Instead of addressing the public concerns with ArriveCAN app. during a Committee on Airport Delays and Cancellations on August 19, 2022, Liberal MP Omar Alghabra responds to Conservative MP Melissa Lantsman's question with a ridiculous rant blaming Conservatives for everything. pic.twitter.com/oWjPb7nJyn

— Canadian Riley (@TiaRileyCanada) August 19, 2022

“Our office has received and is currently investigating a complaint that raises concerns with respect to the collection of personal information through ArriveCAN and subsequent use of that information,” said the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada in an email dated July 27.

In June 2020, a group of federal Conservatives also asked the privacy commissioner to investigate ArriveCAN due to concerns they had about the potential misuse of data. The privacy commissioner responded two months later and said that he reviewed the app’s privacy conditions and that he didn’t have any concerns at the time.

"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

“Given the ongoing investigation and consultations, we do not have further details to provide at this time,” the privacy commissioner said.

ArriveCAN was first launched as a voluntary app in April 2020 as a way of collecting personal information needed by public health officials to enforce quarantine rules.

Its continued mandatory use has come under intense scrutiny over the past few months, especially as other public health measures fell to the wayside, such as mandatory masking and vaccine requirements.

The federal government has hinted that ArriveCAN, originally intended to provide travel and public health information during the COVID-19 pandemic, may be kept beyond the pandemic.

The app was introduced during the pandemic to allow travelers to report their trips and vaccination status. Ottawa requires that travelers use the ArriveCan mobile app, or its desktop version, to submit their travel and COVID-19-related health information before arriving in Canada.

Canadian Public Health “They want the app. The government wants the app.”

An elderly 86 year old man who provided proof of his vaccination status is being detained by Canadian Public Health because he doesn't have a cell phone and is unable to use the ArriveCAN app. pic.twitter.com/j2pOXAQMI6

— Canadian Riley (@TiaRileyCanada) July 16, 2022

On June 30, the federal government announced that existing COVID-19 restrictions will be extended for travelers entering Canada until Sept. 30, including the use of the ArriveCAN app. Once travel and public health measures are no longer needed, ArriveCAN will continue to be available for those who choose digital interaction at the border.

A recent update to the app added the “optional” function to allow passengers arriving at Toronto Pearson and Vancouver International airports to submit their customs and immigration declaration prior to landing. This feature will be expanded to Montreal’s Trudeau International Airport later this summer and to other airports in the future.

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) said this feature was part of the government’s border modernization strategy that was already underway before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and it was added to ArriveCan because people are already familiar with this 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.”

Video from Transport Canada Committee Meeting where Jennifer Lutfallah from Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) testifying about ArriveCAN compliance and requirements. pic.twitter.com/M0TnJxbXFR

— Canadian Riley (@TiaRileyCanada) August 22, 2022