THUNDER BAY – While it may be causing pain for some sectors of the economy, the federal government is in no rush to reopen Canada’s border with the United States, says Health Minister Patty Hajdu.
The current agreement closing the border to non-essential traffic is set to expire June 21, but is widely expected to be extended. Canada recently allowed immediate family members of Canadian citizens or permanent residents to enter the country, with the condition that they self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival.
“We’re in no rush to reopen any of our international borders until we’re certain we have things under control in Canada, and that our systems at international borders are ready to go to be able to reduce any importation risk,” Hajdu said.
Safety measures being prepared at the border included developing comprehensive screening protocols, staffing border crossings with public health officers to support CBSA agents, and ensuring officials could effectively trace visitors’ contacts within the country after they arrive, said the Thunder Bay-Superior North MP.
Testing for COVID-19 at entry points would be no panacea, Hajdu said, noting issues with potential false negatives.
“I would say that might be a component of a health screen, but it wouldn’t be what we’d put all of our cards on.”
Hajdu suggested American officials were satisfied with her government’s cautious approach, given current exemptions for essential workers and commercial goods.
“My colleagues continue to have the conversations with the U.S. about the extension of the closure to non-essential travel,” she said. “Our sense is that they’re in a similar position as us, and as long as we can continue to assure the travel of essential workers, make sure that goods are able to cross the border, we’re in a good position with the Americans.”
Hajdu acknowledged that some sectors were suffering from the extended closure, particularly the tourism industry.
“Countries are really wrangling with this, and Canada’s no different,” she said. “We know our tourism sector is suffering, that people want mobility to travel – we’re working through all of those questions right now, and we’re working closely with the international community.”
