Mike Bradley is happy the federal government is finally sharing its reopening plans for the Canada/U.S. border.
The Sarnia mayor said for months he, along with mayors from other border communities, have been asking for more information about how the easing of restrictions would work and projected timelines.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau gave premiers and territorial leaders an update on talks with the United States during a conference call Thursday. Trudeau said the government is aiming to allow fully vaccinated Americans into Canada by mid-August for non-essential travel.
Late last year, Mike Bradley told Blackburn News Sarnia he believed the restrictions would ease with the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine.
"Having been engaged in this issue now for quite some time, I have always believed that if people were vaccinated (two shots) in both countries, travel should occur," said Bradley. "In the past they used a 70 per cent number, and then a 75 per cent number. That would be very difficult I think to achieve in Michigan, but they're going to have to make that judgement, and I think that's why Justin Trudeau is qualifying 'maybe' in August."
Bradley said he expects further details will be released in the coming days.
"What he's really doing is what the border mayors of Ontario have been asking now for many months, is to tell us your plan, give us the timeline, give us what the qualifications will be," he said. "But, I noted he didn't say anything about Canadians, because the border is still closed to many Canadians who want to go see family and loved ones in the United States, and that needs to be addressed too."
Pandemic restrictions at the border, including the Blue Water Bridge, have been in effect since March 2020.
The closure has been extended each month since then, and is currently set to expire on July 21.