Move Aims to Strengthen Border Security Amid Tariff Threats from U.S.
The federal government has announced that work and study permits will no longer be issued to flagpolers at Canadian border crossings.
Flagpoling refers to the practice where foreign nationals with temporary resident status in Canada exit the country and re-enter to apply for or renew immigration documents, such as work or study permits, at a port of entry rather than submitting applications online to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Between April 2023 and March 2024, over 69,300 flagpolers were processed at border crossings, primarily in the Pacific, southern Ontario, and Quebec regions, according to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).
“This change allows Canadian and American border officers to focus on their core responsibilities—ensuring border security,” Public Safety Minister David McGuinty said in a statement on Monday.
The decision comes amid heightened efforts to enhance Canada-U.S. border security as tensions escalate over proposed tariffs by former U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump has threatened to impose a 25% tariff on Canadian goods, citing concerns over border security, migration, and drug trafficking.
In response, the Canadian government has allocated $1.3 billion over six years to bolster border infrastructure and enforcement. The plan includes the acquisition of helicopters and drones, as well as additional funding for CBSA, the RCMP, Public Safety Canada, and Communications Security Establishment Canada.
The move to end flagpoling reflects Canada’s commitment to addressing U.S. concerns while maintaining a secure and efficient border, Immigration Minister Marc Miller stated. “Flagpoling is unnecessary and diverts resources from critical enforcement activities.”
Despite the change, the CBSA clarified that in specific circumstances, permits may still be processed at the border. Exceptions include:
- U.S. citizens and permanent residents
- Truck drivers crossing the border for work
- Professionals and technicians under free-trade agreements (e.g., with the U.S., Mexico, Chile, Panama, and South Korea)
- Spouses or partners of professionals and technicians under these agreements
Applicants not meeting these exceptions will be redirected to IRCC to file their applications.
The border security measures and Canada’s response to Trump’s tariff threat have created political ripples. The Liberal government’s approach to border management and fiscal policy has been a point of contention, leading to the resignation of former deputy prime minister Chrystia Freeland.
In her resignation letter, Freeland criticized the government’s strategy, urging greater fiscal restraint to prepare for a potential “tariff war.”
As Canada balances border security with economic priorities, the government continues to emphasize the importance of a strong relationship with the U.S. in keeping people and goods moving safely across the border.