Government Relations Report Ron Steeves First Vice-President Over the summer months, as COVID-19 case numbers steadily decreased and vaccination rates increased, the Government of Canada amended many of the COVID-19 travel requirements which they had previously imposed. In July, the federal government announced a number of changes to existing border restrictions and entry requirements. These changes included, effective August 9, permitting fully vaccinated American citizens and permanent residents entry into Canada for non-essential purposes. This change marked the first time that American citizens would be allowed to enter Canada for non-essential reasons since March 2020, when the border closure was initially implemented. The federal government tentatively plans to reopen Canada’s borders to fully vaccinated travellers from the rest of the world on September 7, but this is subject to change based on domestic COVID-19 case counts. In addition, due to the increased rate of vaccination in the country, the federal government has also terminated the mandatory three-night hotel stay for all travellers. This program was eliminated effective August 9. This is a policy change for which the CSA advocated and is in line with the recommendations of the federal government’s own COVID-19 Testing and Screening Expert Advisory Panel. Further, effective August 9, fully vaccinated travellers are exempt from quarantine, however, all travellers must still provide a quarantine plan and be prepared to quarantine, in case it is determined at the border that they do not meet the necessary requirements. Unvaccinated and partially vaccinated travellers are still required to quarantine upon arrival in Canada for a 14-day period. It should also be noted that, regardless of one’s vaccination status, all travellers entering Canada are still required to provide proof of a negative molecular COVID-19 test. A full list of requirements for entry into Canada can be accessed at: travel.gc.ca/travel-covid. Despite the lifting of restrictions by our federal government, the Biden administration has still not made a reciprocal policy change at the land border. Entry into the U.S. at the land border for non-essential reasons remains prohibited until at least September 21. The CSA will continue to advocate for the safe reopening of the land border between Canada and the United States and we remain optimistic that Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be permitted to enter the United States through the land borders by the fall. Another issue of concern for snowbirds and other travellers remains whether the United States will impose a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination requirement for entry, and whether those vaccinated with the AstraZeneca vaccine or mixed doses of mRNA vaccines will be impacted. While the U.S. government is currently looking into the feasibility of imposing such a restriction, no formal decision has been made at the time of printing. The CSA is pushing to ensure that, if the United States requires visitors to provide proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 as a condition for entry, they recognize as acceptable a full course of all Health Canada-approved vaccines – including the AstraZeneca vaccine and the mixed doses of the mRNA vaccines. Stateside, we remain committed to passage of a Canadian snowbird visa in the U.S. Congress which would permit eligible retired Canadians to spend eight months in the United States annually, an addition of two months from the current policy. On July 9, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY) and CongressmanPeterWelch (D-VT) introduced theCanadian Snowbird Visa Act, a bipartisan companion bill to the Canadian Snowbirds Act which was introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senators Marco Rubio [R-FL] and Rick Scott [R-FL] in mid-June. The association is currently lobbying to have hearings held on this legislation and is looking at having a Canadian snowbird visa provision included in additional bills in order to increase the chances of passage. In Canada, following a meeting with Liberal Leader JustinTrudeauonAugust 15, Governor General Mary Simon approved his request to dissolve Parliament, triggering the issuing of the election writs and formally beginning Canada’s 44th federal election. Weeks prior to the September 20th general election, the CSA electronically distributed our Federal Election Handbook to all members. This guide covers the association’s primary issues and provides details regarding how to vote, along with key dates to ensure that members have the information which they need in order to exercise their right to vote. Judy and I wish you safe travels. CSANews | FALL 2021 | 15
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