Tourism operators call for an end to land border restrictions
Northern Ontario's tourism organizations and operators sent a message to the Canadian government Wednesday morning: they want an end to pandemic restrictions.
Members are calling for an end to random testing, the use of the ArriveCan app and the ban on unvaccinated travellers.
"Although the border was fully opened to vaccinated traffic in August of last year, there remains uncertainty that is making that is making Canada far too challenging for travellers," said Laurie Marcil of Nature & Outdoor Tourism Ontario.
Marcil said tourism businesses in northern Ontario, which rely heavily on American dollars, have seen more than $100 million in cancellations since April.
They said the No. 1 reason is border restrictions.
"The vast majority of guests to northern Ontario arrive through our land-border crossings," said Marcil.
"Right now, the number of American guests travelling through our land-border crossings is at 50 per cent of what it was pre-COVID."
"We're asking for the government to level the playing field in terms of access -- you know we can travel to the EU, UK and other countries," said Destination Northern Ontario's David MacLachlan.
Tourism operators like Bob Garson said they know this isn't going to be a popular call with everyone, adding he's seen a shift in some local attitudes towards tourists.
"Our greatest fear is that we're going to have guests that we've had ever since we owned the business in the last 20 years, they'll break that chain and no longer come -- even when there are no restrictions," said Garson.
Another frustrated tourism operator called it "a flu."
"It's not fair, it's not right and it's not following the science -- in northern Ontario we face the very real prospect of losing businesses in this period of recovery than we did in lockdown," said Tourism Industry Association of Canada's Chris Bloore.
When asked whether there was a happy medium -- a solution that could protect people but open up the borders -- Marcil said that's on the government.
"I think we want to present to them the challenges we face … with not having those people allowed into the country," said Marcil.
So far, there's been no concrete indication from the government how long the restrictions will remain in place.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Senate expenses climbed to $7.2 million in 2023, up nearly 30%
Senators in Canada claimed $7.2 million in expenses in 2023, a nearly 30 per cent increase over the previous year.
Pedestrian, baby injured after stroller struck and dragged by vehicle in Squamish, B.C.
Police say a baby and a pedestrian suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a vehicle struck a baby stroller and dragged it for two blocks before stopping in Squamish, B.C.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
BREAKING Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko won't play in Game 2
The Vancouver Canucks will be without all-star goalie Thatcher Demko when they face the Nashville Predators in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.