St. Catharines MP Chris Bittle has said that even though there are “genuine concerns” about the impact the ArriveCAN app is having on Niagara’s tourism industry, the cost of gasoline and inflation are likely having a bigger impact on the flow of visitors (via The Standard).
“It does lead to problems because when people show up at the border without the app, it leads to longer backlogs,” Bittle said about ArriveCAN. “I imagine higher gas prices are having a much bigger impact on the tourist industry than the ArriveCAN app. Tourists aren’t idiots coming in. They can manage it,” he added.
Meanwhile, Niagara acting medical officer of health Dr. Mustafa Hirji said the ArriveCAN app may be among the last lines of defence at border crossings, with little else left in place to prevent the spread of infection.
“I really want to understand better what they see as the challenges at the border, because the borders are open now. You can travel across the border,” Hirji said.
“Yes, there is checking some requirements for vaccination, but even many of those have been relaxed. There’s no more requirement to wear a mask, so from my perspective there’s not really much left in terms of border controls and I don’t think the border controls are having a major impact on the economy.”
Travel chaos continues in Canada at airports and other points of entry, as volumes have surged after the easing of COVID-19 restrictions. Canadian airports such as Pearson International in Toronto are seeing unprecedented delays, due to a lack of staff and the required ArriveCan app for entering the country.
Recently, the federal government added the Advance CBSA Declaration feature to the ArriveCan app, a tool that was previously only available on the web. The advance declaration feature is only available at two locations in Canada: Toronto Pearson and Vancouver International airports.
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Just recently used ArriveCAN to cross the border.
I do not see why people keep complaining about it. Very smooth process.
Canadian citizens have the right of entry in their own country. It shouldn’t be subject to smartphone ownership and/or tech savviness OR medical status for that matter. You can’t have 2nd class citizens based on any of those things.
And that’s true regardless of ArriveCAN, ArriveCAN just determines if you need to isolate/quarantine when you enter…
So, the fundamental right of entering Canada, except with the risk of arbitration detention if you don’t comply with using the app.
At this stage in the pandemic, what benefit to Canada does this limitation on a fundamental freedom serve? If we’re going to accept new restrictions on basic rights with “well, it’s not a big deal even if it doesn’t actually help”, where’s the line?
It’s just a fast way of verifying vaccination status… nothing more, nothing less.
Then, I’ll ask again, at this stage in the pandemic, what’s the benefit?
And it is more…it’s either do it or face detention.
Why does vaccination status matter today and why would not knowing require detention?
At this stage of the pandemic, that can’t possibly be a serious question.
Shouldn’t it be a simple question to answer then? I’m honestly interested in reading this.
that can’t possibly be a serious question
—–
LoL one that you are avoiding because I suspect you know you are WRONG!
I just really don’t want to get into the whole “explaining why vaccinations are important” thing at “this stage of the pandemic”.
It’s like arguing with somebody about Android versus iOS at this point. I get it, you think differently than I do. Live with the benefits and consequences.
I believe there has been a misunderstanding here, I’m fully vaxxed, my issue is with the ArriveCAN app.
There was a group of border city mayors who united in voice to dissuade the Feds from continuing with this app citing annoyance and inconvenience some two months back.
Personally, I value their opinion more than one solitary politician who is most likely having his strings pulled by a higher authority.
FTR I am also against the Feds mandating this app to cross the border. Government has no business strong-arming their way into our smartphones.
If people choose to download the app, that’s their business but no way should the feds bully their way in.
Except it is entirely different. iOS VS android is personal preference. The actual benefits and effectiveness of vaccine are not preference. “Thinking differently” is opinion, but that doesn’t actually change the facts.
I hope you aren’t basing your position on a misguided belief that vaccines stop, prevent or even slow spread of covid. At this point in the pandemic, no one should be operating under such a misinformed position. If, instead, your position is based on wanting to punish the unvaxed out of spite or the excuse that they are going to fill the ICUs, neither of those justifies detaining citizens for crossing the border without an app.
As for “live with the consequences”, what a horrifying opinion. The detention is not a natural result of not being vaxed. It’s an arbitrary and out of date and imposed consequence of not obeying. I asked where your line was. That’s a terrifying line you’ve arrived at.
Edit: I remember now. A year ago, when vax mandates first came out, you were very eager in your support for them because they’d keep you safe in arenas and restaurants and let you get back to life (even if others couldn’t). Being surrounded only by the vaccinated would protect you from covid. That’s a very misinformed and misguided position to still have. It’s more than a little dangerous, from a mental health, public health policy and good governance perspective.
Isn’t it interesting how EVERY debate about mandated actions slides into one about the efficiency or the necessity of vaccines.
What people fail to understand 99% of the time is that you can be vaccinated but still retain cognitive functions that allow you to question arbitrary and dictatorial decisions.
Let’s be very clear: it’s not the stupid invasive app that will stop COVID….if this cretinoid government thinks we’re truly at risk, close the border and impose quarantine…. don’t ask for proof of vaccination fully knowing that vaccine efficiency has dropped and immunity vanes after 3-4 months.
PTSD and fear. After over 2 years of living in fear, being told what they were allowed to do (to the point of begging to be locked in their homes) and being told vaccines will give them their lives back, a lot of people can’t see reality anymore.
and there you have a 2nd class citizen.
I don’t understand why the title doesn’t say “LIBERAL MP Chris Bittle Downplays…”
We understand that it’s a shame to be associated with this country-destructing party, but hey, you made your bed and filled the mattress with $$$.
Stop making it sound like a normal person said something in defence of ArriveCAN’T
I don’t understand why the title doesn’t say “LIBERAL MP Chris Bittle Downplays…”
We understand that it’s a shame to be associated with this country-destructing party, but hey, you made your bed and filled the mattress with $$$.
Stop making it sound like a normal person said something in defence of ArriveCAN’T
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