Canadian Crossing

4 years later, hopefully Canadians still think America is already great

0 score and 4 years ago, the Garden Collective released a compilation of videos from actual Canadians explaining why the United States is already great. This played off the "Make America Great Again" slogan.

Now, Canadians love Americans, not so much "America" right now. The anger and intensity from the angry toddler against Canada. Damaging tariffs and a one-sided trade "deal" not by negotiation but by threats. A border where casual travel is banned and Canada not being eager to change the status quo.

The COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic has showcased what was great about cross-border travel between the countries and how important that was to each country's economy.

Anecdotally, my Canadian friends weigh in with empathy, sympathy for what is happening in the United States. Individual Americans and individual Canadians like each other. The country-country relationship has struggled mostly due to one individual person.

We aren't big fans of surveys but sadly these results are likely more true than we would want.

Canadians weigh in on why America is already great

Factoring Canada in the 2016 presidential campaign

We cover a lot of politics on this blog. We know there is a U.S. election on November 3. We know U.S. citizens living in Canada are getting ready to vote for the U.S. president.

As a lifelong journalist, we don't believe in endorsements. No endorsements. Fans of Canada know where the U.S.-Canada relationship is now, was before 2017, and knows what might happen in 2021 and beyond.

Did we mention that the U.S. vice presidential candidate from the Democratic Party lived in Montréal as a teenager?

Looking back at when Joe Biden was in Canada

Kamala Harris, Jackie Robinson, and their association with Montreal

Tucker Carlson shows ignorance of Canada by mispronouncing Ottawa

The Canadians who participated in the Garden Collective campaign would love to see an improvement in the Canada-U.S. relationship. The Canadian Crossing blog would love to see an improvement in the Canada-U.S. relationship.

Canadians watching from north of the 49th parallel might be paying attention to the presidential race. They should also, if they choose to do so, focus on Senate races and House races that can change the power dynamic in Congress. The CUSMA | USMCA trade trap can't change unless there is a power shift in the U.S. Senate. The dynamic of the unelected Canadian Senate is very different from the U.S. version.

CanadianCrossing.com Canadian politics coverage

CanadianCrossing.com U.S. politics coverage

The U.S. election is on November 3. The next U.S. presidential inauguration is January 20, 2021.

video and photo credit: The Garden Collective

How COVID-19 is affecting Canadian snowbirds

Canadian snowbirds: retirees who spend the summer in Canada but go south to the United States to have a warmer winter than if they spent the same time in Canada. Not to be confused with Snowbird, written by Gene MacLellan and famously sung by Anne Murray.

The snowbirds were able to return to Canada at the start of the pandemic. Given where we are in the pandemic, some snowbirds will be stuck in Canada during the upcoming winter.

Canadians can fly to the United States, even with the border being closed. Driving is not an option either way and Americans can't fly into Canada. So Canadian snowbirds can fly south. While some states have potential quarantines, the states where snowbirds reside won't have that as an issue. The NFL had an issue with Kenny Albert being in Canada but snowbirds should be fine.

The problem is that snowbirds generally travel by car or their home to their southern destination. A trailer or RV needs to cross a land border.

Some Canadians are flying and having friends take them around or grocery shop for them as needed. Some Canadians are planning to stay because of the transportation issues.

Snowbirds also have to factor in health insurance, since some insurance companies aren't offering coverage because of the nonessential travel advisory.

Canadian snowbirds deciding whether to fly south or hibernate for winter (The Current CBC Radio)

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle living in Canada will be easier by staying fewer than 6 months

Do the snowbirds own or rent in the United States? Can they afford to rent in Canada for the winter? So many questions.

In The Current segment on the topic on CBC Radio One, some of the respondents said they would wait until well after the November election since they feared riots based on the decision.

We have mentioned the economic impact of Canadians shopping in the United States, places such as Bellingham, WA, that have disappeared during the pandemic. Those small towns in Florida, Arizona, and other snowbird places rely heavily on Canadians economically in the winter.

Some of the snowbirds time their departure from the United States after MLB spring training ends. A 2021 MLB season isn't likely to have spring training in Florida and Arizona this coming March. The snowbirds who do make the trip are likely to leave sooner as soon as the weather gets reasonable in Canada.

