By Thomas I. Likness
EBC Edmonton Bureau
EDMONTON (Eagle News) — A decision is expected this week whether to extend the ban for a fourth time on non-essential cross-border traffic between Canada and the United States, said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Monday.
“Those discussions are ongoing with the United States right now as we are a week from the next deadline for closures,” said Trudeau. “We’re going to continue to work had to keep Canadians safe and to keep our economies flowing and we’ll have more to say later this week, I’m sure.”
The border was first closed March 21st and every month, that closure has been extended for another 30 days.
Trudeau spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump this morning but sidestepped questions on whether he raised the issue with Trump or how Trump responded.
“We recognize that the situation continues to be complex in the United States in regards to COVID-19,” said Trudeau. “Every month we’ve been able to extend the border closures to all but essential goods and services.”
Trudeau did not seem to be keen on a suggestion that the closure be extended until the end of the year rather than renegotiating it monthly.
“We’ve pledged to continue to monitor closely the situation that is constantly evolving,” he said. “We will be discussing with our American partners what the next steps should be and I think that this is a situation that is evolving rapidly and therefore we need to keep responding to the situation on the ground.”
There has been growing pressure from the U.S. to reopen the border.
With an increasing number of cases of COVID-19 being reported, however, the majority of Canadians, more than 80%, are not ready to put out the welcome mat for visitors. They say keep the border closed indefinitely.
The closure has had little effect on business. Essential goods move back and forth between the two countries. Only the tourism sector is hurt and given the state of personal finances and the fear of getting infected, it is going to be slow for a long time.
(Eagle News Service)