U.S.-Canadian border

U.S.-Canada Border Barrier: It’s All Politics

Published October 8, 2021 | By Clark Norton

By Bob Waite

Love the beach? Next time! Photo from Visit Florida

Ottawa – On August 9, 2021, Canada began allowing entry to American citizens and permanent residents currently residing in the United States who have been fully vaccinated for at least 14 days prior to entering the country.

The United States, on the other hand, has yet to reciprocate. Canadians continue to be barred from crossing the land border. This despite the fact that Canadian vaccination rates are significantly higher than those of their American counterparts.

So what gives?

In a word, politics.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the border opening not long before calling an election. There seems little doubt that he heeded calls from the tourist and hospitality industries to open things up before the summer slipped completely away.

Politics was also undoubtedly behind the American decision to keep the border shut tight – although it is impossible to get an official U.S. government spokesperson to… Continue reading →

Posted in Baby boomer travel, Canada, Politics of travel, Seasonal travel, travel economic impacts | Tagged Border disputes, Canadian snowbirds, Covid-19 vaccines, Justin Trudeau, U.S.-Canada border restrictions, U.S.-Canadian border, U.S.-Canadian border closing, Vaccine politics | 2 Comments

Canadians vs. U.S.: the COVID Border Blues

Published September 8, 2020 | By Clark Norton

The U.S.-Canada border crossing, normally busy and often backed up for miles, is now often deserted. Photo from Shutterstock.

When contributing writer Robert Waite told me he was heading from his Canadian home for a family camping vacation in New England, I asked him to consider doing a piece on his experience.

Normally (pre-COVID) crossing the U.S.-Canadian border by automobile has been a relatively simple procedure, albeit one that often required long waits at immigration due to the huge volumes of traffic.

But, as Bob reports, things have changed dramatically.

By Robert Waite

Champlain, NY – Unless you have dual citizenship, perform an essential service, or hold a current student visa, don’t expect to cross the world’s longest border any time soon.

Canada currently bars all non-essential travel to the United States until September 21 – and there is every expectation the ban will be extended at least another month.… Continue reading →

Posted in Baby boomer travel, Canada, New Hampshire, travel documents, travel tips | Tagged Canada tourism, Canada travel, Canada-U.S.border, Covid-19 travel, U.S.-Canada border restrictions, U.S.-Canadian border | 2 Comments

According to government and private surveys:

Leading-edge baby boomers (born between 1946 and 1955) and seniors account for four out of every five dollars spent on luxury travel today.
Roughly half the consumer spending money in the U.S.--more than $2 trillion--is in the hands of leading-edge baby boomers and seniors.
Baby boomers (born 1946-1964) travel more than any other age group.
When asked what they would most like to spend their money on, baby boomers answered “travel” more than any other category, including improving their health or finances.