Skip to content

Back to Our Blog

7.21.21 Advocacy Alert: US Extends Canadian Border Closure to August 21

Blog Categories

July 21, 2021

Today, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced it was extending its ban on non-essential land entry by Canadian travelers through August 21.

The move comes on the heels of Canada’s decision Monday to reopen its land border to vaccinated, non-essential American travelers on August 9.

Canada’s decision and calls from our region’s federal representatives have not changed the U.S. government’s thinking. When asked Monday if the U.S. would follow Canada’s lead, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said the Biden Administration is “continuing to review our travel restrictions. Any decisions about resuming travel will be guided by our public health and medical experts. … I wouldn’t look at it through a reciprocal intention.”

The BNP continues to urge the Biden Administration to welcome Canadian travelers. We called for the border to open in April. In May, the BNP teamed up with Ontario’s Greater Niagara and Hamilton Chambers of Commerce to explain the benefits reopening the border would have for our binational economy. We specifically urged both nations to mutually agree upon a binational border opening implementation plan. Both nations' failure to heed this advice has led to an unbalanced border policy.

The BNP remains committed to reducing unnecessary barriers to crossing the border, and will continue to push the Biden Administration to allow, at a minimum, reciprocal access for non-essential Canadian travelers.

Related Posts

4 New HR Mandates Employers Need to Know

By communications@thepartnership.org | July 1, 2024

New employee rights are among the key policy revisions to come out of the 2024-25 New York State budget approved in April. At the BNP’s latest Government Affairs series event, a panel of experts broke down what employers need to know about these HR mandates – some of have already gone into effect. Here are four key takeaways from Policy Perspective.

BNP Hosts County Executive Candidates

By growthzone | September 27, 2023

In preparation for the 2023 elections, the BNP hosted an Erie County Executive Candidate Forum. Both candidates for Erie County’s highest office – incumbent Mark Poloncarz and challenger Chrissy Casilio – were given 45 minutes to address BNP members in a guided discussion.

Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse Region Can Become America’s Semiconductor Superhighway

By growthzone | August 18, 2023

After years of relentless advocacy to bolster Upstate NY’s innovation and manufacturing industries, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Congressman Brian Higgins announced the Buffalo-Rochester-Syracuse region have joined forces with a proposal to become a federally-designated Tech Hub in the first-of-its-kind nationwide competition created in his CHIPS & Science Bill.

How the U.S. Is Closing the Door to Top Talent

By growthzone | August 17, 2023

The BNP organized a Capital Conversations event as part of our Government Affairs series to examine the workings of the H-1B program and explore potential reforms that could strengthen our regional economy.