CBSA officially opens the new and improved Sault Ste. Marie port of entry

News release

Today, Terry Sheehan, Member of Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie on behalf of the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness officially opened the new and improved Sault Ste. Marie port of entry (POE).

Ensuring an efficient and secure border is important to Canadians and our economy. Almost $2.5 billion dollars’ worth of two-way trade passes between Canada and the United States every day, in addition to more than 400,000 travellers.

The Federal Bridge Corporation Limited (FBCL), a Canadian Crown corporation, as the developer and new owner, on behalf of the government, was tasked with the project’s oversight and completion. Construction began in May of 2015 and finished in December of 2017. The Government of Canada invested $51 million into this larger facility. The project was funded through the Gateways and Border Crossings Fund, a program to improve the flow of goods and people between Canada and the rest of the world.

The new facility replaces the facility built in 1962 and is more than four times the size of the old facility. The infrastructure improvements involved the complete renovation and expansion of the entire Canadian plaza, including an expansion of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) travellers’ facility, the secondary examination facilities, and better roadways.

The improved facilities meet the needs of travellers, commercial services, immigration services and the wellbeing and safety of CBSA staff and clients. It is positioned to meet projected increases in traffic for many years to come.

Quotes

“The Sault Ste. Marie port of entry is one of the top 20 largest commercial ports in Canada. The new CBSA facility reflects our commitment to protecting national security while maintaining the vital flow of legitimate travel and trade across the border. The remodelled port provides a healthy workplace and is designed to serve Canadians and travellers now and in the future.”

-- Terry Sheehan, Member of Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie

“The phased commissioning of the Canadian Bridge Plaza Redevelopment Project was completed through exhaustive planning efforts that ensured minimal disruption to bridge traffic and CBSA operations. This is a monumental achievement considering the scale and complexity of the project. Through the implementation of careful budgeting and cost trimming, the newly expanded border facilities are four times larger than that of the original buildings.”

-- Micheline Dubé, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Federal Bridge Corporation Limited

Quick facts

Over 1.2 million travellers were processed at the Sault Ste. Marie POE in 2017-2018.
Travellers can plan their entry to Canada through the Sault Ste. Marie POE by checking border wait times at www.cbsa.gc.ca/waittimes.

Contacts

CBSA – Regional Communications
Tel.: 613-998-2000
Email: CBSA-ASFC_NOR-RNO_Communications@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca

FBCL - André Girard
Tel.: (613) 366-5074 x 121
Email: andre.girard@federalbridge.ca

Transport Canada - Media Relations, Ottawa
613-993-0055
Media@tc.gc.ca

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Date modified:: 2018-08-15