The snowbirds also have to wrestle leaving relatively good COVID-19 numbers back home for the COVID-19 numbers in the United States, especially in Florida and Arizona. Winter might look bad to the snowbirds but the numbers to the south makes snow and ice more tempting than usual.

Canadians going to the U.S. south for the winter will have to quarantine back home for 2 weeks when they return in the spring of 2021. Those rules could change by then but likely not. Nostradamus would have no clue.

CanadianCrossing.com border crossings coverage

CanadianCrossing.com trade coverage

CanadianCrossing.com travel coverage

Some snowbirds are headed west instead of south, staying in Canada but in Victoria and other sites on Vancouver Island. Not as warm but a lot less snow and ice.

Even if snowbirds make the trip, the season won't be quite the same. The activities may be limited, though maybe not in Florida. Canadians wearing masks might stand out in Florida and Arizona, where mask wearing isn't required. The age of traditional snowbirds is sadly a major factor in terms of recovery if they contract COVID-19.

photo credit: Snowbirds film (2017)

Canadian Thanksgiving 2020: Trying to remain thankful

There had been a gathering of expats for Canadian Thanksgiving where I live. We started small but grew to about 100 people. The spot we found was really ideal: they already served a turkey dinner on Sunday nights. That restaurant closed in the spring of 2018. The story is familiar: the landlord raised the rent. The spot is still empty today.

You might notice in the picture above that the food is not a turkey dinner. They had the best fried chicken. What was I to do?

We couldn't find an alternative place in 2018 and 2019. Finding a spot in 2020 was fruitless since we wouldn't be able to do Thanksgiving anyway.

I miss the food at that place but the gathering of people was more special. I am thankful for those memories but wish I could make more memories.

Canadian travel bubbles could boost tourism within Canada

No CFL. The Toronto Blue Jays, Raptors, and Maple Leafs are not playing. No U Sports. Families advised to not get together for Thanksgiving but maybe Christmas.

The ability to celebrate Thanksgiving may depend on where you are in Canada. Ontario and Quebec have been reporting hundreds of COVID-19 cases per day.

On October 1, Atlantic Canada (including Newfoundland and Labrador) accounted for 13 of the 14,490 active COVID-19 cases in Canada. Those cases are are all travel-related.

The Atlantic travel bubble remains in effect. If you are from one of the 4 provinces, you can freely travel between the Atlantic provinces. If not, travelers have to isolate for 2 weeks.

Nova Scotia premier Stephen McNeil said the bubble won't open up "any time soon."

The push for Indigenous travel is timely in an odd fashion. Canadians are encouraged to travel within their own country thanks to the pandemic. The territories are discouraging outsiders from coming in but there are options closer to home as well.

Being more aware of the stories and land of these people would be a travel adventure most Canadians might not consider. Hopefully, the pandemic makes us appreciate more of our neighbours.

Destination Indigenous has a few ideas on where to go. Going somewhere new when travel options are limited can be fun and exciting. Your kids, if you have them, can learn about Indigenous culture.

We recommend a trip to the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg. Your stay may not be that short since there is so much to take in during a visit.

Reflections on Canadian Thanksgiving 2018

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving 2017

We didn't do a Thanksgiving notebook in 2019. We were so busy with so many stories (Canada election, NHL, CFL, MLS, films) in 2019. Not so much this year. Sigh.

If you need a dose of recent Thanksgivings, we posted our 2017 and 2018 notebooks. Enjoy with turkey or reasonable substitute.

Yes, Americans. Canadians eat similar foods for their Thanksgiving. They often have butter tarts, something missing from American Thanksgiving plates.

CanadianCrossing.com film coverage

The Chicago International Film Festival, which starts next week, has not been kind to Canadian film in recent years. Not many titles and some very odd choices. Notable exceptions include Black Cop and The Twentieth Century, neither of which played at Windsor.

There are fewer films available for any film festival. The number of Canadian films in the 2020 Chicago International Film Festival: 0. Can't complain about the films brought in if there are no films to see. There could be a last-minute film addition. I still recall how they sneaked Felix and Meira into the festival with as little publicity as possible.

