A Heads Up About The US Border

[rustled]

(Bit off topic, but is Betta's still in the same location?

Yes, same location. I went in the back/side door off the alley. Bit of a pony wall up that offers half the space as what once was.

Few packages there, $4.00 usd per box.

[I Think]

Wife just crossed the border, was in the US for less than 30 minutes picking up some packages.
Border guy went ballistic, insisting that the current rule about no pcr testing for short term crossings, was intended for the flood victims. Made her sit in her car for a total of 1/2 an hour, berated her, had a guy from Health Canada call her, stuck her with a home covid kit, on the pretence that she did not meet the conditions that state "for goods and services". This particular border guy loves to make people aware that he has all the chips in the border crossing game.

Wife is currently talking to BC health who are agreeing with her, that she does not need the pcr test.

[Catsumi]

We live in interesting times.

A world gone completely mad.

[sobrohusfat]

Border guy went ballistic...

Canadian border guy right?

US guy no problem ?

[seewood]

Canadian border guy right?

US guy no problem ?

In my case, US fellow was great, no issues.
Canadian guy pretty much the same, did tell me the PCR exemption was for essential travel and was a run to Betta's essential.
This exemption is set to expire on the 20th the CBSA fellow said. If so, then a negative PCR test is required to get back into Canada after that date, regardless of the time away.

One thing about the US and CBSA border employees manning the check kiosks, they are a force unto themselves. They pretty much have as much discretion as they want to give to anyone crossing and we have to suck it up.

[I Think]

A DIRECT COPY OF THE CANADIAN BORDER SERVICE MEMO:
Given the ongoing situation in British Columbia, certain fully vaccinated B.C. residents will not have to take a pre-entry COVID-19 molecular test before coming back to Canada. This refers to residents:
• who must travel to the U.S. by land to access or purchase goods or services, and
• who are absent from Canada for no more than 24 hours.
The exemption also applies to unvaccinated children under 12 years of age entering with one of their fully vaccinated parents, step-parents, guardians or tutors and a person with a contraindication to vaccination.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If they had intended to mean that it was for flood victims, they would have said so.
As Seewood says the border officers have the power of kings and you have to kow tow to them. We got nailed by the bully pulpit guy yesterday, he was trying to make himself feel good by making life miserable for a 75 year old lady.

[crookedmember]

Wife just crossed the border, was in the US for less than 30 minutes picking up some packages.
Border guy went ballistic, insisting that the current rule about no pcr testing for short term crossings, was intended for the flood victims. Made her sit in her car for a total of 1/2 an hour, berated her, had a guy from Health Canada call her, stuck her with a home covid kit, on the pretence that she did not meet the conditions that state "for goods and services". This particular border guy loves to make people aware that he has all the chips in the border crossing game.

Wife is currently talking to BC health who are agreeing with her, that she does not need the pcr test.

I think most reasonable people understood that this was an emergency rule to help people truly impacted by storms, flooding, and low gas supplies . . .

. . . and not something to give people carte blanche to zip over the border to pick up their Etsy packages.

Officers on both sides of the border are given a lot of discretion for very valid reasons.

Your wife unfortunately fell into the "bleeped around, and found out" category.

[rustled]

A DIRECT COPY OF THE CANADIAN BORDER SERVICE MEMO:
Given the ongoing situation in British Columbia, certain fully vaccinated B.C. residents will not have to take a pre-entry COVID-19 molecular test before coming back to Canada. This refers to residents:
• who must travel to the U.S. by land to access or purchase goods or services, and
• who are absent from Canada for no more than 24 hours.
The exemption also applies to unvaccinated children under 12 years of age entering with one of their fully vaccinated parents, step-parents, guardians or tutors and a person with a contraindication to vaccination.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If they had intended to mean that it was for flood victims, they would have said so.
As Seewood says the border officers have the power of kings and you have to kow tow to them. We got nailed by the bully pulpit guy yesterday, he was trying to make himself feel good by making life miserable for a 75 year old lady.

I suppose they're looking at the word I've bolded and underlined.

IMO, that one word puts the CBS officer in the position of having to determine whether or not a person had to cross the border to purchase goods or services, or simply chose to.

I guess we'll wait until the rule changes.

