any foods, plants, or animals. Consult the Automated Import Reference System (AIRS) on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency website before bringing any food, plant, and animal products into Canada.
• Know what poultry products or by-products you can import. Currently, conditions and restrictions may apply for some live birds, bird products and by-products imported from U.S. states affected by Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. Updates are ongoing, so check the latest Information for travellers: Restrictions on poultry and birds from the United States before bringing these products into Canada and be prepared to prove the origin of your poultry product at the border.
• Not sure? Ask a CBSA officer. The best thing you can do to save time is to be open and honest with the CBSA officer. If you are not sure about what to declare, don’t hesitate to ask. CBSA officers are here to help!

For more information, visit the CBSA Web site or call them at 1-800-461-9999.

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Before you set off fireworks, go through this checklist of rules and safety advice: Rules & Regulations when using fireworks

• Property limits: You are only permitted to use fireworks on your own property and only if the front of your property is a minimum of 18 metres (59 ft.) wide. If you are renting, you must have written permission from the homeowner to use fireworks.

• Date: Fireworks are only permitted on specific dates per Town. o Newmarket residents: May 22, 23, 24; Aurora residents: May 22 and 23

• Time: only use fireworks between dusk (approximately 9:30 p.m.) and 11 p.m.

• User: You must be 18 years of age or older to discharge fireworks.

Tips for safe use

• Buy from a reliable source: steer clear of illegal explosives and never make your own. Only sparkler fireworks, fountain fireworks, roman candles and pinwheel fireworks are allowable for general consumer sale and use.

• Handle with caution: fireworks must be handled by an adult. Carefully read and follow directions on the label of fireworks packaging.

• Prepare the space: only use fireworks outside and have a water source handy and ready to use (buckets of water or garden hose turned on). Be aware and cautious of surrounding dry vegetation which can be flammable.

• Igniting fireworks: keep children far away from the discharge site. o Always aim the fireworks away from people and buildings.

• • Never hold the fireworks in your hand when lighting or discharging.
  • Do not smoke while handling or near fireworks.
  • Light only one firework at a time. Never set off fireworks during strong winds
  • Never re-light a dud firework. Wait 15 to 20 minutes, then soak the dud in a bucket of water
  • Never throw or point fireworks at other people
  • Wear eye protection and never have any part of their body over the firework

• Clean up & disposal: Pick up debris when finished and check for embers or smoldering materials. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the proper disposal of fireworks.

Remember to be considerate of your neighbours and pets when using fireworks.

Animal Services at the Town of Aurora offers proactive tips for dog owners:

1. Avoid letting your dog outdoors at times when fireworks are likely to go off.

2. Create a ‘safe place’ inside your home for your dog to hide from fireworks, such as a crate or bedroom.

3. Make sure windows and doors are closed and draw the curtains or cover the windows to minimize the lights from the fireworks.

4. Make sure that your dogs are microchipped and that their microchip details are up to date (in the event they get out).

Residents travelling out of town to the cottage or trailer are encouraged to check the local bylaws for fireworks and outdoor burning, along with burn bans, to ensure follow the rules of the area.

Whether you’re cooking inside, grilling on the barbeque or hosting a campfire, remember, whenever there is a flame, always have a water source on hand and ready for action. However, never pour water onto a grease fire. If the fire cannot be suppressed, alert others, evacuate and then call 9-1-1 from a safe location.

For more information, safety tips and links to Town by-laws, visit cyfs.ca

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OPP officers maintained a strong presence throughout the weekend as they took part in Canada Road Safety Week. Officers responded to 275 road collisions, many of which were linked to poor, careless driving behaviour.

During the May 21-24, 2021 campaign, the OPP laid 8,477 traffic-related charges and conducted 13,000 traffic stops as part of their efforts to educate the motoring public about safe driving and wearing seat belts.

Aggressive drivers made up the majority of the offenders, with officers issuing 7,177 speeding and 148 stunt driving/racing offence notices.

Other charges:

Seat belts:            551

Distracted driving:  203

Impaired driving:    135

Fail-to-yield:           123

Careless driving:    109

Canada Road Safety Week is led by the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP) and supports Canada’s Road Safety Strategy 2025.

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Organizations like the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre (OTCC), Turtle Guardians and the Think Turtle Conservation Initiative are reminding Ontario drivers to be on the lookout for turtles on the roads. Warmer weather means turtles are expected to be out in large numbers and concern for them is high with the potential for increased traffic over the long weekend. Conservation groups are asking drivers to look far ahead on the roads and scan shoulders for wildlife, including turtles that often look like moving rocks.

“Did you know in southern Ontario you can’t go more than 2km without reaching a road?” wrote the OTCC in an online post. “Most of our species are only found in the more southern parts of the province too. Give these guys a ‘brake’ and help them across in the direction they were headed. But remember – your safety is always what is most important!”

The OTCC recommends gently moving turtles in the direction they’re headed, handling them as little as possible. Most turtles can be picked up carefully with two hands, but snapping turtles will snap at you if they feel threatened, so it’s important to keep a safe distance from their head. 

An uninjured snapper can be coaxed across the road using a shovel or a board, according to the OTCC, but if you need to pick up a snapping turtle by hand, go behind the animal and slide your dominant hand under the tail, as if you were picking up a tray of drinks. 

Stabilize the tail with your non-dominant hand, ensuring you never hold them by the tail as it could damage their spine, and keep the turtle away from your body. A snapping turtle can reach its midpoint, warns the OTCC, so make sure not to pick it up near its middle. If you don’t use gloves to move the turtle, be sure to wash your hands after handling it.

“Turtles have a good relationship with bacteria that we do not!” says the OTCC on their website. “While they may not be sick, they can still pass on bacteria to us that can cause illness in humans.”

The Think Turtle Conservation Initiative and Turtle Guardians also recommend safety measures like using hazard lights, always stopping on a shoulder and using a safety vest, but once your own safety is guaranteed, it’s important to send turtles in the same direction they were already headed. Changing the direction of the turtle will cause them to retrace their path, putting them in harm’s way a second time.

“It takes more than 30 years for one turtle to replace itself in the environment,” wrote Turtle Guardians on Facebook. “Turtles are essential to keep fish and water life thriving. These are precious couriers of biodiversity.”

For more information on helping turtles on the road, visit the OTCC website or download the Turtle Handling 101 guide from the OTCC. If you find an injured turtle, call the OTCC hotline at 705-741-5000 and staff will walk you through getting the turtle proper care while adhering to COVID-19 measures to help keep humans safe as well.

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With the Victoria Day weekend approaching, the Township of Lake of Bays would like to remind residents that Provincial orders are still in place to reduce the spread of COVID-19:

• Practice social (physical) distancing of 2 metres (6 feet)
• Do not gather in groups of more than 5 people
• Wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your face or mouth
• Self-isolate and limit all public interaction

The Township of Lake of Bays long weekend reminders include:

• Message from Muskoka Mayors: To all our residents – year round and seasonal.
• Fire Ban: There is a Restricted Fire Zone for our area. This ban applies to all open-air fires including, campfires, fireworks, charcoal barbecues, and cooking fires. Cooking appliances such as propane or natural gas cooking equipment and outdoor appliances with mechanical shutoff are permitted.
• Beaches and Parks: All Township recreational parks and amenities continue to remain closed and are not sanitized at this time. Residents are encouraged to obey all posted signage.

For up-to-date health information visit the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit website and for municipal information and updates, visit the COVID-19 Updates page on the Township of Lake of Bays website.

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