'The border never closed': CBSA reflects on 15 months of COVID-19 on the frontlines
The Windsor-Detroit border has been closed to non-essential travel since March 2020 due to COVID-19, but border traffic never stopped.
It has remained open for essential travel.
IN PICTURES: Behind-the-scenes at the Ambassador Bridge Windsor-Detroit border crossing
Canadian Border Service Agency director of operations at the Ambassador Bridge Joe McMahon says his staff had to pivot in unprecedented times.
“March 2020 was a really stressful time for all of us,” says McMahon.
A look at the day-to-day of a Canada Border Services Agency officer in Windsor, Ont. on Wednesday, June 9, 2021. (Melanie Borrelli/CTV Windsor)
The travel restrictions came through during March break, so they had to get Canadians home safely.
“I was really proud of my staff because they really stepped it up,” says McMahon. “They were scared too, there was a lot of unknowns for all of us.”
He says the staff members had their own challenges that they were dealing with at the same time.
“Our officers came here every day to work,” says McMahon. “The border never closed.”
There was a slight lull in traffic at the beginning of the pandemic before several federal essential exemptions were put in place.
Canada Border Services Agency chiefs of operations at the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor, Ont. on Wednesday, June 9, 2021. (Melanie Borrelli/CTV Windsor)
About 1.3-million transports crossed through the Windsor-Detroit border last year alone.
Faced with increased border restrictions and COVID-19 protocols, McMahon says over the last 15 months as things changed, they changed with it.
“Our bigger mission was to keep everyone safe,” he adds.
Over 270 people work at the Ambassador Bridge for CBSA.
Jeff Gilmore, CBSA chief of operations at the Ambassador Bridge says they have remained busy.
“We still have had the highest travel volumes coming through the Windsor-Detroit border with the Ambassador Bridge being number two and the Windsor tunnel being number three,” says Gilmore.
Canada-US Border at the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor, Ont. on Wednesday, June 9, 2021. (Melanie Borrelli/CTV Windsor)
Even though their jobs changed over the past year with COVID, the regular duties of seizures also continued.
“We actually also still had a record-breaking year for seizures with 670 seizures reported in our operation here at the ambassador bridge with a value for duty of almost 55 million dollars, so it was a huge year for us at the ambassador bridge,” says Sydney Kale, CBSA chief of operations at the Ambassador Bridge.
The border will remain closed to non-essential travel until at least June 21.
Here's a photo gallery of 'A day in the life of a Canada Border Services Agency officer'
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.