Have your I.D. ready

Ken Johnston

Did you do a double take last week when local customs officers began asking you for your identification?
Starting January 1, 2005, Rainy River customs officials began asking everyone for identification. Local officers said that they have been ordered to do so.
According to Pierre Marquis of the Canada Border Services Agency (CSBA) in Ottawa, “There has been no changes nationally in policy regarding i.d.”
Marquis said the local effort could be part of a heightened security effort. He did note that it is up to the discrimination of the officer as to whether they need to check your i.d. or conduct an even more in depth check on travellers.
“It is our job to preserve the integrity of the border. Everything is considered carefully. We don’t take border responsibilities lightly,” said Marquis last week.
When asked why an officer would check the i.d. of someone they know, Marquis said, “From time to time factors lead us to increase vigilance at the border.” He said he understands the local perspective of the officers knowing many of the people who cross and again he stressed that it is up to the discretion of the officer as to whether they need to check i.d. or conduct more checks.
Marquis also said, “Assume an individual crossing is well known in the community and fails to produce i.d. Nothing is written in stone saying that individual will not gain access to Canada. The officer can make that decision.”
It has always been a requirement that people carry proper i.d. when crossing the border and, “Travellers should get used to producing i.d.” said Marquis.
As for how long the change will last at Rainy River’s port of entry? “These are the rules at this point in time but it doesn’t mean they will be a requirement forever,” said Marquis.
“There will be times where travellers may be inconvenienced crossing the border. The point of enforcing the regulations is to ensure communities are safe.”
Marquis said the stepped up i.d. checks have nothing to do with the fact that CBSA officers have not settled a contract dispute with the government.
He also noted, “People crossing the border legitimately have no reason to fear crossing.”