B.C.'s Peace Arch Park remains closed even though COVID-19 border restrictions have ended
Although the COVID-19 border restrictions that prompted its closure have been lifted, B.C.'s Peace Arch Park has not yet been reopened.
Situated on the Canada-U.S. border, the park closed in June of 2020 due to concerns over an influx of visitors gathering there amid a ban on non-essential cross-border travel. In August of 2021, that ban was lifted but travellers had to show proof of vaccination and use the ArriveCAN app.
On Saturday, those remaining requirements were lifted. A spokesperson for the province said reopening the park is a "top priority," but stopped short of providing a date when this will occur.
"BC Parks is having conversations with the Semiahmoo Nation and other stakeholders on a reopening plan. The park was closed in line with federal border entry requirements for travellers, which have only recently changed," an emailed statement to CTV News said.
"The open nature of Peace Arch Provincial Park has made it challenging to ensure visitors were meeting border entry requirements, which is why the park remained closed. We will continue to engage with key stakeholders to ensure the park reopens as soon as possible."
The American side of the park, however, was never closed, which allowed people to continue to meet by hopping a small ditch at Zero Avenue in Surrey and entering Washington state.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.