Starting on June 20, domestic and outbound international travellers no longer have to show proof of vaccination against COVID-19 in order to enter Canada. However, inbound travellers will still need to enter their health information, quarantine plan and proof of vaccination through the ArriveCAN app.
The ArriveCAN app was introduced during the pandemic to allow travellers to report their trips and vaccination status and COVID-19-related health information before arriving in Canada.
The calls to drop the app come a day after the federal government announced that it is easing a number of restrictions introduced during the pandemic. It did not announce it was eliminating the ArriveCAN app.
A group of mayors and businesses in communities along the Canada-U.S. border is calling on the federal government to end the ArriveCAN app, saying it is discouraging Americans from visiting and shopping in Canada.
And there we have it. The ineffective and unreliable #ArriveCant app was supposed to be a temporary measure but now we finally know, it’s here to stay. And so, too, will be the crippling delays at our borders and largest airport. https://t.co/vZFPoNhiQO
— Senator Leo Housakos (@SenatorHousakos) June 19, 2022
Canadian and American border cities, urged that keeping the ArriveCAN app will have a “long lasting” impact on the country’s tourism sector.
What’s happening right now is Americans are showing up in the minivan with their family at the border with no knowledge of the ArriveCAN app. There’s a lineup of cars behind them. They can’t get into the country.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Transport Minister Omar Alghabra gave no indication that the federal government is considering scrapping the ArriveCan app for travellers.
My constituent's elderly father was deported from Canada because of the government's mess with ArriveCAN. Just imagine the stress and anxiety this 83y/o gentleman & his family went through. It's time for the Liberals to end their mandatory use of the #ArriveCAN app. #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/VhXjoaWbQT
— Larry Brock (@LarryBrockMP) June 17, 2022
The arrive can app is increasingly unnecessary, and it’s hopelessly broken.
"The arrive can app is increasingly unnecessary, and it's hopelessly broken. So when will the government commit to ending the chaos at our borders and our airports?" pic.twitter.com/zZiw7xf5Ap
— Canadian Riley (@TiaRileyCanada) June 22, 2022
“People tried to contact the CBSA to fix the issue that CBSA told them that they didn’t offer support relating to reentering Canada. The arrive can app is increasingly unnecessary, and it’s hopelessly broken.”