New Canada Travel Restrictions Appear Imminent: Trudeau Speaks This Morning
January 26, 2021 ctn_admin
Multiple news reports suggest the Trudeau government could announce tough, new travel restrictions this morning.
The Prime Minister is scheduled to address the media in Ottawa around 11:15 a.m., and several news reports suggest his Cabinet is ready to take strong action to battle the latest variant of COVID-19.
Citing multiple, unnamed sources, The Globe and Mail said Cabinet was debating possible moves Monday night but hadn’t come to an agreement.
The Globe said some feel it’s unlikely Ottawa would bring in an outright ban on non-essential travel, which might require passage of the federal Emergencies Act. But a mandatory, 14-day quarantine at a Canadian hotel for arriving passengers – and at the travellers’ expense – would be an easier rule to implement, as would requirements for testing of those driving over the US-Canada border for essential purposes or those with family exemptions.
Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland on Monday said the Trudeau government is “very actively” looking at tougher measures.
“Given the virulence of the virus in the world today our government absolutely is looking seriously and carefully at measures to further guarantee the toughness of our border measures,” she said.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Toronto Mayor John Tory yesterday each called for stronger travel restrictions as soon as possible.
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