WINNIPEG — If you’re heading south of the border for the long weekend, be prepared for heavier traffic at U.S. customs at Emerson.
People at the crossing tell Global News the line-up at 12:00 p.m. Friday was more than an hour long.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection public affairs liason, Brian King, told 680 CJOB the long wait happens every long weekend. However, because the Toronto Blue Jays are playing in Minneapolis, there’s a big baseball draw that might be adding to more traffic on the highway.
“I’m guessing there’s going to be some baseball fans that move south temporarily for the weekend to watch the Jays and Twins play,” King said.
King said the traffic is only going to get busier Friday afternoon.
He said the best thing people can do to help the line move faster is have all your documents out and ready when you pull up.
Weak loonie
Pushed lower amid falling oil prices, the Canadian dollar is around 76.21 U.S. cents — the lowest it’s been in more than a month.
READ MORE: Loonie slides to lowest level in weeks amid falling oil prices
According to Statistics Canada around 1.7 million Canadian same-day car-trips were made to the U.S. last March. That’s down more that 300,000 same-day trips compared to the same time last year.
Some U.S. retailers are offering Canadians incentives to make the trip down south for the long weekend.
In Bellingham, Wash., a handful of stores in a local mall are accepting the Canadian dollar at par during holiday weekends in 2016.
READ MORE: Bellis Fair Mall puts Canadian dollar at par for holiday promotions
The stores include Macy’s, JCPenny and the Gap. The at-par offer runs from Friday until Monday.
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