BC ports of entry slated for upgrades

Five rural B.C. border crossings are up for a modern redesign after receiving an influx of federal dollars in late July.

Paterson’s port of entry (POE) and the Waneta Border Crossing are on the list, though construction won’t begin for a few more years, says Robin Barcham, communications advisor for the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).

“The POEs were built decades ago and need to be upgraded or replaced to satisfy the demands of modern border management,” she explained...

Barcham said new space demands are needed for seized goods, technology enhancements and other operational requirements...

“Modern port of entry facilities will help ensure the free flow of legitimate travel and trade across Canadian borders and improved operational efficiencies.”

...the Midway Border Crossing, and Chopaka Border Crossing, which connects Cawston (near Keremeous) to Loomis, Washington, are up for improvements beginning in 2017...

The fifth site slated for improvements is the Port of Rykerts...

Details of how much money will be earmarked for each crossing and what improvements to expect, have yet to be announced.

This has been excerpted from the 12 August 2015 article for BC Local News.