COVID-19: Reopening the Canada-US border

Since March 2020 as COVID-19 swept across North America, the longest undefended border in the world has been closed to all but non-essential travel. Border cities have really felt the effect of the closure, which dramatically reduced business.

Is now the time to open the border up?

14 months and counting, the Canada US border has been closed to non-essential travel. Travel is down 80 percent between the two countries since the pandemic began. The tourism industry on both sides of the border have been devastated by the closure and they’re looking for a clear path to re-open.

For many people on both sides of the border, the confusion as to who can cross and why has been unclear. Americans with seasonal homes in Canada can’t come across to their property. Yet, there are some Canadians who ignored the restrictions, flew to the US to get vaccinated.

Our Unpublished.vote poll question this week asks: Do you support the reopening of the Canada—US border to non-essential travel?

• Yes
• No
• Unsure

You can log-on and vote any time starting Saturday, June 12th at Unpublished.vote. Don’t forget to email your MP to tell them why you think what you do.

Guests:

In this edition of the Unpublished Cafe, we’ll hear from Mark High of the Canada—US Business Association. And Beth Potter, President and CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada will join us as well.