Conservatives Call for Liberals to Remove PCR Test Requirement for International Travel
Reopening of Parliament, Remembrance Day, Alberta Motion on Equalization, and Upcoming Constituency Events
Conservatives Call for Liberals to Remove PCR Test Requirement for International Travel
This week, many Canadians went to the United States for the first in over 20 months. Canadians were able to reconnect with family and friends that had been separated by border restrictions. I have heard from several constituents that their travel was made more expensive and PCR tests were difficult to arrange to return to Canada, even though they were fully vaccinated.
Today, the federal Conservatives released a statement calling on the Liberals to remove the current pre-departure PCR testing requirements for fully vaccinated travellers entering Canada through land borders, and harmonize with U.S. regulations on air travel, and remove the pre-departure requirement for a PCR test in favour of a rapid antigen test for fully vaccinated travellers.
In May, the federal government’s COVID-19 Testing and Screening Expert Advisory Panel released a report recommending that fully vaccinated non-exempt travellers do not need to take a pre-departure test. The expert panel and leading health experts have made it clear that it is time to update the pre-departure PCR policies for fully vaccinated travellers entering through land borders and air travel.
Canada’s Conservatives will continue to push for this when Parliament reopens.
Parliament Will Reopen November 22
Nearly two months after the Liberal’s vanity project election, Parliament will be back a week from Monday on November 22nd. I am anxious to get back to Parliament to advocate for issues that matter to Calgarians, and I am taking many ideas and case files with me from constituents to advocate for them.
Remembrance Day in Calgary Shepard
I was honoured to join CP at the CP Cenotaph in Ogden to pay my respects to the veterans who served our country in the past and those who continue to serve Canada in uniform today.
Alberta Legislature Debating Motion to Ratify Equalization Referendum
On November 3rd, Premier Kenney brought forward a motion in the Alberta Legislature that would ratify the results of the equalization referendum. This motion would kick off the process to amend the constitution to bring fairness to Albertans. For the constitution to be formally amended, 7 out of 10 provinces representing more than 50% of the population would need to pass similar motions. The Alberta legislature motion is just the beginning of the formal constitutional reform process. It will serve as a model motion that other legislatures can debate and pass to clear the mandatory threshold to amend the Constitution of Canada.
Upcoming Community Events and Meetups
As we approach Christmas and the holidays, I will be joining the Auburn Bay Parade of Lights on November 27th and the Mahogany Parade of Lights on December 4th.
I will be passing out hot chocolate and am happy to take questions as well as hear your concerns at these events. More details on times and specific locations will follow in my next newsletter. I am looking forward to celebrating the holiday season with all of you.