Originally Posted by
TravellingChris
CBSA is similar to the U.S. CBP in that these are both frontline agencies that enforce rules on behalf of other departments. (For example, border officers apply rules set by federal agriculture departments when determining admissibility of food and plant products.) They are merely the first point of contact for a traveler.
You are correct in stating that no federal officer can stop a Canadian from entering Canada--even during the pandemic, the border could not be fully closed as Canadian citizens have a constitutional right to enter and leave--the key is in satisfying the officer of one's citizenship. A Canadian passport accomplishes this. In my experience once I have presented the passport and the CBSA officer has scanned it and visually verified that I am the bearer, the conversation moves to customs topics. My eligibility to enter the country is no longer in question, so now I am asked about how long I was away, how much I am bringing back, etc.
As I noted in my earlier post I always sail through the CBSA spot checks on the jetway because they are immigration-only. By presenting my passport I show my entitlement to enter the country and am quickly on my way, The more in-depth interview for customs purposes comes downstairs in the arrival hall.
I am a Cdn citizen living in USA. During all of covid I travelled back and forth for 1-2 days for medical appt every 2 weeks. During the pandemic there was a third element to immigration and customs and that was quarantine. Immigration was done with my Cdn passport. Customs was done as I had nothing with me.
But they focused on the quarantine side making sure I wasn’t interacting with anyone after my appointment. Many of them got frustrated that they had to let me in and some said I had to quarantine for 14 days which was total bs as medical appt was exempt and anyone could always decide to leave Canada at anytime. Land border was always harder than air. It was very interesting watching them trying to make up new rules on the fly. They would go through everything on my phone which was always empty with zero emails and texts. I was always successful but sometimes it took many hours. They were also very bored with zero travellers crossing. After the vaccine came out it was a bit easier but the first year they tried to makeup rules why they could deny me entry without a 14-day quarantine plan.