More ways to watch Schitt's Creek in the United States

Schitt's Creek wins 9 Emmys in its final season

We don't have to write about Schitt's Creek but can't help mentioning that the real-life Rosebud Motel in the Hockley Valley region in Ontario is up for sale.

The building is rather famous for fans of the show so a potential owner should take that under consideration. As for the rooms, we don't know anything about the actual motel rooms since the interior shots were from a soundstage in Toronto. 

The motel has been used for other projects such as the film A History of Violence from David Cronenberg. We found out that Jamal Murray of the NBA Denver Nuggets lived there for 2 years while playing for Orangeville Prep. The CBC documentary series Orangeville Prep was scheduled to debut this fall but has been delayed.

The motel's neighbours — Cafe Tropical, Bob's Garage, Rose Apothecary — are in nearby Goodwood, Ontario.

Who is Tim Stützle? #NHLDraft #Jeopardy pic.twitter.com/KfYKyEcqMj

— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) October 6, 2020

The Ottawa Senators, the only NHL team in Canada that hasn't played since March, was going to have a good evening on Monday for the NHL draft. The Sens had 3 1st-round picks. The team had a surprise for how the first of those picks would be announced.

Canadian treasure Alex Trebek, a University of Ottawa graduate, agreed to do a video to announce the first pick in the style of a Jeopardy question. Forward Tim Stuetzle will forever be the answer/question to that trivia note. Defenceman Jake Sanderson went at #5 and centre Ridly Greig at #28.

Twitter went wild with Trebek's announcement. We are thankful Trebek is still around to do such a cool presentation. Trebek, 80, is currently battling stage 4 pancreatic cancer.

The next NHL season will tentatively start on January 1, 2021.

CanadianCrossing.com CFL coverage

For those Canadian fans who love the CFL, TSN2 is showing more than 24 hours of previous CFL Thanksgiving Classic games.

photo credit: me
video credit: YouTube/Canada Explore | Explorez
Twitter capture: @Senators

Canadians wanting football are stuck watching the NFL on TV

The Buffalo Bills have a significant number of Canadian season ticket holders. The Bills have announced that money will be refunded accordingly as long as the border is closed.

The Bills aren't allowing any fans at its first two home games at Bills Stadium in accordance with New York state guidelines.

Buffalo opened up its home season yesterday with the New York Jets. The next home game is September 27 against the Los Angeles Rams. Yesterday marked the first time Buffalo had major league baseball and football in the area at the same time.

We noted that those in Buffalo couldn't get the Toronto Blue Jays on television. The Buffalo Sabres had a limited deal with Bell Media to get their games in the immediate southern Ontario area from 2013-2016.

Toronto fans of the Buffalo Bills can easily watch the team. The sim sub usually ends up on CFTO-TV Channel 9, the CTV station in Toronto. Fans with an antenna can get the games via WIVB-TV 4, CBS in Buffalo, and WUTV, Fox 29 in Buffalo.

The Detroit Lions get a lot of Canadian fans to cross the border in season ticket holders and fans for individual games. The Windsor bus systems runs buses straight to Ford Field on game days. The Seattle Seahawks get a lot of Canadian fans even if the drive is longer than Windsor to Detroit.

Some NFL teams are allowed to have home fans if their state's rules are more lenient. The Miami Dolphins are scheduled to let in 13,000 people for its first home game.

NFL fans in Canada could travel to the U.S. to watch the games. The problems are that they have to fly to their destination and have to quarantine for 14 days when they get back.

Canadians can easily get their games on television with no border crossings.

CFL dream: What if U.S. sports fans suddenly cared about the CFL

Super Bowl LIV through the eyes of Canada

Toronto fans can finally root for the Buffalo Bills in the NFL playoffs

The COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic has changed the sports world. The CFL cancelled its season in great part because they couldn't let in significant crowds. Quebec has a 250 maximum; the MLS Montréal Impact allowed that number in for recent games against Toronto FC and Vancouver Whitecaps FC.

Long-time readers will remember that the Buffalo Bills used to play games in Toronto at Rogers Centre. That certainly couldn't have happened in 2020.

