Open Letters & Statements
Joint Statement on Facilitating Safe Cross-Border Travel Between the United States and Canada
June 8, 2021
Joint Statement on Facilitating Safe Cross-Border Travel Between the United States and Canada
On behalf of businesses of all sizes in the United States and Canada, we congratulate our governments on their efforts to ensure that as many citizens as possible have the opportunity to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
In our view, the vaccination campaigns in both countries have progressed to the point where it is time to revisit the U.S.-Canada Joint Initiative that restricts non-essential travel across the land border. The measure took effect on March 21, 2020, and has since been extended on a monthly basis.
Starting on June 22, the United States and Canada should:
- allow fully vaccinated travelers to cross the border without needing to show a negative COVID-19 test result pre-departure or being subject to quarantine upon arrival;
- mutually recognize vaccine credentials to support the movement of fully-vaccinated travelers; and,
- produce a forward-looking plan that includes clear guidelines for all other travelers that are consistent across all modes of transportation.
Travelers allowed to cross the border would of course be required to comply with all applicable state, provincial, territorial, Indigenous and local public health guidelines.
Amending the Joint Initiative to take account of rising vaccination levels would sustain jobs, boost business confidence and allow more families to reunite. It would help facilitate a safe and gradual return to a more normal life.
Our respective organizations stand ready to help with this transition.
Hon. Perrin Beatty, P.C., O.C.
President & CEO
Canadian Chamber of Commerce
Diane J. Brisebois
President & CEO
Retail Council of Canada
Tabatha Bull
President & CEO
Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business
Suzanne Clark
President and CEO
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Dennis A. Darby, P.Eng., ICD.D
President & CEO
Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters
Goldy Hyder
President & CEO
Business Council of Canada
Matthew R. Shay
President and CEO
National Retail Federation