Border measures aimed at responding to Trump’s tariff threat begin

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OTTAWA — Immigration measures announced as part of Canada’s border response to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s threat of 25 per cent tariffs are underway, starting with a ban on what is known as “flying the flag.”

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This occurs when someone who was in Canada on a temporary visa leaves the United States and then quickly returns to Canada to access immigration services at a port of entry.

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Restrictions on the provision of work and study permits for flag holders come into effect today.

Last week, Immigration Minister Mark Miller said temporary visa holders must apply online to extend their stay in Canada.

The Canada Border Services Agency processed more than 69,300 people who participated in the flag raising in the 2023-2024 fiscal year.

There are still rare exceptions where a person is granted a work or study permit despite meeting the definition of flying the flag, including international truck drivers with a work permit, professionals under certain free trade agreements, and U.S. citizens.

Miller first announced the plan to ban the practice on December 17, alongside Finance Minister Dominique LeBlanc who promised a $1.3 billion border control package.

This includes removing the point value for a job offer in Canada’s Express Entry immigration system. The stated goal of this change is to reduce and prevent immigration-related fraud.

In a post on social media, This will take effect in the spring and will be a temporary measure, Miller said.

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A wider review of the Express Entry scheme is being undertaken, and a future decision on the value of a job offer in this scheme will be made at that time.

The Labor Market Impact Assessment, a basic document required by an employer to hire a foreign worker, is currently worth between 50 and 200 points in the Express Entry system.

Applicants are not supposed to pay for these documents, but a black market has emerged where people charge tens of thousands of dollars for these documents.

Apps already in progress will not be affected once this change takes effect.

Miller also said the government is looking at ways to streamline Canada’s asylum system at the Dec. 17 press conference. This includes exploring options to “quickly deal with” wrongful claims.

The government’s broader border measures plan to respond to Trump’s threat to impose 25 percent tariffs includes enhancing air surveillance and drug detection efforts.

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