Canada border measures aimed at responding to Trump’s tariff threat begin to take effect [Video]

Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Marc Miller takes questions as he arrives at a cabinet meeting in Ottawa, on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Immigration measures announced as part of Canada’s border response to president-elect Donald Trump’s 25 per cent tariff threat are starting to be implemented, beginning with a ban on what’s known as “flagpoling.”

This is when someone who was in Canada on a temporary visa leaves for the U.S. then quickly re-enters Canada to access immigration services at a port of entry.

The restriction on providing work and study permits to flagpolers takes effect today.

Last week, Immigration Minister Marc Miller said that going forward temporary visa holders will have to apply online to extend their stay in Canada.

The Canadian Border Services Agency processed more than 69,300 people who engaged in flagpoling in the 2023-2024 fiscal year.

There are still rare exceptions …