OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the federal government is exploring ways to reunite family members divided by the temporary travel restrictions at the Canada-U.S. border.
Trudeau acknowledged recent media reports of family members or people with permanent-resident status being turned away by border agents as a result of a mutual ban on non-essential cross-border travel.
But he also noted that while some premiers support the idea, others are concerned about the potential risk of cases of COVID-19 being imported into their provinces.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford, for one, has been very vocal about his desire to keep the border closed to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, as has New Brunswick’s Blaine Higgs.
Trudeau said no matter what the government decides, it will be with the safety and well-being of Canadians at the forefront.
He also said that any steps would not impact the travel ban, which is currently set to expire June 21 but could be extended depending on the ongoing discussions between the two countries.
“There have been a number of stories in the media over the past weeks, and things we’ve heard from MPs, on families who have close family members who are separated because of citizenship at the U.S. border,” Trudeau said.
“We have been looking at ways of perhaps allowing close family members — children, spouses or parents, Canadian citizens or permanent residents — to be able to reunite under strict conditions.”
There are no cases of covid in soo ontario.
I havnt seen my husband in over 75 days..
Yeah let’s open borders and let all the diseased yanks in.
At least open the border for both Cities Soo Ontario and Soo Michigan. The bridge tolls are going to be sky-high when they open to make up for the lost tolls. The Bridge Company depends on Tolls to keep the bridge open and maintain it. Opening the 2 border cities will help keep the Tolls at a reasonable price. Keep the traffic from the rest of Michigan away from Canada.
2 week quarantine for the whole house where they are going!!
How badly does our economy need those big USA dollars coming in?
Should we open the border to help our tourism industry?
At what point is it considered safe to open up border crossings?
Now if they could stop people who are landing in Canada from the airports this could be over.
Open it up fully enough of the bs
Dam u people are rude
Just open it. I’m tired of this keep it closed attitude!!! It’s a big deal for some of us to be able to cross. Had enough with this BS!
Keep it close
Border should remain closed
Open the border….leave the 14 day quarantine in place…and make it with out pay due to personal choice!
MacDonal Robinson only if they do that , dont believe all of them will
Do not open the boarder yet!!! I love going shopping there but please wait until the numbers of infected people goes down more.
Lorie Folz VanScoy yes open the boarder enough of that bs
Lorie Folz VanScoy I agree 150%
Yes please! I will do whatever they want. (Within reason! )😜
My fiance is over there I haven’t seen him since January.
Norma Kay sane with a friends daughter & she pregnant, due in August …..
Oh boy! I really hope they are reunited!
Norma Kay my fiancée is across as well and it’s been a struggle especially with my so who has a hard time understanding why she can’t come back
You can fly back to Canada look into that
Please don’t open the border yet. Those saying if you don’t want to go then don’t…I’m not worried about going cause I won’t be going anywhere, it’s what would be coming in that I’d be more concerned about. Who knows how many cases will be brought through. Our numbers have been relatively low here considering & I’d like to keep it that way.
Does this mean Canadians get to visit with their families that are in Canada?
Cheryl-lynn Shelley fingers crossed!
Andrew Stuetz if they are opening the border then we should be allowed!
Overdue, Canada has done a fine job on limiting the cases and exposure for sure.
Sharee Derr Ginkinger we have but they haven’t…in michigan alone they have 10’s of thousands of cases last I read…
Nicole Wigmore Cumming all bs
Marie Guindon I’m immune compromised as is my son so I’m sorry I don’t want them here…there are many many people that don’t get to see family regularly suck it up
Nicole Wigmore Cumming my husband have cancer kidney failure since day one we never did change anything in our life I refuse to be control by a goverment
O please it’s only been a couple months. Most extended families only get together at holidays anyway!
Some binational couples share custody of their children.
Bradley Shaw yeah I have more than “extended family” over there, like a girlfriend and her folks… it’s been long enough.
Exactly! We should not be punished.
Bradley Shaw I know a young lady , who is pregnant, due in August , but her fiancé is over in Michigan !!!!
All this is government control
Marie Guindon no this is what happens when you travel for what ever reason too another country but expect it will all be the same as in Canada! And the border is closed for very good public health reasons!
Heather Crough and
Heather Crough she lives in Canada so will have the benefits of Canadian health care, and they can see each other when the border opens. If you look hard enough everyone has a sob story.
Bradley Shaw whatever ….
Bradley Shaw it’s sad ….. let him come over !
Heather Crough as soon as they open the border I’m not sad
Bradley Shaw speak for ur own family I guess
Should have made their choice when this all started which side of the border to stay on.
Open it.. don’t want to go hey.. don’t go
#EndLockDown 👍
Lisa Gjos what lockdown
Mark Fluter here in Ontario Canada ..
Lisa Gjos we are not on lock down never have been. You have always been free to leave your home
Mark Fluter true
No don’t open the border we are not equipped for the hospital to handle more than 1 case of covid. Americans don’t have theirs under control
Trade hasn’t stopped. Keep it closed!
Time to open the border with our largest trading partner
Open the border !Dont want to go stay home !🙏🙏
Ruby Beharriell exactly! But the people who do travel need to be smart about it.
Oh I agree but let us decide if we want to go !🙏🙏
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