Vermont’s three-member congressional delegation sent a letter to President Biden on Monday, urging that he work with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to expand essential travel for crossing the U.S.-Canada border.
Sens. Patrick Leahy and Bernie Sanders and Rep. Peter Welch cited the cases of Vermonters who have not been able to see family members living across the border since the March 2020 closure and “have missed celebrations, goodbyes, births and other milestones.”
The letter also discussed the hit to businesses in Vermont and Canada caused by the closure.
“Small businesses in both Canada and the United States have struggled to stay afloat as regular cross-border travel has all but disappeared,” the delegation wrote. “Vermont businesses throughout the state that have long relied on tourism and activity from our Canadian neighbors have been particularly harmed.”
Canada is Vermont’s primary trade partner and the destination for nearly 40% of the state’s exports. One million tourists from the north visited Vermont in 2017, spending a total of $122 million during their stays, according to the Canadian government state trade fact sheet.
With U.S.-Canada border crossings limited to “essential travel,” tourism and recreational visits have been halted. But even for those who are eligible to enter Canada, the 14-day post-arrival quarantine requirement can be a barrier.
Tim and Nancy Parsons, residents of Weybridge, have not seen their youngest daughter since February 2020. Addy Parsons, a student at McGill University, has been unable to return home due to a combination of short breaks between terms, summer classes and the two-week quarantine requirement.
“We did a Zoom meeting for the holidays,” Nancy Parsons said. “For Mother’s Day, we did another.”
Since a visit to their daughter does not qualify as essential travel, the Parsonses have eagerly awaited the reopening of the border.
“We will be first in line when that door opens,” Tim Parsons said. “We will both call in sick to work, get in the car and drive.”
The Vermont delegation’s letter comes amid increasing pressure on Biden and Trudeau to reopen the border. On Monday, Politico reported that the Canadian government is considering loosening restrictions June 22.
