Canada's summer

by Maj (ret'd) CORNELIU E. CHISU, CD, PMSC, FEC, CET, P. Eng. Former Member of Parliament Pickering-Scarborough East As we approach the most coveted Canadian summer, a time for us to relax and recharge our batteries, the liberal government is easing their control on us, by removing, albeit reluctantly, some of the Covid-19 generated restrictions. As of June 20th Canada has dropped the vaccine mandate for domestic and outbound international travel so that all Canadians are now able to enjoy their constitutional right to travel. However, all re-entry requirements will remain in effect, and all passengers will continue to have to wear face masks. The recent government change of heart will allow unvaccinated Canadians to board planes and trains heading to either domestic or international locations, but they will still be required to follow the current testing and quarantine requirements upon re-entry from international destinations. Foreign nationals coming to Canada will still be required to be vaccinated in order to enter, though they would be able to depart the country if unvaccinated. Not allowing unvaccinated foreign nationals to leave Canada was a breach of international law anyway, tantamount to holding foreign national hostages in Canada. Implementing these kinds of faux pas legislation reveals the status of competency of our current government, particularly highlighting the expertise at global affairs. As a control measure over the whereabouts of Canadian citizens, the requirement to use the ArriveCAN app to show proof of vaccination upon arrival to avoid a federal quarantine, will continue. On taking the floor for the latest liberal government stand on vaccine mandates, Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc, Transport Minister Omar Alghabra, Treasury Board President Mona Fortier, and Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos made the announcement last week, alongside major updates to Canada's vaccine mandates for transportation workers, and federal employees. In revealing the updated policies, the government says the mandates have been effective through the thick of the pandemic, but were never meant to be permanent. Though, should case counts climb again, federal officials say they won't hesitate to reinstate any suspended COVID-19 travel restrictions. So beware of the monkey virus!!!!! "The decision today is not based on something that we woke up yesterday or this morning, and decided to do. We've done our homework… What got us [to] today was a period of discussions, of consultations, of looking at the big picture, of preparing ourselves for a potential wave in the fall, but [also] the current situation today. It's clear that the COVID situation is not the same now as it was last fall when we implemented the vaccine mandate." said Minister of Transportation Alghabra. So maybe he finally needs to wake up to the reality of the word around us. In recent months, pressure has been mounting for the government to lift the travel vaccination requirements from opposition politicians and the travel industry, citing the significant strains and delays at Canadian airports, as well as the easing provincial public health rules. The Liberals have defended the mandates, repeatedly referring to the need to follow the science and advice of public health officials. But the science seems to be more and more fictitious; more akin to political science than natural science. The liberal ministers said that the federal government's "top priority" remains keeping Canadians safe, and that this decision is not related to easing the strain at Canadian airports, which they attribute to "staffing shortages." Great political excuse! Rather, the ministers cited the virus' evolution, the current epidemiological and modelling projections, and the high vaccination rate in Canada as key factors in lifting the mandates now. All the excuses sound good, and more importantly, they're all politically correct. Anyway, this small step towards regaining our freedom, especially the freedom of movement, is positive. However, the policy change will likely prompt even more of an influx of travellers to descend on Canadian airports. Reacting to the news, the National Airlines Council of Canada-which represents Canada's largest carriers, including Air Canada and WestJet-said it views the move as a "major milestone for the aviation sector, the tourism industry, and for Canadian travellers," but said it is not enough to resolve the problems at airports. The Council is calling for immediate changes to ArriveCAN to eliminate duplicative health checks, end the mandate for inbound international travellers, and a commitment to make permanent the recent suspensions of mandates and random testing. "The government's decision to suspend the national vaccine mandate for air travel and transportation employees is a positive step, one that will simplify many aspects of travel and bring Canada closer to the emerging standard currently in place around the world. Airlines will work diligently to implement these changes," said the Council's interim president and CEO Suzanne Acton-Gervais in a statement. In conclusion, enjoy the upcoming summer. Big Brother seems to be relaxing too, and maybe even travelling.