Washington, D.C. — Today, Rep. Annie Kuster (NH-02) led a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas urging the safe re-opening of the U.S.-Canadian border. Rep. Kuster was joined on the letter by Reps. Peter Welch (VT-AL), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), Chris Pappas (NH-01), and Jared Golden (ME-02). Canadian tourists are vital contributors to the New England economy, spending an average of $19 billion in the United States every year, including $500 million across northern New England. The border has been closed to non-essential travel since March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“Since the land border between the United States and Canada was closed on March 21, 2020, families have been divided, tourists unable to explore both nations, and business has been encumbered,” the Members wrote. “Easing travel restrictions will allow families and friends to reunite after more than a year of separation, facilitate tourism along the northern border, and relieve burdens on cross-border businesses.”

“Canadian tourists spend $19 billion on average in the United States, including $500 million across northern New England,” the Members continued. “Allowing vaccinated tourists to travel between our two countries will spur job creation on either side of the border and keep our economies on the path to recovery. You should also seriously explore if it is now safe for vaccinated tourists to travel between the United States and Canada.”

View the letter here, or read the full text below.

Dear Secretary Mayorkas,

Since vaccinations have proven effective at stopping the spreading of COVID-19 and vaccination rates are steadily increasing in both the United States and Canada, I encourage you to work with the Canadian government to re-evaluate travel between our two countries for vaccinated individuals. Since the land border between the United States and Canada was closed on March 21, 2020, families have been divided, tourists unable to explore both nations, and business has been encumbered. Easing travel restrictions will allow families and friends to reunite after more than a year of separation, facilitate tourism along the northern border, and relieve burdens on cross-border businesses. 

Millions of Americans and Canadians have family members on either side of the border. Americans in the northern parts of our country typically enjoy easy access to Canada which enables them to maintain close, meaningful ties with their family members. The border closure has been particularly painful for these families because it has prevented this contact. While this was necessary for public health during the height of the pandemic, these restrictions may no longer be needed for vaccinated individuals. I encourage you to consider if vaccinated Canadians and Americans should be allowed to cross the land border to visit their loved ones.

Canadian tourists spend $19 billion on average in the United States, including $500 million across northern New England. Allowing vaccinated tourists to travel between our two countries will spur job creation on either side of the border and keep our economies on the path to recovery. You should also seriously explore if it is now safe for vaccinated tourists to travel between the United States and Canada.

Canadian businesses are also important job creators in the United States. 298 Canadian-owned businesses employ 17,000 hard-working northern New Englanders. The border closure has made it difficult for businesspeople in both the United States and Canada to conduct cross-border operations. Letting vaccinated individuals move across the land border for business travel will stimulate the American and Canadian economies by reducing a significant barrier to business operations. I encourage you to evaluate this step. 

Americans and Canadians have made many sacrifices to get through the COVID-19 pandemic. While the crisis is not yet fully behind us, the time has now come for you to evaluate whether restrictions are still necessary due to improving public health conditions in both of our nations. 

Regards,

Ann McLane Kuster                                                                   Peter Welch

Member of Congress                                                                Member of Congress

Chellie Pingree                                                                           Chris Pappas

Member of Congress                                                                Member of Congress

Jared Golden

Member of Congress

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