Amidst the current protests against vaccine mandates engulfing the nation’s capital, Canada’s two major airlines have urged Ottawa to lift its COVID-19 travel restrictions. Thousands of people gathered in Ottawa to express their strong objection to vaccine requirements for truckers crossing the US-Canada border, which sparked the current wave of protests against Canada's COVID-19 regulations.
According to a report by the Globe and Mail, WestJet Airlines Ltd., has cancelled 20% of its flights in March due to the ongoing uncertainty surrounding trucker protests. “It is disappointing that Canada remains stagnant in its approach and continues to make travel inaccessible and punitive for Canadians and inbound tourists,” said Interim chief executive officer Harry Taylor. Taylor reminded that the travel advisories and testing requirements were meant to be temporary.
Medical officials from Canada’s two largest airlines and Toronto Pearson Airport have issued an open letter to the Canadian government urging that PCR testing be moved away from airports and into communities. Air Canada and WestJet have reported multiple flight cancellations due to Canada’s mandated travel testing regulations.
The letter claims that the passengers travelling to Canada must have a PCR test and be fully vaccinated before entering the country. There is no legitimate public health justification to demand a second test once they arrive.
Protests Against COVID-19 Regulations Continue in Canada
Meanwhile, the ongoing protests against COVID-19 restrictions in Canada forced Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson to declare a state of emergency. According to Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino, federal police forces have dispersed additional police officers to disperse the demonstration.
Meanwhile, Justin Trudeau, the Canadian Prime Minister has called to end to the trucker protest in Ottawa, urging that the protest has created economic and social hardships.
“Individuals are attempting to blockade our economy, democracy, and the daily lives of our fellow people, and it must stop,” Trudeau said in a speech delivered at Canada’s parliament on Monday evening. “People of Ottawa don’t deserve to be harassed in their own neighbourhoods. They don’t deserve to be confronted with the inherent violence of a swastika flying on a street corner or Confederate flag,” he added.