The Buffalo Bills got snowed out in 2014 and moved a game to Detroit. The thought of moving the game to Toronto was thwarted since not all the players had passports.

CanadianCrossing.com NFL coverage

CanadianCrossing.com CFL coverage

Despite the attendance issues in the Bills Toronto series, the NFL is very popular in Canada. Without the CFL, the NFL will grow in stature, especially in Toronto and Vancouver.

U.S. NFL fans might think they get a decent amount of games on a Sunday. Canadians get way more games thanks to CTV stations across the country (with time shifting on cable or satellite) and TSN. Now that TSN doesn't have CFL games, Canadians may get even more NFL games.

@KennyAlbert has been in a safe bubble in #Edmonton for the @NHL playoffs. The @NFL made up a rule where anyone who has been outside the U.S. has to #quarantine for 14 days to call a game on site. #Canada is safer than any NFL city right now. https://t.co/ljs9aEMSTr

— Chad Rubel (@canadian_xing) September 12, 2020

Kenny Albert has been in one of the safest places in North America in the NHL bubble in Edmonton for NBCSN. Albert was scheduled to leave the bubble to cover the NFL for Fox. The NFL has had this peculiar rule, even more odd since the NFL plays in London and Mexico City and used to play in Toronto. Albert flew from Edmonton through Toronto to Detroit when he found out en route that he wouldn't be able to call the NFL game.

Fox replaced Albert for the game in Detroit with Dick Stockton, who reportedly came in from Arizona. Edmonton, even outside the bubble, is safer than Arizona.

We profiled Kenny Albert's life in the bubble. The NHL gets full credit for how the bubbles in Edmonton and Toronto have gone. The NFL could learn something from the NHL.

The NFL rule doesn't specifically say Canada, yet the national announcers are either in Canada (Albert) or the United States (everyone else). Sam Rosen, who is calling NHL playoff games on the radio, isn't on Fox's list of NFL announcers.

logo credit: Buffalo Bills/NFL
Twitter capture: @canadian_xing

Canadian travel update: The waiting is the hardest part

There are a few stories about people being cut off thanks to the Canada-U.S. border closing, a closing that will run until at least September 21. In the proverbial backseat, asking "when will the border restrictions be lifted?" is being ignored. You will know when it happens, whenever that might be.

The 19-year-old in Hyder, Alaska (population 63) cut off from his friends in Stewart, BC. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee sending a letter to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on behalf of the residents of Point Roberts, WA, who are surrounded on 3 sides by water and the fourth side by Canada. The U.S. park ranger handling the American side of Peace Arch Historical State Park where Canadians cross over to see friends and loved ones while the Canadian side of Peace Arch Provincial Park closed on June 18. Small cities in Maine such as Calais, Houlton, and Fort Kent can't access their customers from nearby New Brunswick.

These stories and hundreds of others remind us of the importance of cross-border traffic between Canada and the United States.

Our travel coverage has suffered this summer as a result of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. We do have a few stories, some of which don't mention Driving to Alaska.

Driving to Alaska now has specific terms in Canada

2020 Touchdown Atlantic in Halifax: What would have been

Driving to Alaska should not be code for staying in Canada during a pandemic

Celebrating Canada Day 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic

Canadian sports notebook: Toronto and Edmonton still NHL hub city options

Canadian travel bubbles could boost tourism within Canada

Jay Baruchel took us on a Canadian TV and Canadian film led road trip in April. A way to travel through Canada without spending any loonies or twoonies.

Jay Baruchel MADE road trip takes us through Canada for Canadian content

COVID-19 memory is a real phenomena. Here is more on why we ended up here in the first place. This border reopening isn't happening any time soon.

Canada-U.S. border closes to non-essential traffic over COVID-19 coronavirus

When the border reopens and if you have enough money, travel to Canada may not involve an airplane (depending on where you live) and is a fine alternative to Europe that likely still won't be open to Americans even after the Canada border is open.

Where to visit Canada in 2020

CanadianCrossing.com travel coverage

We don't want to close with a pseudo fake "We'll get through this together" message. We may not. Having a focal point can help us get through this pandemic. That could be making plans for travel to Canada.

photo credit: CBC News

Canadian Museum of Human Rights needs a CEO who really understands human rights

Editor's note: Our proposal was written before the Canadian Museum of Human Rights named a new president and CEO. We sincerely hope Isha Khan will make a glowing and positive presence for the museum. We still submit our application.

