A major new poll finds that two-thirds of Canadians want the Trudeau government to ditch PCR testing at the border.
A new study from the non-profit Angus Reid Institute finds Canadians divided about how to handle border testing, but largely ready to move past molecular tests such as the PCR. A full 66% of Canadians say that either no tests should be required for fully vaccinated travellers (27%) or that Canada should switch from PCR tests to rapid antigen tests (39%). Twenty five per cent of Canadians said they would keep the requirement now in place for PCR or molecular tests, while nine per cent would drop testing entirely, regardless of vaccination status.
PCR tests can cost more than $200, which makes it almost impossible for families to travel. The U.S. allows those crossing the border by air to use rapid antigen tests, which usually cost around $30 or $40.
Those who travelled frequently prior to the pandemic are most eager to drop restrictions. Among Canadians who say they travelled to the United States five or more times per year before pandemic restrictions took effect, half (48%) would drop testing for fully vaccinated travellers. Another 14 per cent would drop testing completely. Not surprisingly, the most infrequent travellers are the most inclined to keep molecular tests in place.
The Trudeau government recently announced that Canadians visiting the U.S. for less than 72 hours will be able to take a rapid antigen test before returning home, rather than the PCR test. Critics say that will only encourage Canadians to cross the border to shop, and will therefore hurt Canadian businesses.
The Canadian Travel and Tourism Roundtable, a group of prominent tourism and travel industry officials, have noted repeatedly that a federal government expert panel report earlier this year called for an end to all testing for fully vaccinated travellers coming into Canada.
“While the announcement on eliminating the PCR rest requirements for Canadians returning to Canada from trips lasting less than 72 hours marks a very small step in the right direction, it does not go far enough to help rebuild an industry devastated by COVID-19 measures,” Beth Potter, president and CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada, said in an email. “Canada stands alone as the only country in the world that is basing its travel rules on trip duration rather than vaccination status.
“To help rebuild Canada’s tourism industry we need testing requirements that are consistent with those in place in other countries. And we need to harmonize those requirements across all modes of transportation be it by plane, car, boat, coach or train. We are encouraging the Canadian government to eliminate all unnecessary and non-science-based obstacles to cross border travel for fully vaccinated travellers,” Potter said.
