Ongoing U.S. border closure 'unnecessary' and 'cruel': Point Roberts residents
The ongoing closure of the U.S. land border is a "cruel and unusual and unnecessary punishment" to the people who live in Point Roberts, according to the American town's Chamber of Commerce president.
Brian Calder says the border community now resembles a "ghost town," 19 months after the border was closed to Canadians.
"Point Roberts is treated the worst in North America, vis-à-vis collapsing our businesses and bankrupting them," Calder said.
He says the situation has worsened since early August, when the Canadian government allowed fully-vaccinated U.S. citizens to cross the border for non-essential travel. Businesses like the town's only grocery store were hit even harder.
Ali Hayton, owner of the Point Roberts Marketplace, said business was already down by around 70 per cent over summer, and in the summer of 2020.
"On Aug. 9, when Canada said that Point Roberts residents could come into Canada, we dropped another 30 per cent from what we already thought was the bottom of the barrel."
Calder and Hayton say the current rules make no sense. Canadians are not permitted to drive across a land border for non-essential travel, but can fly. To get to the pene-exclave of Point Roberts, a fully-vaccinated Canadian citizen could fly from YVR to Seattle or Bellingham, and then on to Point Roberts.
Hayton says the rule also doesn't make sense because a Canadian citizen would have to be fully vaccinated to re-enter Canada once crossing the border to Point Roberts.
She believes there is "no real danger to anyone."
Point Roberts has recently gained attention from lawmakers in Washington State. Governor Jay Inslee visited over the summer and last week wrote his third letter to the White House asking for an exemption to be granted. https://www.governor.wa.gov/news-media/icymi-inslee-letter-president-biden-urges-action-point-roberts-and-border-communities
On Monday, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki was asked about Point Roberts during a briefing. Specifically, she was asked if she could explain why under the current rules Canadians, could not drive across a land border, but could still fly.
"It's determined by our public health officials and our objective, of course, is to return to overland travel, just like we're working to return to international, but we leave it to them to make that determination," Psaki said.
The current U.S. border closure is in place until at least Oct. 21.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Documents reveal Ottawa's efforts to get Loblaw, Walmart on board with grocery code
It was evident to the federal government as early as last fall that Loblaw and Walmart might be holdouts to the grocery code of conduct, jeopardizing the project's success.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.
'I just want to be safe': Ukrainian man in Canada faces limbo amid consular freeze
A recent decision to restrict consular services for fighting-aged Ukrainian men has made a Ukrainian man in Canada feel less certain of his next steps — and worried he could be pulled back to the war.
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.