By
Published:February 16, 2022
-Western Standard
Two premiers and 15 US state governors have written a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and President Joe Biden to give COVID-19 vaccination exemptions back to truckers.
“We are writing to request that you immediately reinstate the vaccine and quarantine exemptions available to cross border truck drivers,” wrote the US governors and premiers Jason Kenney, of Alberta and Scott Moe, of Saskatchewan.
“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.
As of Jan. 15, truckers had to be vaccinated to get into Canada, while the US did the reverse on Jan. 22.
“The timing of your decision to terminate the vaccine and quarantine exemptions could not have been worse, as North America already faces grave supply chain constraints. These constraints, combined with increasing inflation, place significant burdens on the residents of Canada and the United States,” the letter reads.
“Furthermore, transportation associations have informed us 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.
Again, we urge you to immediately reinstate the exemptions for cross border truck drivers. We welcome collaboration to resolve this urgent matter.”
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