WASHINGTON – Rep. Brian Higgins, a Buffalo Democrat, Friday teamed up with Rep. Elise Stefanik, a prominent Republican congresswoman from the North Country, to pressure both the U.S. and Canadian governments to develop a plan to reopen the border between the two countries.
"We are writing to you to request that the United States and Canada work together to develop nuanced and particularized guidance for reopening the northern border, the longest land border between two countries, recognizing the incidence of Covid-19 along the border is diverse," the lawmakers wrote in a letter to Chad Wolf, the acting U.S. homeland security secretary, and Bill Blair, Canada's minister of public safety and emergency preparedness.
"Recent reporting suggests that current travel restrictions will be extended through July and we are increasingly concerned about the impact a restricted border will have on our communities long-term," they added.
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The letter from Higgins and Stefanik – a key ally of President Trump during impeachment hearings – comes several days after sources on both sides of the border indicated that the border would likely be closed to unnecessary travel through much of July. The two countries essentially shut down the border in mid-March to slow the spread of the coronavirus, and the closure has been extended on a monthly basis ever since.
Travel across the border has been limited to U.S. citizens returning home and individuals traveling for medical, educational, emergency response and government reasons. Cargo drivers and members of the military have been able to cross the border as well.
But Buffalo-area residents who own property in Canada have not been able to cross the border, nor have Canadian shoppers.
In their letter, Higgins and Stefanik indicated it's a mistake for the two governments to continue such broad travel limits.
“We appreciate that the incidence of Covid-19 at communities along the border varies and we respect the public health imperative, yet a one-size-fits-all approach toward allowing travel across the border has the impact of keeping communities apart," the lawmakers wrote. "There must be binational coordination to develop a plan to safely allow for reasonable travel taking into account public health considerations but acknowledging our unique interconnected economies."
Such a plan should not pose a public health danger if people act responsibly, Higgins and Stefanik added.
"The movement of people and goods across the border in a safe and responsible way will also require individuals to be disciplined in their own communities and abide by the safety precautions prescribed by their public health officials," the lawmakers wrote.
Higgins also spoke Friday with Kristen Hillman, Canada’s ambassador to the U.S. Higgins' office said she promised to convey the congressman's concerns to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
