FORT ERIE, Ont. (July 30, 2004) — U.S.-bound truckers and travellers aren’t expected to get any border relief this long weekend even though an inspection blitz amid heightened security concerns surrounding the Democratic National Convention is coming to an end.

In an agreement with U.S. Homeland Security, Canadian officials have been thoroughly searching every vehicle before it even reaches the border. The driver is then handed the off to U.S. Customs, who conduct normal entry procedures.

Traffic delays over the last three days have been the longest at Quebec and Ontario crossings offering direct routes to the convention location in Boston. At some points during the week, traffic at Champlain/Lacolle was backed up for three kilometres, and in Fort Erie,Ont. southbound traffic was backed up for two kilometres.

Complicating the picture is another round of pressure tactics by Canada Customs officers, who are complaining they’re underpaid. As Today’s Trucking reported last month, agents are exercising what they call “due diligence,” — doing their jobs as meticulously as possible to slow down traffic.

The tactic was first used on the Canada Day holiday weekend when a protest by Customs officers originating at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport spread to border crossings at several points of entry across the country.

A Canadian Excise Union spokesperson indicated that Canadian officers will likely be in no mood to expedite truckers and travellers on this holiday weekend as either.

In 2000, the job description of Canada’s 4,200 customs officers was revamped, requiring them to enforce the criminal code. Since then, the union has been battling the government to raise the officers’ salaries closer to their U.S. counterparts, who get paid about $68,000 US.

Carriers can monitor border wait times at The Canada Border Services Agency website.