Trudeau Has Opened The Border To Immediate Family Reunions (VIDEO)
Families will soon be reunited on Canadian soil. Justin Trudeau announced on Monday that those separated by Canada's border closures will have the chance to be together again. He says limited exemptions will be made for immediate relatives to enter the country.
This limited pass will "allow members of the immediate family of citizens or permanent residents to enter Canada," says Trudeau.
He clarifies that this applies mainly to spouses, children and the parents of minor children.
Trudeau stresses that those who arrive from abroad will be required to self-isolate for 14 days.
Canada's Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Marco Mendicino, is expected to announce more details on this later today.
"This is an incredibly difficult time to be apart from a spouse, a child, or mom and dad," added the PM.
On May 19, Canada extended its border closure with the United States for an additional 30 days.
Trudeau says he has been in talks with the premiers about this plan for some time. Last week, he said he held a phone call to discuss the details.
"There are a number of premiers who feel that for reasons of compassion we should and could move forward with this measure," he said on May 31.
"The borders are an issue that deeply concern all the provinces."
Trudeau says that because of Canada's unprecedented measures to seal our borders, loved ones have been denied the chance to be together.
This new exemption intends to change that. However, strict quarantine rules will apply in order to further prevent the spread of COVID-19.
However, all of this hasn't stopped some couples from seeing one another. Canadians have been meeting up with their American spouses at borders just to see each other in person.
Washington's Peace Arch Park is a popular visitation spot, which extends from the U.S. city of Blaine to Surrey, B.C.
The Horner family, for example, has been relying on this park for frequent family reunions. Chelsea Horner travels from Vancouver Island to see her husband, a U.S. citizen, with their kids in tow.
"We are really grateful for Peach Arch Park and the ability to meet there. We plan to do it once a month until the border re-opens," said Chelsea to Narcity.
Trudeau acknowledges how difficult the last few months have been and says he is working with provincial leaders to make this time easier on Canadian families.