Vt. names Canada liaison as U.S. border reopens for vaccinated travelers
Cross-border reunions of all kinds have commenced now that the U.S. border with Canada and Mexico is open to vaccinated travelers. The major change, announced last month, took effect this week.
The American and Vermont flags flying together in Bridgewater, Vt. (Gareth Henderson Photo)
Cross-border reunions of all kinds have commenced now that the U.S. border with Canada and Mexico is open to vaccinated travelers. The major change, announced last month, took effect this week.
An important type of reunion now going on is that of trade and commerce. And on Monday, after the reopening took place, the state of Vermont announced its new representative for trade and investment in Canada. CIDEP, a Montreal-based economic development firm, was named to the representative and liaison role.
“Our connection with Canada runs deep, and as the land border reopens, communities and families are reconnecting, Canadian travelers are returning, and businesses can once again focus on expanding operations and increasing trade with Vermont,” said Gov. Phil Scott. “We hope this reconnection will remind Canadian companies what Vermont has to offer when thinking about expanding or doing business here, while also creating interest in Vermont products north of the border.”
CIDEP’s main priority will be to initiate contact with Canadian businesses looking to expand into the U.S. market and then generate quality leads that have high potential to turn into Vermont investment projects, according to the state announcement. CIDEP will also represent Vermont at key trade events in Canada touting Vermont as a business and tourist destination.
"The relationship between Québec and Vermont is more than business. For more than 100 years, we have shared the same values,” said Michel Belval, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Québec. “We support environmental projects, family's businesses, and small and medium enterprises. The opening of the new Vermont Office in Québec is a sign that our relationship can only continue to grow and that our partnership is better than ever."
In 2020, Vermont exported over $918 million in goods to Canada and imported $1.7 billion in goods, 76% of which were used in the production of American-made products. There are also 66 Canadian-owned businesses employing over 2,900 workers in Vermont.
CIDEP was selected through a competitive bid process administered by the Vermont Department of Economic Development, state officials said. In addition to business recruitment, CIDEP will promote the state as an investment destination and encourage greater bi-lateral trade with its top market.
The funding for this two-year initiative was proposed in the governor’s budget address calling for investments in Vermont’s economy, workforce, and communities, Monday’s announcement noted. The funding was approved and included in Act 74 by the Vermont Legislature in June.
“I am firmly convinced that Vermont has everything it takes to attract more Canadian companies in the years to come, and we are dedicated to allocating all the necessary resources to promote the state of Vermont as a great location for Canadian corporations to do business,” said Frederick Bernard, CEO of CIDEP.
Marie-Claude Francoeur, the Québec Provincial Government’s delegate to New England, noted the importance of such partnerships to the region’s recovery from the pandemic.
“In these uncertain times, North America's economic recovery will depend on trade initiatives that support innovation, enhance our competitiveness, protect our integrated value chains, promote our common prosperity and benefit both our regions as well as our respective workers and their families,” Francoeur said in a statement. “This is a win-win.”
Click here for more coverage of the border reopening and Canada’s rules for travelers.
— Gareth Henderson
US to lift land border restrictions for vaccinated travelers
U.S. officials have announced plans to lift land border restrictions in November for fully vaccinated foreign nationals. Current restrictions on non-essential travel have been in place since March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the U.S. government has come under increasing pressure to lift them.
The U.S. and Vermont flags in the mid-day sun. Vermont and other northern states have been advocating for the U.S. to allow non-essential travel from Canada for weeks. (Gareth Henderson Photo)
U.S. officials have announced plans to lift land border restrictions in November for fully vaccinated foreign nationals. All U.S.-bound travelers over land borders will have to show proof of vaccination before crossing.
Current restrictions on non-essential travel have been in place since March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But the Biden administration has come under increasing pressure from governors and other groups to allow non-essential land travel, citing pressure on commerce, citizens and the economy.
In an announcement, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said the administration next month "will begin allowing travelers from Mexico and Canada who are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 to enter the United States for non-essential purposes, including to visit friends and family or for tourism, via land and ferry border crossings."
In early January, as part of a two-phase approach to ease land border restrictions, proof of vaccination will also be required for all travelers entering the U.S. for essential reasons. “This approach will provide ample time for essential travelers such as truckers, students, and healthcare workers to get vaccinated,” Mayorkas explained.
For weeks, Vermont Gov. Phil Scott has added his voice to the pressure from state officials, during a scheduled Tuesday call between governors and the White House. This week, Gov. Jay Inslee of Washington State raised the question again during that Tuesday call. The White House started putting the word out about the announcement late Tuesday, though no precise November date was given for the change.
In a statement, Scott said the border announcement was good news for many Vermont residents and communities.
“Vermont and Canada are not just neighbors, our communities are linked by family, friends, social and cultural connections, natural resources, commerce and more,” Scott said. “Reopening the land border will allow our communities to reunite, after being separated for nearly two years.”
U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, of Washington, echoed that sentiment, saying the change “will provide great relief to those waiting to see friends and loved ones from Canada,” according to Reuters.
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, of New York, added, “Since the beginning of the pandemic, members of our shared cross-border community have felt the pain and economic hardship of the land border closures,” as quoted in The Buffalo News. “That pain is about to end.”
The exact date in early November for this major change in land travel restrictions will be coming “very soon”, Reuters reported, quoting a Biden administration official. Unvaccinated visitors will still be barred from crossing the U.S. land borders with Canada and Mexico.
As for Canada-bound travelers, restrictions remain in place there as well. All travelers going into Canada must submit proof of vaccination and be tested for COVID-19 up to 72 hours before arrival. More information on Canada’s border-crossing restrictions, including the required testing, are at this link.
— Gareth Henderson