Ford says 'borders are broken' in plea to Ottawa

Ontario Premier Doug Ford says "the borders are broken" and is pushing Ottawa to tighten restrictions at international land crossings amid a COVID-19 surge.

Ford says if it were up to him, he’d shut down Toronto's Pearson International Airport and the province’s land borders to stop some travellers from exploiting loopholes in federal measures.

Ford says he "will not let this issue go because too much is at stake."

The comments came as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said there are already tight controls at land borders, including tests before and after crossing and mandatory two-week quarantines.

Trudeau also said Ontario had asked Ottawa to suspend the arrival of international students and that federal officials will reach out to work directly with the province. He says no other province has made the same request.

Ontario has asked the federal government to impose mandatory three-day quarantines in hotels for travellers entering Canada at land crossings.

Canada's chief public health officer said Friday that daily COVID-19 case counts declined by seven per cent over the past week to an average of less than 7,900 infections.

Dr. Theresa Tam says the number of people with severe illness continues to rise, with an average of 4,400 hospitalizations each day over the past week, including 1,420 patients in intensive care.

Going out? Do it safely. Get your #COVID19vaccine when one is available to you, and follow the advice of your local public health authority. These are the most effective ways to #StopTheSpread. 😷https://t.co/xNqzh5BUGN pic.twitter.com/1SRLNtcv8E

— Dr. Theresa Tam (@CPHO_Canada) April 30, 2021

Tam says an average of 50 deaths were reported daily over the past week.