[I Think]

Wife just crossed the border, was in the US for less than 30 minutes picking up some packages.
Border guy went ballistic, insisting that the current rule about no pcr testing for short term crossings, was intended for the flood victims. Made her sit in her car for a total of 1/2 an hour, berated her, had a guy from Health Canada call her, stuck her with a home covid kit, on the pretence that she did not meet the conditions that state "for goods and services". This particular border guy loves to make people aware that he has all the chips in the border crossing game.

Wife is currently talking to BC health who are agreeing with her, that she does not need the pcr test.

I think most reasonable people understood that this was an emergency rule to help people truly impacted by storms, flooding, and low gas supplies . . .

. . . and not something to give people carte blanche to zip over the border to pick up their Etsy packages.

Officers on both sides of the border are given a lot of discretion for very valid reasons.

Your wife unfortunately fell into the "bleeped around, and found out" category.

Sloppily written rules & laws are fodder for the Lawyers.
Other posters here are crossing easily in Osoyoos and other crossings. Border crossing guards are in a job where if the guard is a bully he/she can have a hay day.
The border rules need to be universal, not tailored to suit the disposition of the officer.

[Bsuds]

The border rules need to be universal, not tailored to suit the disposition of the officer.

Exactly. Talked with one Cdn Border person who told us that some of them don't even read the daily rules that can change and just do as they please.

That was regarding different foods coming back from the US.

[captkirkcanada]

I think most reasonable people understood that this was an emergency rule to help people truly impacted by storms, flooding, and low gas supplies . . .

. . . and not something to give people carte blanche to zip over the border to pick up their Etsy packages.

Officers on both sides of the border are given a lot of discretion for very valid reasons.

Your wife unfortunately fell into the "bleeped around, and found out" category.

Sloppily written rules & laws are fodder for the Lawyers.
Other posters here are crossing easily in Osoyoos and other crossings. Border crossing guards are in a job where if the guard is a bully he/she can have a hay day.
The border rules need to be universal, not tailored to suit the disposition of the officer.

Laws are not made just for one person

[lesliepaul]

I have said the same thing for decades.........the bar is LOW to be employed with Canada Customs, always has been. Back in the late 80's a friend was at a "nice" party with his wife and her co-workers. The ONE hole at this party was a customs agent who was holding court with stories how hilarious it was when they did "strip searches"........."women crying, kids crying". This was all a joke to the fellow doing the bragging. It wasn't long after that brag fest that this fellow was doing the crying and answering the question......."who's the tough guy now?" to my friend.

Karma has a way of evening things out..........

[I Think]

A commrnt on the dysfunction of the border control, one of the border people decided to announce that the mandatory vaccination requirement for cross border truckers had been waived.
Head office came out today saying that the mandate remains in effect.
Some of the border guys are so lazy that they do not bother reading the Memo's that are sent out when rules change, with the net effect that the rules are whatever the border guy says they are.

[Clipper]

Gets even better
Went down to Osoyoos border orfice and parked on the Kanada side ; walked toward the orfice and two armed ladies came out to meet me. COOL, I have protection.
Explained to them I would like to cross to Oroville and pick up freight. They asked what it is so I explained that it's a part for an antique lathe, nothing commercial, can't eat it etc..
They asked if I was planning on shopping and I replied no. They responded, no problem as long as it's there and back.
So I boogie down to 98844 pay my $10 and head for the border. I was gone 20 minutes.
Guy in the kiosk says"have your PCR test"? Doesnt ask for passport, loaded handgun under the seat, 20K cash, nadda..THE TEST, I WANNA SEE THE TEST!!
I told him his accomplises said I don't need the test and he proceded to read me "The Law". threatened me with a fine, etc, etc
So, I ended up with a Home Test to play with. Ony problem is it has a number on; betcha it's connected to my passport number so I better not fudge it. Might be able to swap it for my semi annual poop on a stick test!
Maybe send it to Les Liberals in Ottawa?

[Clipper]

Wife just crossed the border, was in the US for less than 30 minutes picking up some packages.

Wife is currently talking to BC health who are agreeing with her, that she does not need the pcr test.

Jan 14
same thing this morning. Mind passing on the BC Health phone number/contact?
Thanks