THUNDER BAY – A tentative agreement has been reached to extend the closure of the Canada-U.S. border to non-essential travel, according to reports in multiple news outlets.
The move would extend the closure, set to expire July 21, by one month to Aug. 21. It would be the fourth time the closure has been extended, after coming into force on March 21.
The reported agreement comes after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke over the phone with President Donald Trump on Monday.
Recent public opinion polls have found the vast majority of Canadians favour keeping the border closed to non-essential traffic like shopping and travel. Commercial traffic is still permitted to cross the land border, while air travel between the countries is ongoing.
Thunder Bay-Superior North MP and Health Minister Patty Hajdu said last week she supports the continued closure of the border as well, as several U.S. states report record numbers of new cases.
“Having the border closed right now to non-essential travel, for me, is an ideal state,” she said.
