The following will explain a few things about how we will manage the opening of businesses in
Ontario (specifically lodges, camps and cabin rentals) which was
announced effective today.
As you may have heard, the province of Ontario has allowed lodges, camps
and cabin rentals to start reopening subject to safe protocols and
restrictions. This only applies to Canadian guests as the border
restrictions continue until June 21, 2020.
Foreign Nationals who own a Canadian lodge/camp will be allowed to apply
for a LMIA exempt work permit at the Ports of Entry, so long as their
business qualifies to open and their intent is to operate for the summer
of 2020.
Once a work permit is issued, the Foreign National would be allowed to
enter as an authorized worker, but will need to be able to self-isolate
for 14 days at a designated address subject to public health quarantine
rules. (Information will be provided when you arrive at the border)
To facilitate a large influx of people seeking work permits we would
like to have you contact the Port of Entry where you normally cross and
they will direct you as to any changes in the process. In Fort Frances,
where we issue the majority of camp owner work permits, we will be
implementing a pre-screening process and be issuing the permits by
appointment to handle the volume. I hope that by mutual respect and
cooperation we can meet the needs of this large group of foreign workers
and keep our backlogs to a minimum. We are also working to ensure the
health and safety or our Officers and all of our clients in this
challenging time.
As a group of business owners you have been patient with the inability
to attend to your place of business and I would ask for your patience
over the weekend as we ready our processes to prepare for your arrival.
We will be in a better position to accept your work permit applications
next week and will start the scheduling of appointments after we review
the information that you will be asked to provide.
Thanks for your anticipated cooperation.
Telephone number for our Ports of Entry are as follows:
Rainy River POE – 807-852-3341
Fort Frances POE – 807-274-3655
Pigeon River POE – 807-964-3000
Sault Ste Marie POE – 705-941-3063
_Kevin Begin_
Superintendent/Surintendant
Canada Border Services Agency/Agence des services frontaliers du Canada
Northern Ontario Region/Région du Nord de l’Ontario
Fort Frances Port of Entry/Point d’Entrée Fort Frances
101 Church Street/101 rue Church
Fort Frances, Ontario
P9A 3X8
(807) -274-5426
cell (807) 275-6068
fax (807) 274-8416