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Dan-in-Ottawa

We need re-opening plan

The Conservative opposition party tabled an opposition day motion in the virtual House of Commons, this week.

It called for the Liberal government to introduce a data-driven,COVID re-opening plan within 20 days to support “gradually, safely and permanently lifting COVID-19 restrictions.”

As is often the case with opposition day motions, the Liberal government has offered up a litany of reasons that suggest they will oppose this motion, which, at the time of this report, has not yet been voted on.

Why the need for a re-opening plan?

As Canadians know, vaccinations are now underway and, regrettably, Canada is significantly behind many countries, including the United States.

Already many local small businesses involved in tourism, as well as accommodation providers, are receiving reservation requests from fully immunized American citizens for potential upcoming vacation stays.

For an industry that has been devastated by this pandemic, the opportunity for bookings and accompanying revenue is desperately needed.

Unfortunately, for this industry, and many others, they are unclear how and when to respond to these requests.

There are also remains a critically important question.

Many citizens are under various restrictions and requirements.

While the Prime Minister has promised that all citizens who want to be immunized by the end of September will be, we do not know what vision the PM has following this time frame.

This relates to the obvious question.

For fully vaccinated Canadian citizens who eventually are, how will that potentially change federal restrictions for them on travel beyond Canadian borders?

Likewise, if other countries propose a requirement that fully vaccinated citizens produce vaccination verification documentation, how does this government propose to respond to this?

Many Canadians want and deserve to know what the game plan is once vaccines in Canada have been fully administered.

The answers to these questions are also very badly needed by those in the travel and aviation sectors who have been decimated by this pandemic.

While the Liberal government MPs arguing against this motion have largely suggested that expectations for a re-opening plan is “too soon,” it must be noted that U.S. President Joe Biden and British PM Boris Johnson have both released public plans for economic reopening.

We all know that COVID restrictions have had serious economic and mental health impacts on many Canadians.

It is important that we all have clarity on when and how the federal government believes regular economic and social life will be able to resume.

My question this week:

  • Do you believe it is a reasonable expectation that the Liberal government present a data driven, gradual re-opening plan much as the U.S. and U.K. have already done?

I can be reached at [email protected] or call toll free 1-800-665-8711.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.



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About the Author

Dan Albas is the Member of Parliament for the riding of Central Okanagan-Similkameen-Nicola and the co-chair of the Standing Joint Committee for the Scrutiny of Regulations.

Before entering public life, Dan was the owner of Kick City Martial Arts, responsible for training hundreds of men, women and youth to bring out their best.

Dan  is consistently recognized as one of Canada’s top 10 most active Members of Parliament on Twitter (@danalbas) and also continues to write a weekly column published in many local newspapers and on this website.

Dan welcomes comments, questions and concerns from citizens and is often available to speak to groups and organizations on matters of federal concern. 

He can be reached at [email protected] or call toll free at 1-800-665-8711.



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The views expressed are strictly those of the author and not necessarily those of Castanet. Castanet does not warrant the contents.

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