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Starting on October 19, 2020, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) will begin using a standardized primary (threshold) question for all vehicles arriving to the CBSA Port of Entry in Cornwall. The purpose of the question is to recognize the mixed traffic corridor and that not all people or vehicles arriving to the port have left Canada.

MCA and CBSA have been working collaboratively to improve the border crossing experience through the MCA-CBSA Border Collaboration Initiative (BCI). Open dialogue and design-thinking approaches are utilized to create a better understanding of each other’s goals and to work together toward positive improvements.

The new question to be asked is, “Are you arriving from the United States?” The wording meets the requirements of the Customs Act and has been reviewed by Mohawk Council.

HOW TO RESPOND TO PRIMARY QUESTION Travel from Kawehno:ke only:

Those travelers who are arriving to the port from Kawehno:ke (Cornwall Island) only, without having left Canada, will answer “No” to the primary question, which signifies to the Border Services Officer (BSO) that you have only travelled domestically and not internationally.

Travel from or through the U.S.:

If you are arriving to the port from beyond Kawehno:ke (Cornwall Island), and have travelled from or through the United States, your response to the primary question will be “Yes” and the BSO will continue the required processing. This includes anyone who has transited through the United States from the Akwesasne districts of Tsi Snaihne(Snye) and Kana: takon(St. Regis).

Travel from Canada to Kawehno:ke:

If you have arrived to Kawehno:ke (Cornwall Island) from Cornwall and are returning to Cornwall via the CBSA Port of Entry without having travelled to the United States, your response to the primary question will be “No.”

Additional follow up questions may be asked of travelers for clarity.