Phase 1 of easing border measures is a long-overdue step, but falls short

Today’s announcement marks a long-overdue step toward easing border measures for travellers entering the country, but it falls far short of the comprehensive plan that Canadians need.

We’re told this is the first phase of the government’s approach to easing border measures, but what are the next phases – and how will we know when we get there?

A transparent plan with clear benchmarks to reopen travel would be a powerful tool for encouraging Canadians to get fully vaccinated.

The Council is disappointed that the government hasn’t seen fit to tell Canadians what they can look forward to as the vaccination campaign rolls on.

I’m disappointed, too, that the light at the end of the tunnel is still a long ways off for Canada’s battered travel, tourism and hospitality sectors.