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
BNP Advocacy Insider – June 2021
The June 2021 Advocacy Insider is a roundup of important issues we are monitoring that could you and your business.
5.26.21 BNP Advocacy Alert – Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant Program
As you know, the Buffalo Niagara Partnership successfully advocated for the inclusion of small business recovery grants in this year’s state budget.
Through this fund, employers can access grants to help finance:
What Employers Need to Know About the HERO Act
Recently, Governor Cuomo signed the NY HERO Act, a bill that creates new workplace safety requirements. This legislation will have wide-ranging implications for employers across the state. The BNP strongly advocated for changes to make this legislation less burdensome.
5.19.21 COVID-19 Bulletin: NYS Releases Updated Mask Guidance for Employers
As we told you earlier this week, beginning today, New York State adopted CDC public health guidance for fully vaccinated New Yorkers. The new guidance gives employers the choice of adopting the new CDC guidance or maintaining mask/face covering and social distancing policies for both employees and customers.