CBSA & MCA EXTEND DOMESTIC LANE PILOT
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne have agreed to extend the Domestic Lane Pilot Project for an additional year, until April 2022. The lane was launched through collaboration within the MCA & CBSA Border Collaboration Initiative (BCI), intended to improve the border crossing experience. The initial pilot was for a six-month period from November 2020 to April 2021 , but due to the U.S.-Canada border being closed to international travel, the pilot is being extended to gain accurate measures of the lane’s usefulness.
An Akwesasne community survey was conducted near the end of the initial six-month pilot, asking for feedback on the lane’s effectiveness and to gather any suggestions for improvement. The Domestic Lane Working Circle, which consists of CBSA and MCA representatives, has reviewed the survey results and poured over the many comments received. The community’s input was greatly appreciated, and the working circle is determining what adjustments or changes might be possible to ensure the Domestic Lane continues to be a meaningful improvement for the border crossing experience. Nia:wenkowa to all who participated in the survey.