Upon his return to Canada via land border, Mr. Kathum wanted to provide the Border Officer with an email confirming that his test for COVID-19 was negative. But the traveler forgot his email password and could not access the required document.
When he got stuck in a taxi on the bridge across the Detroit-Windsor border, he told the CBC that he felt more and more helpless as he tried and failed several passwords.
The agent insisted
Mr. Kathum remembers working in the construction industry and living in the Toronto area. He would not let me get out of the taxi
.
He says the only way to return home is with a $ 6,255 ticket, given the two options offered to him at the time.
He may try to return to the pharmacy to print his test result, which is not possible because he will have to show proof of a negative test in order to return to the United States.
Otherwise, he could return home, but was given a maximum fine under the Isolation Act – $ 5,000 plus Additional compensation penalties and costs
Regarding crime: Failure to comply with Council’s order prohibiting or subjecting entry into Canada
. The total fine was $ 6,255.
A Canadian customs officer drives a motorist at the Rainbow Cross-Border Bridge checkpoint in Niagara Falls, Ontario.
Photo: CBC / Ivan Mitsui
Believing that he had no other choice. He said he accepted the ticket and 14 days of compulsory isolation, but he was able to access it on his phone, although he later provided evidence that he had been fully vaccinated in the Arikavan processor. (Passengers must upload their vaccination documents through the App, but not the Govt test results).
There was also a two-week wage loss during this isolated period. Mr Kadum appealed the ticket to court, but wanted to share his story to warn other passengers and remind them to print all their documents.
I don’t want this to happen to other Canadians. This is unfair.
According to the CBSA, every passenger is responsible for their documents
His case joins others reported in recent days The border between Canada and the United States Reopened and passengers must obtain a vaccine certificate and a negative COVID-19 test result within 72 hours of crossing the border.
Another passenger told the CBC he was denied entry to the United States but was forced to remain in isolation for 14 days and therefore did not actually cross the border. Other travelers who have been fully vaccinated say they have found dozens of themCalls and emails from the Canadian government urge them to ensure self-isolationEven when exempt from isolation.
The Border Services Agency of Canada (CBSA) is unable to comment on specific cases via email, but can review, challenge and confirm passenger reports to officers of the Bureau of Investigation.
Before making a decision, a [agent des services frontaliers] It takes into account the unique circumstances of each passenger, the purpose of the trip and the documents provided at the time of entry.
, Spokeswoman Rebecca Birdie saidASFC.
Passengers must prove that they meet the non-isolation requirements, which includes delivering the latest negative COVID-19 test result at the border, he added.
According to Professor Kelly Sandberg of Mount Royal University, TheASFC One shows Unreasonable erection
.
This is of concern if law enforcement activities are not flexible and do not take into account the needs of travelers and the opportunity to provide information in other ways.
, Ms. Sandberg, who has served as an officer for 15 years, commentedASFC.
L ‘ASFCFor example, during travel, cell phone batteries may make computers available to the public for electronic documentation during long trips or if they have technical problems. .
It supports independent oversightASFC, Just like any other law enforcement agency in Canada. That way, passengers can file complaints or deny the restrictions with an impartial system, which will allow improvements, he said.
Based on information from the CBC’s Samantha Beatty
