7.16.21 BNP Advocacy Alert – Trudeau: Border Could Reopen to Vaccinated Travelers in August
Blog Categories
July 16, 2021
In a conference call Thursday with Canadian officials, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Canada plans to allow vaccinated Americans to cross the border for non-essential travel by next month.
According to a readout of the call, Trudeau “noted that, if [Canada’s] current positive path of vaccination rate and public health conditions continue, Canada would be in a position to welcome fully vaccinated travelers from all countries by early September. [Trudeau] noted the ongoing discussions with the United States on reopening plans, and indicated that [Canada] could expect to start allowing fully vaccinated U.S. citizens and permanent residents into Canada as of mid-August for non-essential travel.”
The informal announcement lacked any formal policy details or logistics, but it reflected a shift in the Trudeau administration’s thinking, which has resisted pressure to reopen the border sooner. The border has been closed to non-essential travel since March 2020.
The BNP has been vocal about the need to reopen the border as soon as possible. We recognize that the continued border closure has caused significant economic and cultural damage, which is why we called for its opening in April.
In May, the BNP teamed up with Ontario’s Greater Niagara and Hamilton Chambers of Commerce to explain the benefits reopening the border would have for our binational economy.
The BNP has also communicated with federal lawmakers about the need to reopen the border as soon as possible, and we thank Sen. Schumer, Rep. Higgins, and Rep. Jacobs for their efforts on this issue.
Although this decision is long overdue, the BNP is pleased to see progress. As the Trudeau administration releases more formal guidance in the coming weeks, the BNP will keep members informed on what you need to know to cross the border.
Related Posts
8.2.21 Advocacy Alert: CDC Eviction Moratorium Expires; NY’s Still in Effect
With no action taken by Congress or the CDC, the federal eviction moratorium expired July 31.
The expiration will not impact New York until September. Earlier this year, the State Legislature passed S.6362/A.7175, a bill to extend the state’s eviction moratorium through August 31.
8.2.21 COVID-19 Bulletin: Cuomo Makes Recommendations on Vaccination Efforts
Yesterday, Governor Kathy Hochul announced she would repeal the state’s mask mandate, effective today. However, her announcement did not proactively address how the repeal coincided with the NY HERO Act, which would have required employees in most workplaces to continue masking.
8.2.21 Advocacy Alert: Senate Finalizes Bipartisan Infrastructure Details
On Sunday, senators released the text of their bipartisan infrastructure bill.
With the 2,700-page text released, all 50 Democratic senators and 18 Republican senators voted to take up debate on the bill, indicating strong bipartisan support for the measure.
7.30.21 COVID-19 Bulletin: Poloncarz Updates BNP Members on Delta Variant
At a special briefing for BNP members this morning, Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz provided updates on the county’s COVID-19 status and indicated mask mandates could eventually return.