I certainly have made a few arguments on how I could make an impact in Canada in various positions over the years. The requirements for the Canadian Senate are full of minutia.

You could argue that I haven't worked in a museum or been a CEO of a non-profit organisation. There is an opening for the CEO at the Canadian Museum of Human Rights in Winnipeg after allegations of 'pervasive and systemic' racism.

So why would I be a great CEO for the Canadian Museum of Human Rights?

Why I should be the new CFL commissioner

Canadian ambassadors should know Canada really well

New U.S. ambassador to Canada should know Canada before taking job

What if Justin Trudeau could appoint me to the Canadian Senate?

On the surface, I would not be the ideal CEO for a human rights museum in 2020 since I am a white male from the United States. I understand that. Here is why I might be the ideal candidate.

my love of Canadian film, including Indigenous stories — I likely have seen more documentaries and feature films of Indigenous people than most Canadians who are not Indigenous.

work as a journalist — Covering people's stories who don't normally get enough exposure, you learn to listen and let other people tell their stories. I have the inherent curiosity paramount to a good journalist.

love of history — I almost minored in history at university. I have a strong interest in learning stories from the past and how they relate to the present and the future.

principled approach to offensive sports nicknames — We have never published any of the offensive nicknames for any sports teams at CanadianCrossing.com.

the outsider element — I don't have biases against French-speaking people or Indigenous people. I don't have a province of bias since I am not from any province. I do know enough Canadian history but as an outsider.

empathy and sensitivity — People need to be heard and listened to with understanding. I might be in my box with my outside but feel comfortable being the only white or male or both in a room. I understand the need to have a harmonious workplace where people feel comfortable and safe. Good for those people but also the best way to get the most from your employees.

willingness to live in Winnipeg — I have been to Winnipeg and the museum. I enjoyed my time there. I don't have a snob reaction to living in Winnipeg.

Canada's leading export might be values promoting human rights

After seeing Winnipeg on TV, you should go see for yourself

Saskatoon berries a great reason to visit the Prairies

CFL in the Prairies is where the league shines

Finding my own personal Winnipeg

CanadianCrossing.com Manitoba coverage

You are often asked in job interviews about your motivations for why you want this particular position. You can't say "Canada. Winnipeg." and expect to get the job. You breathe a sigh and give an unexpectedly honest, blunt answer.

"At this point in my life, my career, I want to be somewhere to make a difference. I don't want this job just as a job. I want to be here at least a decade if not longer. I want this to be the last job interview I have in a good way."

"When I was here in Winnipeg, I heard in separate conversations from white women who told me they would never go in the Canadian Museum of Human Rights because Indigenous people get in for free. I had not been to the museum before these conversations. I was stunned each time I ran across the line, surprised that these women, who did not know each other, would repeat the same line. I hope that I become the new CEO to have a good response as a comeback. I would preach to the converted in this job but I also hope to have opportunities to show people such as these women the meaningfulness of why the museum is for everyone because all humans have rights."

If you are interested in learning more, you can go to the CanadianCrossing.com home page and click on "Email me."

photo credits: me

Driving to Alaska now has specific terms in Canada

Driving to Alaska, which I want to do after the pandemic is over, is now a lot more specific. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announcing new credentials as of July 31 at 12:01 am PDT. You must enter at a crossing from a list of 5 crossings: Abbotsford-Huntingdon (BC); Coutts (AB); Kingsgate (BC); North Portal (SK); and Osoyoos (BC).

Travellers will get a “hang tag” attached to their rear view mirror. This will help reduce Canadians' concern over U.S. licence plates in Canada. Drivers must check in once again with the CBSA before exiting Canada for Alaska.

They will be limited to travel within Canada using the most direct route from the point of entry while avoiding all national parks, leisure sites, and tourism activities. For what it's worth, Alberta RCMP said no fines were issued to wayward U.S. drivers in July.

Curious what the direct route would be crossing at Coutts. That could put you in Calgary and on the way to the Icefield Parkway. The drawback is the route would put you in Banff National Park, a violation of the terms. Just thinking about a post-pandemic trip.

