Travelers who frequently cross the Canada-U.S. border will need to adjust to a new schedule starting in the new year. The Canada Border Services Agency has announced that as of 12:01 a.m. local time on January 6, 35 ports of entry will be changing their hours of service to enhance security for both countries.

According to a news release issued on Monday, the adjustments will affect 12 ports of entry in Manitoba, 10 in Quebec, six in Saskatchewan, four in New Brunswick, two in British Columbia, and one in Alberta. The specific changes in hours for each port of entry can be found on the Canada Border Services Agency website.

The modifications in operating hours were developed in collaboration with the United States and were based on an analysis of operations, peak periods, and necessary services at each border crossing. The alternative option of crossing the border within 100 kilometers was also considered in the planning process.

Both Canada and the U.S. will be adjusting their crossing times to coordinate open hours and facilitate the return of inadmissible travelers and goods between the two countries. This strategic shift aims to allocate more resources to border officers for enforcement activities and facilitate traveler processing at busier ports of entry.

It is worth noting that the increase in the number of U.S. Border Patrol encounters along the Canada-U.S. border has been a significant factor in prompting these changes. The Canada Border Services Agency emphasized that the adjustments were not made in response to recent political events, such as the election of Donald Trump as president.

Rebecca Purdy, senior spokesperson for the Canada Border Services Agency, clarified in an email to CBC that the decision to alter border hours was the result of months of analysis and planning, unrelated to any specific political developments.