Federal government looking at testing essential workers crossing land border: Blair

They drop the trailer and leave. Minimum exposure. They're not going into truckstops, restaurants, shippers etc.

 

Oh I absolutely agree. But it would be the province's health care implementing the tests. Provinces will be involved in the plan.

 

I do that now with what I’m doing. Cross at ssm. Go switch out at our yard, go back to the states. And guess what, I go to the truck stop. Get fuel. Shower. Eat. Just like a human should be allowed to.

While I understand your point of view on your idea, it’s logistically not possible. The Canada bound truck has to cross the border. No legitimate company is going to start switching on USA side in front of customs and immigration. That’s called cabotage.

 

How so? Hypothetically, if the Canadian truck picked up on the US side and crossed over into Canada for delivery in Canada, they didn't make a point to point haul within the US. Or is there something I'm missing?

 

If the truck crosses into Canada and switches, all is good. If you do that switch in the USA, that’s where it gets sticky.

 

That isn't cabatoge. It is legal and happens regularly. There are plenty of companies that have operations on both sides of the border with drivers that can't cross so they do switches.

 

We can agree to disagree on that one. You cannot pick up a preloaded trailer in the USA and deliver within the USA. Doesn’t matter where it was loaded. Same as repositioning empty trailers from one shipper to another within the USA. That’s a point to point move. I personally know people denied entry to the USA because of these issues.

 

In respect to what you said about companies having operations on both sides and doing switches, yes you’re correct. But it’s a Canadian bringing a Canadian load to a USA point, in which an American driver is then forwarding the load within the USA. That is perfectly legal. Where it becomes illegal is if said driver is also Canadian.

 

Today there has been a little more information. A group of 100 Scientists/Drs. sent a letter to the Government insisting that allowing essential workers to enter without testing has to stop. There was mention of a rapid test. Some trucker from Alberta was interviewed and he agreed! The scientists recommended that the essential workers get the vaccine asap. But they never thought about the US drivers. Trudeau does not recognize being vaccinated as a reason to not be quarantined!! In Manitoba you do not get a card or anything that states you have had the vaccine. But you can call Manitoba Health and they will mail you your complete medical history!! How ridiculous. If Costco can issue you a card with a photo then surely Manitoba Health could do the same. DR. Russin was asked about a card and he replied that they are working on it. He remarked that first they have to determine what type of card will be issued!! Government!

 

Got a link to support this letter from the group of scientists/doctors?