Alaska Senator Says Canadian Cruise Decision "Unacceptable," Laments Lack of Consultation

Alaska Senator Says Canadian Cruise Decision “Unacceptable,” Laments Lack of Consultation

February 9, 2021 Jim Byers

Canadians love to complain when American governments make decisions that affect us without telling us first.

Now, the shoe’s on the other foot.

An Alaska senator, Lisa Murkowski, says that not only is Canada’s recent decision to shut down large-ship cruises in Canadian waters unacceptable, but that the Canadian government didn’t consult Alaskan officials who are now dealing with an economic nightmare.

Murkowski, along with U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan and Congressman Don Young of Alaska, released the following statement:

“As the state with the most extensive shared border with Canada, the Alaska Delegation has worked in good-faith to seek compromise over border crossing restrictions due to COVID-19, keeping in mind the health and safety of Alaskans and Canadians. Canada’s announcement to ban all cruise sailings carrying 100 people or more travelling through Canadian waters, without so much as a courtesy conversation with the Alaska Delegation, is not only unexpected—it is unacceptable—and was certainly not a decision made with any consideration for Alaskans or our economy.

“We expect more from our Canadian allies. Upon hearing the announcement, we immediately reached out to Canadian and American agencies to try to understand the rationale behind this decision—particularly the duration of the ban.”

The Canadian government last week said all cruise ships with 100 or more people will be banned from Canadian waters through Feb. 28, 2022 as a way to help battle COVID-19.

Because most U.S. ships that depart from U.S. ports must stop in a foreign country before returning to the U.S., the Canadian ban effectively kills off most cruises to Alaska for the second straight year. And that’s a big blow for tourism in the 49th state.

“We are exploring all potential avenues, including changing existing laws, to ensure the cruise industry in Alaska resumes operations as soon as it is safe,” the Alaska delegation said. “We will fight to find a path forward.”