SAGANAGA LAKE – This time, they hope it sticks.

In an announcement sent Feb. 18 to a collection of U.S. citizens, Canada extended most permits under the Remote Area Border Crossing (RABC) Program. In a statement sent to Paddle and Portage this morning, Canada Border Services Agency announced it “extended the validity of all permits issued after Sept. 1, 2023 to Dec. 31, 2025, at no charge to members. No action is required on the part of the permit holder, the existing permit will be accepted as valid until Dec. 31, 2025.”

Paddle and Portage also spoke on the phone this morning with a CBSA official who confirmed the accuracy of that announcement. The RABC website was updated at approximately 10:45 a.m. Central Time to reflect the change.

The “they” in the opening line of this story are the many people who’ve been waiting for clarity on the future of the RABC Program. In September, the Canadian government “paused the processing of new and renewal applications” for the RABC program that allows travelers to cross into certain remote parts of the Boundary Waters region.

This morning, after months of questioning from members of the press, Congressional staff, business owners, and people who felt as though they were being left in the dark, Canadian officials finally provided some indication about the future of the RABC program. The announcement is very similar to a report Paddle and Portage shared in January that was later walked back by Canadian officials.

There are still some questions that need to be answered. For example, there are some indications that no new RABC permits will be issued for 2025. In addition, it is not known what will happen to permits for 2026 and beyond, particularly if a “no new permits” approach carries over into next year.

CBSA responded to questions about new permits in an email they sent at 11:20 a.m. In a statement, they said: “New permit applications are still being accepted, but will only be processed once the review of the program has been completed. More information will be shared when available.”

The RABC permits allow U.S. citizens to cross into Canada on some border lakes, from Lake Superior over to Rainy Lake, without stopping at a customs checkpoint such as the Pigeon River entry point in Grand Portage. These permits cost about $35 to process and must be renewed annually.

This is the second time in recent years that RABC permits have been either suspended or paused. During the COVID-19 pandemic, all travel between the U.S. and Canada was suspended, with the RABC permits being suspended until 2022.

The RABC system has been in place for decades and has been effective in facilitating border crossings for individuals who live in remote areas and are unable to check in at an official point of entry, according to U.S. officials. It is also utilized by paddlers who enter Quetico Provincial Park through Cache Bay from the end of the Gunflint Trail and other locations.

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