A big shift in hours of operation for a southwestern Saskatchewan Canada-U.S. border crossing will come into effect early next year.
Yesterday the Canadian Border Services Agency announced a reduction of hours for 35 ports of entry, including six in Saskatchewan and two in the southwest, beginning on Jan. 6, 2025.
Monchy, located 29 kilometres south of Val Marie, will be shifting its operations to five days a week from Monday to Friday, a reduction from seven days a week. A reduction of hours will also take place at the crossing, now being open eight hours per day year-round for travellers - a deduction of one to five hours.
The CBSA said in a statement to Swift Current Online Tuesday morning that the change to hours of operation is to align their service hours with nearby U.S. crossings.
"Better alignment of service hours between Canadian and US ports of entry enhances the overall security of the border and allows both countries to return inadmissible travellers and goods to the other country, which is more difficult when one side of the border is closed while the other remains open," the CBSA said in an email. "It also allows the Agency to place our officers where higher volumes and risk activities have the potential to occur."
The port of entry at West Poplar River, 44.5 kilometres south of Wood Mountain, will be reduced for travellers by one hour each day but will remain in operation seven days a week.
West Poplar River and Monchy border crossings are in Cypress Hills-Grasslands MP Jeremy Patzer's constituency. Earlier this month he spoke in the House of Commons about the rumoured changes to hours of operation at border crossings.
He also told Swift Current Online that there had been zero public consultations. When questioned today, the CBSA didn't dispel Patzer's claim on public consultations.
"These changes were made based on an analysis of operational pressures, peak periods, and services required at these ports of entry," the CBSA said. "Data indicated that almost all of these ports of entry process an average of two or less cars or commercial trucks per hour during the hours that are no longer in operation, and, in most cases, have an alternative border crossing option within a 60 kilometre or less radius."
Swift Current Online reached out to Patzer's office this morning but hasn't heard back.
New Hours of operation
Monchy
Travellers (Monday to Friday)
- 9 am to 5 pm, second Sunday of March to first Saturday of November
- 10 am to 6 pm, remainder of the year
Commercial (Monday to Friday, except holidays)
- 9 am to 5 pm, second Sunday of March to first Saturday of November
- 10 am to 5 pm, remainder of the year
West Poplar River
Travellers (7 days a week)
- 9 am to 5 pm, second Sunday of March to first Saturday of November
- 10 am to 6 pm, remainder of the year
Commercial (Monday to Friday, except holidays)
- 9 am to 5 pm, second Sunday of March to first Saturday of November
- 10 am to 5 pm, remainder of the year
Current operation hours
Monchy
Travellers (seven days a week)
- 9 am to 6 pm, second Sunday of March to May 31
- 8 am to 9 pm, June 1 to September 15
- 9 am to 6 pm, September 16 to 1st Saturday of November
- 10 am to 7 pm, first Sunday of November to second Saturday of March
Commercial (Monday to Friday, except holidays)
- 9 am to 5 pm, second Sunday of March to May 31
- 8 am to 9 pm, June 1 to September 15
- 9 am to 5 pm, September 16 to first Saturday of November
- 10 am to 5 pm, first Saturday in November to second Saturday in March