Premiers, governors call for return to normal hours at border crossings

Three premiers from Western Canada and two governors from bordering U.S. states are calling on the Canadian and American governments to restore pre-pandemic hours at border crossings.

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe, Alberta Premier Jason Kenney, Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte signed the letter, which was addressed to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and President Joe Biden.

The signees said the request to restore longer border hours was made after Biden suggested the COVID-19 pandemic was over.

“Residents and businesses on both sides of the border have expressed concern that the reduced hours of operation will become permanent,” the letter said. “Forcing travellers and businesses to drive to another border crossing with longer hours of operation is simply not economical due to distance, fuel and labour costs.”

The premiers and governors said returning the land border crossings to normal operating hours would help “improve trade activity and reduce inflationary pressures on both sides of the border.”

“The world is facing ongoing supply chain issues that continue to disrupt our economies,” they wrote, “and it is critical that our federal governments provide the necessary resources to ensure that our binational supply chains remain stable and resilient amid global challenges.”

According to the Canada Border Services Agency, Saskatchewan has nine land border crossings into the United States. The hours of operation at all nine were temporarily reduced due to COVID.

Saskatchewan, Alberta, Manitoba, North Dakota, and Montana are calling on President Biden & Prime Minister Trudeau to immediately restore the pre-pandemic hours of operation at the border to ensure the efficient and steady flow of people and goods between our two nations.

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— Scott Moe (@PremierScottMoe) October 3, 2022

Resuming normal operating hours is critical and will not only improve trade activity, but will reduce inflationary pressures on both sides of the border.

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— Scott Moe (@PremierScottMoe) October 3, 2022