Recently, there was a briefing session meeting held between the Public Safety Minister and Ontario Mayors belonging to the border cities indicative of the possible relaxation of travel restrictions previously imposed over the southern bordering regions. This is likely to happen by the end of the month of June 2021.

Drew Dilkens, Windsor’s Mayor informed in a conversation with iHeartRadio that even though the federal government has failed to dictate a potential fixed date, there is an expectation of the majority of the Canadian population to receive complete vaccination by the 21st of June. This shall be the major influential factor in the possible relaxation of these travel restrictions between the U.S. and Canada. Previously, in the month of May, Justin Trudeau, Canada’s Prime Minister had noted the necessity of vaccinating a minimum of 75% of Canadians and the subsequent reduction in positive COVID-19 cases within the country for any decision to be taken regarding easing of travel restrictions.

That has been observed, with lowered number of cases, wherein the U.S. has seen a  constant decline since the virus struck in March 2020 while the numbers have reduced in Canada to a situation resembling October 2020’s levels. Reports suggest that approximately 41% of American citizens have been vaccinated while about 5% of Canadians have received the complete vaccination whereby 58% of them have successfully received their first doses.

Jim Diodati, Niagara Falls’ Mayor had claimed Bill Blair, Canada’s Public Safety Minister, was expectant about 20% of the country’s population would be completely vaccinated while approximately 75% of them would have gotten their first doses by the 21st of June, 2020. On the other hand, he had beliefs for about 75% of the entire population to complete full vaccination sometime by the 21st of July. Diodati also suggested the federal government’s plans to reopen the border in a gradual sense and is quite hopeful for the declaration of a plan to reopen, as he stated in a discussion with CHCH TV.

In an interview with CIC News, James Cudmore, the spokesperson of the Minister of Public Safety suggested that an increase in the probability of relaxation of these travel restrictions and subsequent reopening of the border in collaboration with expert advice from public health professionals is all thanks to the improvement in the health status of the population owing to a majority of them getting vaccinated. However, he also sent out a warning of the possible extension of these restrictions provided the situation worsened post three weeks’ duration. Cudmore further quoted Minister Blair by stating that unless complete assurance is received from public health professionals and the total belief of lifting up of restrictions, there would be no significant change.

The latest poll conducted by Angus Reid depicted that Trudeau mentioned how Canada isn’t in a total rush or hurry to reopen the borders at all, whereas another survey revealed how more than half of the Canadian population wishes for zero changes to be made on these border restrictions at least till the month of September.

While attending a press conference session in Canada’s capital province, Ottawa, the Prime Minister stated how he felt this was the appropriate path to follow for the country and further decisions would be influenced based on what’s best for the citizens and not upon the hopes and wishes of other countries.

The federal government is the only righteous authority with the permission to make decisions based on border restrictions. Provinces are permitted to carry forward specific measures pertaining to public health or request for the conduction of regional measures, for example, the Ontario International Student ban, which never really came into action. In conclusion, travel restriction-based plans are all done thanks to the collaboration between Health Canada and the country’s federal government.