Close X
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
ADVT 
National

Congressman cheers news on Canada-U.S. border

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 16 Jul, 2021 09:45 AM
  • Congressman cheers news on Canada-U.S. border

The member of Congress who led the charge against travel restrictions at the Canada-U.S. border is cheering the news that their days may finally be numbered.

New York's Rep. Brian Higgins says it's a relief to see Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is aiming to let U.S. citizens who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 back into Canada by mid-August.

Higgins calls it welcome news for people who live near the border, for whom crossing back and forth has long been a way of life.

Trudeau told Canada's premiers Thursday that as long as vaccination rates hold, eligible U.S. travellers — fully vaccinated citizens and permanent residents — could be allowed back in about a month's time.

He also says the government hopes fully vaccinated travellers from around the world could be arriving in Canada again by early September.

The mutual travel restrictions at the Canada-U.S. border, in place since March 2020, are due for renewal on Wednesday.

"The finish line is finally in sight for people who have been separated from their families and properties for way too long," Higgins said in a statement.

"For Americans and Canadians who live along the border and frequently cross as a way of life, action lifting restrictions for those vaccinated can't come soon enough."

Trudeau, whose office disclosed the latest news in a readout from the prime minister's call with premiers, did not mention whether Canada will require travellers to show proof of vaccination when they try to cross the border.

The White House has ruled out the notion of a national vaccine "passport," so it's not clear what type of credential travellers would require in order to enter Canada.

The readout noted that the group discussed working together on vaccine credentials and a system to allow Canadians "to travel internationally with confidence."

News of the shifting thinking comes amid two significant developments: the prospect of a summer or fall federal election in Canada and a surge in the U.S. of the Delta variant of COVID-19, primarily among unvaccinated Americans.

About 80 per cent of eligible Canadians have received at least one dose of a vaccine, and about 54 per cent are fully vaccinated. In the U.S., the rates are just 65 per cent and 56 per cent, respectively, for Americans over the age of 12.

MORE National ARTICLES

54 COVID19 cases for Thursday

54 COVID19 cases for Thursday
80.5% (3,481,176) of all eligible adults in B.C. have received their first dose and 51.9% (2,246,289) received their second dose.  

54 COVID19 cases for Thursday

Canada's vaccine supply close to exceeding demand

Canada's vaccine supply close to exceeding demand
Brig.-Gen. Krista Brodie says more than two million doses of vaccine are already being held back because provinces have said they can't use them — a big change from when all newly arrived doses were shipped around the country as quickly as possible.    

Canada's vaccine supply close to exceeding demand

B.C. expands safer alternatives to toxic drugs

B.C. expands safer alternatives to toxic drugs
The Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions says people who have been clinically assessed will get alternatives including oral opioids to replace drugs that could be laced with potentially deadly fentanyl.

B.C. expands safer alternatives to toxic drugs

Cruise ships back in Canadian waters on Nov. 1

Cruise ships back in Canadian waters on Nov. 1
The federal government says cruise ships will be allowed back in Canadian waters in November, but they must follow public health requirements. Transport Minister Omar Alghabra says the prohibition on cruise ships because of COVID-19 will be lifted Nov. 1.

Cruise ships back in Canadian waters on Nov. 1

Investigation into alleged racist comments hurled at a Sikh security guard in Kelowna taking place

Investigation into alleged racist comments hurled at a Sikh security guard in Kelowna taking place
Since then, a video has emerged of a protestor yelling what appear to be racially motivated comments and accusations at a staff member who asked him to leave the property.

Investigation into alleged racist comments hurled at a Sikh security guard in Kelowna taking place

Former defence chief Jonathan Vance charged

Former defence chief Jonathan Vance charged
Retired general Jonathan Vance, former chief of the defence staff, has been charged with obstruction of justice related to an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct.

Former defence chief Jonathan Vance charged

PrevNext