You can go through the specifics if you are planning a trip. Quite surprised this wasn't on the docket before now. The trust the countries share should be encouraged but clearly some travellers were violating the letter and spirit of that trust.

CanadianCrossing.com border crossings coverage

CanadianCrossing.com travel coverage

Canadians do a lot more shopping in the United States than the other way around. Yet the numbers are now in the opposite direction. U.S. Customs and Border Protection says more than 2,100 people were turned away attempting to enter America at a land border between March and June.

The Canada Border Services Agency said more than 6,000 travellers were stopped from coming into Canada at land, rail, and marine ports between March 22 and July 22.

Those numbers are apples and oranges. The Canadian numbers include more ways to get in and are for a month longer than the U.S. numbers.

Canadians might be smarter in not trying to cross the border at this time. Americans may be clueless or they just don't care.

"When I called the U.S. the biggest petri dish in the world, that was not just off the cuff," George Creek, president of BC Marine Parks Forever, told NPR.

There are stories about accidentally crossing the border. The way some Americans are traveling shows they know the border is closed. Potential penalties include being banned from entering Canada for a period of time. 

The 21st day in the month is now a trigger in whether the border closing will be renewed. There is no political capital on the Canadian side to open. Even if the worst of COVID-19 is in states nowhere near the border, Canadians for the most part have said no to the United States.

The American political landscape has a lot of issues; somehow the Canadian border isn't one of those issues lately.

Assuming the NFL starts anywhere the regular scheduled dates, the Buffalo Bills have informed Canadian season ticket holders that if the border remains closed, money will be refunded accordingly. No major sports league in North America has allowed fans; the NFL seems to think the league will allow limited numbers of fans. The Buffalo Bills have a significant Canadian clientele.

The Canadian government protection for those unemployed and underemployed isn't perfect but is light years away from the United States. The loss of the $600 unemployment supplement, for political purposes only, will do significant damage to the U.S. economy, which is saying something.

photo credit: Government of Canada

2020 Touchdown Atlantic in Halifax: What would have been

The CFL had plans for a much larger Touchdown Atlantic experience culminating in the first regular season CFL game in Nova Scotia on Saturday. The game had sold out, something that didn't always happen.

The COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic might take out the first year without a Canadian football season since 1918. COVID-19 did take out the 2020 Touchdown Atlantic game and celebration.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders and Toronto Argonauts were scheduled to play at Saint Mary's University in Halifax. Chris Cuthbert did regret in his departure from TSN that he never got to call a regular-season game in Halifax. Cuthbert's TSN debut was a preseason game in Halifax.

They were bringing in temporary seats to fill the capacity to 10,000. There would have been a festive atmosphere given the proximity to downtown Halifax.

The Touchdown Atlantic has had regular season games in Moncton, New Brunswick in 2010, 2011, 2013, and 2019. A scheduled 2006 exhibition game in Halifax was cancelled in 2006 since the Ottawa Renegades folded. Saint John, New Brunswick hosted preseason games in 1986 and 1987 before Touchdown Atlantic was a concept.

Having a regular season game in Halifax was supposed to be a major step in the formation of the Atlantic Schooners.

The CFL had planned a 3-day “mini Grey Cup festival” featuring music, parties, and family-friendly fun. Today would have been Day 3. I have not been to a Grey Cup week but reportedly the people who have the most fun are the Atlantic Schooners gatherings. They don't even have a team. Yet.

What sports will look like on Canadian soil in 2020

CFL dream: What if U.S. sports fans suddenly cared about the CFL

If CFL plays in 2020, have all the games in the Maritimes

We did propose the CFL play a limited season in Moncton, Saint John, and Halifax to bring attention to the sport in Atlantic Canada. Not a genius but the timing of a July and August season in that part of Canada would have been glorious.

There wouldn't have been fans at the games but the attention to that part of Canada would have looked so good on television.

I visited Moncton and New Brunswick in 2013 in part because of Touchdown Atlantic. That was a wonderful trip that had a CFL game in the mix. I have seen a lot of Canada in part because of the CFL.

