CANADA. The Frontier Duty Free Association (FDFA), Canadian border community mayors and South Okanagan-West Kootenay MP Richard Cannings have called on the federal government to eliminate the ArriveCAN app and end vaccine requirements for the land border.
The ArriveCAN app was introduced by government as a vehicle for providing mandatory travel information as individuals enter Canada.
A statement from FDFA said that the vaccine mandate travel announcement made yesterday by Federal Ministers makes clear that federal government does not clearly understand border communities and border businesses.
Under the new rules announced, unvaccinated Canadians will be able to fly domestically and abroad as of 20 June but incoming foreigners still have to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Canadians must continue to adhere to quarantine guidelines upon arrival.
Meanwhile, the existing restrictions on land border crossings between Canada and the US remain in place.
The statement also called on the government to “eliminate the inconsistent approach that has decimated border communities and businesses for over two years”.
FDFA Executive Director Barbara Barrett said: “Our border businesses are not being allowed to recover. We are still 50% down from pre-pandemic sales and this is directly related to the ArriveCan App and vaccination requirements at the land border.”
She added: “We know that these restrictive measures are hurting Canadian businesses more than they are helping keep Canadians safe.”
Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati said: “The tourism industry accounts for 105 billion dollars in Canada, and 40,000 jobs are directly related to tourism here in Niagara.
“We supported the federal government restrictions for years because it was the right thing to do. The science is now telling us that these restrictions at the border are no longer serving us. The restrictions are no longer helping us.”
Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley said: “Every border mayor can tell you horror stories about the border and the inconsistencies of the border measures. It’s arbitrary, we took the required steps at the start of the pandemic, but we’re being punished.”
