A federal Cabinet member has stated that a controversial app tracking border travel is effective and will continue for the time being.
During an appearance Tuesday morning in Windsor, Transport Minister Omar Alghabra was questioned by reporters about the status of the ArriveCAN app. The app is used by border officials to keep track of travellers, and their vaccination status against COVID-19. ArriveCAN has been criticized by officials in Canadian border cities, like Windsor, for putting a crimp on trade and tourism.
Alghabra said that without the app, the flow of travel and trade across the border would be cost-prohibitive and slow down to a trickle.
"The process of verification will be manual and would be much more complicated and take a longer time," said Alghabra. "So I just wanted to set the record straight why this tool is helpful, and it really does enhance efficiency."
The minister said he is aware of the issues facing those in border towns like Windsor.
"I've spoken with many border communities, including here in Windsor," said Alghabra. "I've spoken with my colleague Irek [Kusmierczyk, Windsor-Tecumseh MP], and other colleagues who are sharing their feedback that they're hearing from their community, from the local stakeholders...and we're listening."
When asked about the privacy concerns raised by some people about ArriveCAN, Alghabra has assured people that those considerations have been covered.
"Courts, labour tribunals, and other bodies have looked at the justification for mandates and for other public health measures, and found them to be constitutional given the situation that we're in," said Alghabra.
While regional tourism has made a slow and steady recovery from the pandemic, ArriveCAN has critics that include the Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce, TWEPI, Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens, and Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley, who has called the app a "disaster".
---with files from Adelle Loiselle and Colin Gowdy