Construction at the Lacolle border may cause longer waits this holiday long weekend

The United States border crossing is seen in Lacolle, Que., on Wednesday, March 18, 2020. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz)

Drivers planning to travel to or from the United States this long weekend should be prepared to wait at the border crossing.

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) issued a news release on Tuesday offering travel tips for Journee des Patriotes/Victoria Day weekend, May 16 to 18, to ensure smooth travel between countries.

The agency is reminding travellers that the Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle port of entry between Quebec and New York is currently under construction.

The crossing is Quebec’s busiest port of entry, and the Monday of holiday long weekends is often the busiest, the CBSA said.

The redevelopment of the Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle border crossing is expected to be finished by winter 2027, with the opening of eight new travellers’ booths.

The work is part of the CBSA’s $100-million plan to reinforce land border crossings with the United States to meet safety, security and new technology requirements.

The border sees more than two million travellers and more than 300,000 commercial vehicles pass through every year.

Across the country, over 82 million travellers crossed the border in 2025.

Travel tips from the CBSA

• Have your travel documents readily available to show an officer,
• Flying into Canada? Use Advance Declaration (at participating airports).
• Driving into Canada? Check border wait times to plan your route.
• Entering Canada by boat? All travellers entering Canada by boat must report to the CBSA immediately. Reporting requirements may vary depending on itinerary, nationality and the number of passengers onboard.
• Declare everything you have with you upon entry into Canada.
• Avoid importing raw poultry products or byproducts due to current restrictions on poultry and birds from the United States before bringing these products across the border. Homemade food or leftovers containing poultry cannot be brought into Canada.
• When travelling with children who are not your own or for whom you don’t have legal custody, bring a consent letter from the parent or legal guardian authorizing you to travel with the child.
• Review the restricted and prohibited goods list to avoid the possibility of penalties, including fines, seizure or prosecution.