Canada’s tourism industry is calling on the Canadian government to alleviate congestion at Canada’s border crossings, and remove unnecessary restrictions.

Hotel association of Canada president Suzie Grynol says the time has come to move away from emergency measures brought in at the height of the pandemic towards a more measured and modern system.

She says the government needs to go further and faster and changing the regulations can be done ahead of the expected summer tourism rush, but the changes need to happen quickly.

Interim president of the Canadian Airport council Monette Pasher outlined three steps they want the government to take.

“Removing onsite mandatory testing from Canada’s airports, removing the Public Health Agency of Canada’s duplicate health check questions at government custom checkpoints and at the international border and removing vaccination mandates for CATSA and CBSA workers.”

The Public Health Agency of Canada announced Tuesday that border rules would be extended until at least June 30.

Tourists coming into the country will still have to provide proof of being fully vaccinated, and unvaccinated Canadian citizens or permanent residents must also show proof of a PCR test taken prior to entering Canada, and quarantine for 14 days.

All travellers coming to Canada, regardless of citizenship, must also continue to submit their health information through the ArriveCAN app before entering the country. Randomized testing for those who are fully vaccinated also remains in place.

CJGX