Daines, Tester urge U.S. to follow Canada's lead on border opening

Following an announcement by the Canadian government an ease in border restrictions would allow fully vaccinated American citizens and permanent residents to enter the country for nonessential travel, Montana's senators are urging President Joe Biden to allow Canadians into the U.S.

Canada's ease in border restrictions goes into effect Aug. 9 at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time.

Sources report that U.S. Department of Homeland Security was publishing a notice today that U.S. restrictions would be extended to Aug. 21.

The two countries agreed last year to restrict travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and they have been extended each month since then, until Canada's announcement of relaxing its restrictions next month.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki told reporters at a White House briefing Monday restrictions would continue and any decisions concerning reopening would be with guidance from public health and medical experts.

 "I wouldn't look at it through a reciprocal intention," Psaki said.

Hill County Commissioner Mark Peterson said today Canadian tourism will have a huge impact on the community when the U.S. relaxes restrictions.

"It'll have a huge impact on state Highway 232 with a lot more traffic on that road, and we know what the road is like, so there'll be a huge impact," Peterson said.

"There will be a huge impact to the businesses in Havre and the surrounding area in Hill County. Canadians come down and they like to shop, and we haven't had that for almost two years," he continued.

Peterson said Canadian visitors spend money on clothing, food, virtually everything.

Havre Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Julea Robbins echoed those sentiments. 

Although Robbins couldn't give an estimate as to how much money comes into Havre and the surrounding area thanks to Canadian tourism, she did say Canadians make up around 30 percent of the area's tourism in many years.

"Canadian visitors love our retail shops down here. They can get some things that they can't get up in Canada for good prices. And so we really get a lot of shoppers coming down. They'll come to Havre and then they'll go on to Great Falls and such," Robbins said.

"But it also really impacts our hotels because of that border crossing being a little bit further away, or at least the 24-hour one, they end up staying the night a lot. So between the retail and the hotels, they spend quite a lot," she added.

A limited port of entry, Wild Horse, is north of Havre, with limited hours and a permit required for hauling freight. The nearest 24-hour commercial port of entry, Sweet Grass, is north of Shelby.

Both Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., and Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., released statements on the matter Monday.

"Trade and travel across the U.S.-Canadian border is critical for Montana families and for our economy, and this important milestone puts us one step closer to our economy returning to normal," Tester said. "I've pushed both the Biden Administration and Canadian officials to find a way to reinstate nonessential crossings as quickly and safely as possible, and I look forward to the boost Montana's economy will receive once travel resumes on both sides of the border.

Tester's statement says he has been calling for the border to be opened since May. The statement discusses the economic impact of Canadians on the state, citing the U.S. trade representative.

The statement said Montana exported more than $692 million in goods to Canada in 2018, representing 42 percent of the state's total goods exports.

Daines' statement said the senator has been urging the Biden administration to reopen the northern border for more than a year.

"It's time to reopen the border between Montana and Canada, and it's time to do it now, not weeks from now. Doing so is essential for Montana families, agriculture, jobs and tourism," Daines said. "While I'm encouraged to see Canada finally make an official announcement about opening the border, it needs to be reopened fully and immediately, and I urge the Biden administration to respond and ensure this happens." 

Daines then criticized Biden for opening the southern border "to illegal immigrants and drugs." Daines called the move hypocritical and frustrating for Montanans.

The U.S. closed the Mexican border to nonessential travel as well, and that restriction also remains in effect.

Daines sent a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Homeland Security June 17 urging them to safely reopen the border as soon as possible.

Daines sent a letter to the Biden administration in March urging the president to open the border.

More information on the easing of restrictions on the Canadian side is available in Tuesday's edition of Havre Daily News or online at https://www.havredailynews.com/story/2021/07/20/local/canada-easing-border-restrictions-effective-aug-9/534645.html .