The Canadian border is not broadly closed at this time, but there are significant restrictions and operational issues affecting crossings. These include:
- Restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic that have extended over the years, with closures to non-essential travel mainly to limit the spread of the virus, particularly between Canada and the U.S., though these were originally from earlier in the pandemic and have evolved over time. Closed borders to non-essential travel were to keep Canadians safe as COVID cases remained high in the U.S.
- Specific operational changes such as the closure of Canadian access to a library that straddles the Canada-U.S. border due to increased concerns about illegal cross-border activities and drug trafficking, requiring Canadians to use formal border crossings starting October 1, 2025.
- A significant computer system outage in late September 2025 caused major delays in commercial processing at the Canada-U.S. border. This outage disrupted the flow of commercial trucks, leading to backups and delays at key border entry points in Southern Ontario. This outage is due to technological and possibly infrastructure issues rather than a formal border closing.
- Some border crossings, such as the Pohénégamook border crossing, have also seen service changes, with in-person services replaced by remote area traveler programs to optimize resources.
- The Canadian government continues to strengthen border security efforts to prevent illegal crossings and combat drug trafficking, which impacts border operations.
In summary, the Canadian border is not fully closed but is under certain restrictions, experiencing operational disruptions due to technical outages and enhanced security measures aimed at tackling illegal activities. Travelers should expect delays and changes in crossing procedures, especially for commercial traffic and certain border locations.
