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
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.