April 17, 2020, Ottawa, ON – Today, Pierre Paul-Hus, Conservative Shadow Minister for Public Safety, Border Security and Emergency Preparedness, and Glen Motz, Associate Conservative Shadow Minister for Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, called on the government to ensure that any extension of the March 20^th agreement with the United States to limit non-essential travel between our two countries includes enhanced screening measures and protects the health and safety of Canadian border officials.

“While it is important that Canada and the United States agree to extend the temporary closure of our shared border to non-essential travel, the Canadian government must also enhance screening measures and protect Canadian border officials,” said MP Paul-Hus.

In January, Conservatives asked why the government was not implementing stricter screening measures at the border and why travellers returning from COVID-19 hotspots were not required to self-isolate.

“Despite the current public health crisis, there continue to be few Public Health officials at points of entry to support the work of border agents. Conservatives are calling on the government to immediately provide additional support to front line CBSA officers and ensure that they have the supplies they need to keep themselves and Canadians safe,” said MP Motz.

In addition, Conservatives will be pressing the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness to provide weekly public reports on the situation at entry points across Canada.  This is just one more reason why Parliament must have in-person sittings so that Opposition parties can debate, discuss and improve government programs and policies and ensure the safety of all Canadians.