There are Canadian efforts to get the Canada-US border reopened.
Some tourism groups in Ontario have been lobbying governments for it to happen soon, but safely.
Laurie Marcil with Nature and Outdoor Tourism Ontario says a working group was formed to find solutions.
“We’re focussing on health. We’re focussing on immigration. We’re focussing on tourism and trying to be part of other groups and coalitions that are talking about this issue,” says Marcil.
Marcil was among a number of tourism officials who spoke during the virtual Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association conference on Thursday.
The tourism industry has been hit hard by the pandemic and the closed border.
A large part of their clientele is stateside.
Marcil says every arm of government has been approached in their lobbying efforts.
“We’re trying to nudge government forward. We’re trying to make sure that they understand that we need to understand that they’re planning,” says Marcil.
Marcil has some optimism the border might reopen this year.
“I am still optimistic that we will have that border open this year. I can’t tell you when but it’s important for people to know that we are not sitting in here waiting for it to happen.”
The travel restrictions have been in place since March 2020. They were recently extended to May 21.
