Thought of the Day - June 24 2021 - Meanwhile in the Maritimes

Breaking News from the East Coast: Protest over N.B.-N.S. border restrictions shuts down the Trans-Canada Highway.

The announcement by Nova Scotia that travellers from New Brunswick must continue to self-isolate upon arriving in the province has prompted protest.

Part of the Trans-Canada Highway in Nova Scotia was blocked in both directions around 5 pm Tuesday. In addition, protests at the Tidnish border crossing have also caused traffic delays. Three people have subsequently been arrested, and as of late last night, traffic is again flowing on the Trans-Canada.

The crux of the matter is that travellers from N.B. still need to self-isolate upon arrival in N.S., even after N.S. opened its borders with P.E.I. and Newfoundland & Labrador yesterday, without isolation or testing requirements. N.B. opened its borders to Canadian travellers from outside the Atlantic region last week, without the self-isolation requirement, provided they have at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. N.B. is the only Atlantic Canadian province to do so (largely as it is the only real land-gateway to the rest of Canada).

"Because of New Brunswick's approach to visitors from the rest of Canada, we need to maintain some protection when people enter Nova Scotia from that province," N.S.' Premier Iain Rankin said. Rankin didn't explain why he waited until the day before the border changes come into effect to announce the New Brunswick restrictions.

N.B.'s Cumberland-North MLA issued a threat on Facebook on Tuesday to close the Trans-Canada Highway in protest. "If you do not change your mind and allow the people of Cumberland and New Brunswick to see one another without self-isolating, the Trans-Canada Highway will be shut down, and it will be shut down until you open that border for the families of Cumberland," she said. And New Brunswickers took up the gauntlet.

The response:

• N.B.'s, Premier Blaine Higgs called for an end to the blockade and urged people "not lose sight of the big goal. This isn't a time to lose control, or lose patience, or cause disruptions to our friends and neighbours."

• P.E.I. officials say they are concerned about the disruption at the border between Nova Scotia and New Brunswick and are hoping for a "swift and peaceful" resolution.

• Rankin added fuel to the fire by stating he hoped people recognize "the irony in blocking a highway that they want open."

The premiers of the Atlantic provinces met yesterday:

• Higgs said he offered to share with N.S. the information the province gathers from travellers entering N.B. from outside the Atlantic region: names, proof of vaccination and registration etc. That way, N.S. can decide how it wants to handle people coming in from the rest of Canada, while the Atlantic provinces can "get on with the bubble";

• Rankin did confirm his province is reviewing Higgs's proposal but didn't commit to any timeline to respond. He countered by saying looser restrictions may come by Canada Day.

This is just an indication of how tricky border reopenings will be. Forget the USofA ( Thought of the Day - June 22 2021 - First Step ), we need to figure out Canada first.

Cheers

Cliff