On July 19, Canada announced that fully vaccinated Americans can enter on August 9, 2021. Here’s what you need to know.
As most of you know, my wife and I had been counting down the days until we could visit to see Natalie’s much-missed family in Toronto, who she hasn’t seen since December 2019. But in the end, we decided it wasn’t the right time for us to travel to Canada, or anywhere for that matter, because the Delta variant is running rampant and we have two young children.
A few days ago, I published a piece about the 5 reasons we’re not going to Canada when the border opens. The bottom line was that we didn’t feel like we should make a non-essential trip when COVID is far from over. The article was picked up by MSN Canada and I was bombarded with comments on the article, most of them negative, from ticked off Canadians. I joked to my wife that I might have to change the title of the article to 6 reasons we’re not going to Canada because, based on the comments, Americans are not welcome.
Obviously, I know the really nasty comments don’t represent the majority of wonderful Canadians but I found it quite interesting to read what they had to say (although many of them seemed to miss the point entirely). Regardless of whether or not they missed the point of what I was saying, after reading the comments and speaking to Canadian friends, I do think that most Canucks don’t want the Canadian border to reopen to Americans next week. And truthfully, I can’t say that I blame them.
There are multiple factors to consider but the main one is that COVID-19 is back out of control in the USA and many Americans are still acting like we’re not in the middle of a global pandemic. Combine this with the fact that the Biden administration has yet to return the favor of allowing vaccinated Canadians across the US land border (they can fly in), news stories about antivaxxers refusing to get the shot, gun violence, an uptick in crime and the nonstop stress of the previous administration, it seems that some Canadians have had enough of their southern neighbors.
According to a recent online survey conducted by the Angus Reid Institute, “69% [of Canadians] would wait until at least three-quarters of [Canada] has been fully vaccinated before welcoming Americans across the line for non-essential travel.” That makes sense. The exception appears to be residents from the conservative providences of Alberta and Saskatchewan, who support the border opening now.
It’s going to be interesting to see if Canada moves forward with their plan to open the border on August 9, although I wouldn’t be surprised if they decide to postpone the border opening or reinstate quarantines. It will also be interesting to see how our northern neighbors treat Americans who make the trek.
We made reservation sback in late May/early June for late September using Marriott and IHG free night certificates in anticipation of the border being re-opened by then. Since that time, even though we live in NY state and are fully vaccinated since February, we are watching what is happening
As a Canadian and a Johnnie Jet fan, I feel very sad about those comments. Many of the responders did not fully read the article or understand why you wanted to visit. Very courageous of you to post them, some were pretty rude! It’s true that there are a lot of unvaccinated Americans and that the virus is bad in certain areas. But there should not be too much risk in letting fully vaccinated Americans in, with testing. I am in Nova Scotia which is (or was) one of the safest places in the world for the virus. People in the tourism and hospitality industries want visitors but the rest do not necessarily and there has been some negativity based on fear. In your case I wish you, your wife and your young children could visit their grandparents. Maybe soon.
You are welcome here at our house but it’ll be pretty noisy with three maniacs running around.
Did you mean that literally or was that a metaphor referring to our country and political party leaders?
Interesting…some defense of your country would have been nice. I suddenly have no desire to visit Canada so they can relax.
I have loved your posts for many years and I have learned a lot. As a Canadian, I am sorry so many of my fellow citizens have been rude, but we have our own irresponsible crazies and fear importing more from the US. Sad, but true.
I am an American. I left the US in June and I am doubtful I will ever return, willingly. And I whole-heartedly hope Canadians block my compatriots from entering their country. They are delusional crude racist people and the world would be much better off if a few million of them perished from one of the many forms of Covid-19
Please, American Friends:
The idiot haters do not represent Canadian citizens, only their sad, stupid selves.
We are flattered if you choose to visit Canada and wish you a wonderful time!