'Not a big difference': Travel testing changes fall short for border community
While some believe the federal government’s changes to COVID testing requirements for travellers are a step in the right direction, others say it’s not enough for those frequently crossing the border.
“They focus on vacationing families, not people taking short trips,” Windsorite Chad Comartin said.
On Monday, the federal government announced it is eliminating the pre-arrival PCR test requirement for fully vaccinated travellers starting Feb. 28.
Travellers can instead opt for a cheaper rapid antigen test approved by the country they are coming from, taken 24 hours before their scheduled flight or arrival at the land border.
Comartin’s daughter, Avery, is a competitive soccer player who recently scored a soccer scholarship in the U.S.
Over the last five years, Comartin has driven his daughter across the border for practices with her Michigan team at least three times a week.
He says the new option to take a rapid test does not make his cross-border trips more convenient.
“If you could use a home rapid test sure that would be a game-changer, but the fact that you still have to go to a clinic and have a test that is certified, it’s not a big difference,” Comartin says.
Frequent cross-border travellers Chad and Avery Comartin. (Courtesy Chad Comartin)
“Overall this really is not a change that is going to help the tourism industry,” president of Ambassador Bridge Duty Free Shop Jason Warzecha says the testing changes will do little to aid business recovery.
He says their location is more than a tourist destination, but a daily occurrence.
“Overall this really is not a change that is going to help the tourism industry,” says Warzecha.
Faces of Advocacy, a grassroots Canadian organization aimed at reuniting families amid the pandemic, founder David Poon says it’s not the solution to bring families together.
“We’re grateful for a little progress but feel it’s not the exact thing we need to fully reunify families in a safe and compassionate way,” says Poon
Poon is encouraging people to share their difficulties with decision-makers to help create change.
“We have a weekly letter-writing campaign with one click emails to Members of Parliament. It’s a better way to protest,” he says. “We have to show the government they must listen to us.”
David Poon, Faces of Advocacy founder during an interview with CTV Windsor's Sijia Liu.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Tensions flare between Poilievre and Singh in the House after NDP says it will back Trudeau Liberals
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh got into a heated exchange in the House of Commons on Thursday, just minutes after Singh announced his party would not be supporting the Conservatives' first non-confidence motion against Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government.
'It's disgusting': Quebec minister reacts after body of boy, 14, found near Hells Angels hideout
The province's public security minister said he was "shocked" Thursday amid reports that a body believed to be that of a 14-year-old boy was found this week near a Hells Angels hideout near Quebec City.
Missing six-year-old boy disappeared after school breakfast program: Manitoba RCMP
Shamattawa RCMP are searching for a missing six-year-old boy who hasn’t been seen since Wednesday morning.
Woman dead, toddler uninjured following B.C. police shooting, watchdog says
B.C.'s police watchdog is investigating the death of a woman who was shot by the RCMP after allegedly barricading herself in a room with a toddler early Thursday morning.
PM Trudeau names Anita Anand transport minister after Pablo Rodriguez quits cabinet
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tapped Treasury Board President Anita Anand to take on additional duties as Canada's minister of transport on Thursday.
Canadian women among those who allege Harrods boss sexually abused them
CTV News has learned there are multiple Canadian women alleging they were victims of sexual abuse at the hands of the late Harrods boss Mohamed Al Fayed.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police has lost 205 firearms since 2020, including machine-guns
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police has lost 205 firearms since 2020, including more than 120 handguns and at least five fully automatic weapons like machine-guns.
Shohei Ohtani becomes the first major league player with 50 homers, 50 stolen bases in a season
Shohei Ohtani became the first major league player to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a season, with the Los Angeles Dodgers star going deep twice to reach the half-century mark and swiping two bags to get to 51 against the Miami Marlins on Thursday.
Francois Legault wants the Trudeau government to fall
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is calling on the Bloc Quebecois to topple the Trudeau government next Wednesday and trigger a federal election.