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The federal government is extending border restrictions for travellers entering Canada until at least June 30
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May 31, 2022 • 7 minutes ago • 1 minute read • 371 Comments Travellers crowd the security queue in the departures lounge at the start of the Victoria Day holiday long weekend at Toronto Pearson International Airport in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, May 20, 2022. Photo by Cole Burston/REUTERS
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COVID-19 restrictions at the border will remain in place for at least another month after a Conservative motion calling for the removal of all pandemic travel restrictions was shot down.
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The motion put forward by Conservative MP Melissa Lantsman (Thornhill) was defeated 202 to 117 on Monday in the House of Commons.
Current COVID-19 travel restrictions include random testing, proof of vaccination verification, and completion of mandatory ArriveCAN questions before entering Canada from an international destination (although requirements vary based on a traveller’s age, citizenship and vaccination status).
Lantsman said in her motion that these restrictions have led to “unacceptable wait times at Canadian airports”.
And the Canadian Airports Council has blamed massive customs delays across the country on the pandemic measures and insufficient staff, which have led to lineups so long the airports can’t physically contain travellers in some cases and keep them waiting on landed planes.
In the end, however, a majority of Lantsman’s colleagues in the House voted to keep restrictions in place.
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Transport Canada promised to take action to reduce travellers’ wait times last Friday, by increasing the number of screening officers and customs kiosks, and allowing advance customs declarations.
Transport Minister Omar Alghabra says discussions about balancing public health measures with the fluidity of the economy are still ongoing.
With additional reporting by The Canadian Press
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