Conservative MP Kevin Waugh stands up during question period in the House of Commons Tuesday, April 13, 2021, in Ottawa. Conservative members of parliament say the Liberals are playing politics with the COVID-19 border restrictions, and the debate over lifting those restrictions may have something to do with the new Conservative leader. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld The government was motivated to review COVID-19 restrictions at Canada’s borders because of the growing popularity of new Conservative leader Pierre Pouliev, MPs from his caucus said Wednesday. Several Liberal ministers confirmed they were debating whether to continue mandatory use of the ArriveCan app for international travelers and COVID-19 border restrictions such as face masks, which are due to expire on September 30. The cabinet has not made any final decisions, but is due to meet on Thursday afternoon. That’s when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau returns from the UN General Assembly, where he has not confirmed whether his government is ready to lift or change any of the pandemic measures. “Every step of the way we have followed the recommendations and the best advice of the medical experts, the public health experts, and we will continue to do so,” Trudeau said at a news conference at the United Nations on Wednesday night. “I can assure you that when we make decisions about how we can move forward and change the situation around various tools that we have to keep Canadians safe, Canadians will be the first to know,” he said. Tourism Minister Randy Boissonnault also said on Wednesday that the government would “follow the science” when asked about the plans in Parliament. “We will continue to ensure that as we open up the economy we do so in a systematic and respectful way,” he said. Current border restrictions mean that most foreign nationals are not allowed to travel to Canada unless they have completed a primary course of an approved vaccine for COVID-19, unless they qualify for an exemption. For most vaccines this means at least two doses. Unvaccinated foreigners who fall into certain categories, such as temporary foreign workers, health care workers, or airline or ship crew, are subject to mandatory arrival tests and a 14-day quarantine. Vaccinated travelers, including Canadians, may also be selected for mandatory random testing — a system that public health officials have used as an “early warning system” for new strains of the virus entering the country. Several Conservative MPs welcomed the possibility of an end to travel restrictions for COVID-19 on Wednesday, but said they did not understand what had sparked those discussions – other than a change in the political tide. “I think it might have something to do with the science changing on Saturday night when Pierre (Poilievre) was crowned,” quipped Ontario MP Marilyn Gladou on her way to a Conservative caucus meeting. Poilievre is a staunch opponent of vaccine mandates, and his position on COVID-19 restrictions has been a popular element of his leadership campaign. Saskatoon—Grasswood MP Kevin Waugh said the potential change could have something to do with the latest polling data. “They have finally woken up, because we have a new leader and the polls are not favorable for the Liberals,” Waugh said. “So, they’re in trouble.” Boissonnault categorically rejected the Conservative proposals. “The steps we took during COVID have nothing to do with the Conservative party and leadership at the time, and nothing they do on their end affects the way we govern or the steps we take to keep Canadians safe,” he said en route to the Liberal caucus meeting on Wednesday. “As tourism minister, I want to see as many people as possible coming here as safely as possible and so we will continue to discuss this within government.” Federal ministers won’t say what recommendations they plan to bring to their cabinet meeting, but assured that their decisions will be guided by science, not politics. “As everyone knows, these measures are always reviewed based on evidence, prudence and epidemiology,” Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos said on Wednesday. The Conservatives criticized the government for a lack of transparency about the data used to inform public health decisions about COVID-19. A case study by the international research group Pandemics and Borders published in April highlighted similar concerns. “Claims about the use of scientific evidence to guide decisions have been made extensively, but with limited disclosure of what constitutes that scientific evidence,” the researchers concluded after reviewing Canada’s pandemic border policies. “Reliance on science-based narratives, in this context, increased politicization in ways that ultimately undermined the use of science.”
