Sarnia's mayor says it's most disappointing to see the extension of current COVID-19 border measures for travellers entering Canada.
Last week, the federal government announced it was extending measures, including the use of the ArriveCan app, until September 30. The measures were previously set to expire June 30.
Mayor Mike Bradley said the app is one of the last rules in place and that border mayors have been lobbying for it to be gone.
"It has caused anxiety at the border, it has caused operational issues, and it is one of the impediments we keep on hearing that's causing some of the problems at Pearson Airport. So, we expected it to be gone, not the direction the government has taken. They have ignored our concerns and the concerns of the hospitality industry across this country."
In June, Bradley was among a group of border city officials calling for an end of COVID-19 vaccine requirements at border crossings.
Bradley said the group was stunned to see the federal government make the universally opposed decision to extend the measures.
"We're actually even more concerned now that they're talking about using this COVID device, and that's why it was put in place, for other purposes at the border. It seems there was a much different agenda from the federal government back when they were dealing with us and working with us and trying to find cooperative ways of dealing with COVID and making the border effective."
Bradley said a big impact of the measures is popping up in Sarnia, Windsor and other border cities. He said a significant number of Americans are not willing to get on the app and use it to come to Canada to be tourists.
"And it's a huge impediment to us trying to restart our tourism industry and get it back up to where it was pre-COVID, and they just don't seem knowledgeable or understanding of the border cities."
He said the same thing happened about 10 years ago when the passport law was brought in.
"It brought a dramatic drop in American traffic over here. And in this particular case, if you put up a barrier, it will actually help American tourism."
Bradley said the message on the other side of the border is "stay in your own country, don't go through this process to come to Canada."
Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens echoed Bradley's comments.
"Extending border rules (including the use of ArriveCAN) into September, will further damage communities on both sides of the border, especially Windsor," said Dilkens. "It’s time we move forward and lift the layers of bureaucracy."
Under the extension, travellers will still need to provide proof of being fully vaccinated to enter the Canada. Those unvaccinated against COVID-19 will need to provide a molecular test taken prior to entering and quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. All travellers will also need to upload their vaccine information and travel documents to the ArriveCan app.
Bradley said the border city mayors will regroup and look at the approach they are going to take.
"We have been vocal publicly, we will do that again. We think the government has ignored border cities and not respected them, the impacts on our tourist traffic because of this app, and also the impact on our citizens."
Bradley said this decision by the government appears to be dictated by politics, not science.