The Canada-U.S. border is approaching 14 months of closure. We've written about border communities struggling without the rest of the community. Now we can add Ottawa and Gatineau to the list.
The Ontario-Quebec border will be closed as of tomorrow thanks to the impact of variants in the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. Standard exceptions are in place, such as going to and from work, seeking medical care, transporting goods and exercising Indigenous treaty rights.
Ontario is also closing its border with Manitoba. There aren't too many border communities in Canada. The Lloydminster twins (Alberta and Saskatchewan) leap to mind. The stretch of where New Brunswick and Nova Scotia meet before you go to Prince Edward Island. Ottawa (Ontario) and Gatineau (Quebec).
I have crossed provinces by bus (Manitoba to Saskatchewan); mini bus (New Brunswick to Nova Scotia and the reverse); and walking (Ottawa to Gatineau and back). The Royal Alexandra Interprovincial Bridge, aka Alexandra Bridge or Interprovincial Bridge, runs just north and east of Parliament Hill across the Ottawa River to Gatineau, Quebec.
There is a joy of crossing jurisdictions by walking over a bridge. The Cross Border Xpress (CBX) bridge from the United States to the Tijuana airport. The John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge from Cincinnati (Ohio) to Covington (Kentucky) is a personal favourite, having crossed that bridge. The Confederation Bridge between Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island is 12.9 km.
How the Canada-U.S. border closure has affected border towns
Remembering the COVID-19 'anniversary' in Canada
CanadianCrossing.com trade coverage
CanadianCrossing.com travel coverage
Metro in Washington DC in the U.S. capital crosses between Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. Ottawa buses regularly travel to Gatineau.
Young people have had a ritual of going from Ontario to Quebec to buy alcohol (19 vs. 18) and now from Quebec to Ontario to buy marijuana (21 vs. 19). Some government workers may live in Quebec and commute into Ottawa because housing may be cheaper. They will be able to cross now but their commutes will change.
We believe in a world where borders are a minor inconvenience, if that. The nationalism we've seen creeping through Europe and North America during the pandemic has been depressing. Going from London to Quebec City might not be advised but restricting traffic within border communities is inhumane.
The Canada-U.S. border won't open until provincial borders are open. Let's hope that is soon.
Canadian film review: Bon Cop Bad Cop 2
CanadianCrossing.com border crossings coverage
The premise for the original Bon Cop, Bad Cop is that a body is found on the Ontario-Quebec border. So a cop from Ontario and a cop from Quebec work together on the case. The premise is a bit out there but funny for a movie. The pandemic version would have each cop on his own side of the border; not nearly as funny.
photo credits: Google maps; Bon Cop, Bad Cop film
Comments