Sarnia's mayor is happy to hear reports that pandemic border measures are likely coming to an end.
Sources say the federal government will drop the vaccine requirement to cross the border on September 30. The use of the controversial ArriveCAN app, for land, sea and air crossings, will become optional.
Mayor Mike Bradley said it's time to move back towards normalcy as it relates to the border crossing.
"We did not get the recovery in the tourism business this past summer that we expected and mainly because of the ArriveCan app and the fact that it is a barrier for Americans who do not want to use it to come over here. And we've seen a significant reduction in American traffic which can be directly pointed back to the app."
On Tuesday, numerous border city officials from Canada and the US penned an open letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and U.S. President Joe Biden, calling for the border requirements to be relaxed. Bradley, Sarnia-Lambton MP Marilyn Gladu, Windsor West MP Brian Masse, Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens and Port Huron Mayor Pauline Repp were among those who signed the letter.
"We want to be on the leading edge of pushing this," said Bradley. "I've said many times, when you're riding a dead horse, dismount it. I'm hoping this time around we have enough support building even within the political parties in Ottawa that they would support now ending the ArriveCan app and then moving towards more normal traffic at the bridges."
Bradley said despite repeated calls to end ArriveCan, the federal government has stood its ground. He said reports that COVID-19 travel measures could be lifted by the end of September was probably a strategic release.
"You leak the information, see the reaction, and that's why the timing of the letter going from myself and other Ontario border mayors and from American mayors was brought about."