The Premiers of Alberta and Saskatchewan have co-signed a letter along with 16 U.S. governors, urging both countries’ federal governments to immediately drop vaccine mandates for cross-border truckers.
The signatories of the letter called on Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and U.S. President Joe Biden to immediately reinstate previous vaccine and quarantine exemptions for cross-border truck drivers.
“We understand the vital importance of vaccines in the fight against COVID-19 and continue to encourage eligible individuals to get vaccinated. However, we are deeply concerned that terminating these exemptions has had demonstrably negative impacts on the North American supply chain, the cost of living, and access to essential products for people in both of our countries,” says the letter signed on Feb. 16.
Moe’s remarks echo those in the letter, which said the timing of the decision to terminate the vaccine and quarantine exemptions for truck drivers “could not have been worse,” as North America already faces serious supply chain constraints.
“These constraints, combined with increasing inflation, place significant burdens on the residents of Canada and the United States,” the letter said.
“Furthermore, transportation associations have informed us that the lack of exemptions will force thousands of drivers out of the trucking industry, which is already facing a significant workforce shortage. The removal of these exemptions is ultimately unnecessary, and we cannot afford to lose any more truck drivers who transport food and other vital supplies across the border.”
U.S. authorities announced similar requirements starting Jan. 22 for non-U.S. nationals crossing into the United States who are not vaccinated, including non-U.S. truck drivers.