Canadian travel bubbles could boost tourism within Canada

CFL travels have sent me to every league city

CanadianCrossing.com New Brunswick coverage

CanadianCrossing.com Nova Scotia coverage

CanadianCrossing.com travel coverage

CanadianCrossing.com CFL coverage

We know the next full and relatively normal CFL season will have a Touchdown Atlantic in Halifax. The celebration may be extra special because of what has happened. I would have done some morning shopping at the Halifax Seaport Farmers Market, a short distance from the stadium. A good time of year to get a real lobster roll (butter, not mayonnaise). The streets will be filled with the green of the Saskatchewan Roughriders. They travel well. There will be some Toronto Argonauts fans, too. I remember seeing Ottawa Rough Riders jerseys in 2013, a year before the Ottawa RedBlacks made their debut.

There will even be some Atlantic Schooners jerseys in the mix.

photo credits: CFL; Google maps

Toronto Blue Jays won't play in Canada for 2020 regular season

The Toronto Blue Jays won't be allowed to play regular season games at Rogers Centre or anywhere else in Canada. The Canadian government said no to the proposal, even though the city and the province had approved the request.

The Blue Jays are looking into Sahlen Field in Buffalo or TD Stadium in Dunedin, Florida for the 30 games of the regular season. While the Blue Jays season starts on Friday, the home season doesn't start until July 29. The lights are a major issue in Buffalo. The high numbers of COVID-19 are a major issue in Florida. 

The Canadian government had approved for the Blue Jays to train at Rogers Centre; that model was similar to the hub concept for the NHL. Speculation for the denial for the regular season was the back-and-forth travel from some key hot spots in the United States, especially Miami and the Tampa Bay area. 

The Blue Jays had reportedly made improvements to the plan, shifting to have both teams in the hotel within the confines of Rogers Centre. 

What sports will look like on Canadian soil in 2020

Canadian sports notebook: Toronto and Edmonton still NHL hub city options

CanadianCrossing.com MLB coverage

"Unlike preseason training, regular-season games would require repeated cross-border travel of Blue Jays players and staff, as well as opponent teams into and out of Canada," Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino said. "Of particular concern, the Toronto Blue Jays would be required to play in locations where the risk of virus transmission remains high.

"Based on the best-available public health advice, we have concluded the cross-border travel required for MLB regular-season play would not adequately protect Canadians' health and safety. As a result, Canada will not be issuing a National Interest Exemption for the MLB's regular season at this time.''

For the first time since 1989, Blue Jays home games will be subject to weather delays and cancellations. The team will also have to scramble to find "home" housing if the team ends up in Buffalo. There may be housing for the team and its opponent in Dunedin.

There was speculation earlier this week that the Washington Nationals would also be in a similar predicament. However, the Nationals will play their home games at Nationals Park. The Blue Jays will be there July 27-28 after playing exhibition games in Boston and a 3-game series in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Buffalo is the preferred choice for the Blue Jays with Dunedin a reluctant Plan B.

The Canadian government decision will likely impact the MLS home games for Toronto FC, Montréal Impact, and the Vancouver Whitecaps once the MLS tournament in Orlando has concluded.

We will have more on this for our Toronto Blue Jays preview this coming week.

Note: The Toronto exhibition games at Fenway Park will be on Rogers Sportsnet at 7 pm Eastern on Tuesday and Wednesday. MLB Network will carry both games on a tape delay basis at 7 am Wednesday and 11 pm Wednesday, respectively. The NESN feed will almost certainly be used.

photo credit: me

Driving to Alaska should not be code for staying in Canada during a pandemic

Most of my crossings into Canada have been in planes and buses. I used to cross by car on occasion but not lately.

Before the pandemic, getting into Canada by driving to Alaska is not something I would have considered. The United States purchased Alaska from Russia on October 18, 1867, a few months after Canada became a country .

The "driving to Alaska" reasoning has increased to get around the rules to enter Canada from the United States during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. Americans keep getting caught in Canada vacationing instead of traveling to Alaska.

There is no way via public transportation to get to Alaska. Sailing on a cruise ship, flying, and driving are the ways to get to Alaska from the continental United States.

Before the pandemic, driving to Alaska would have been a boon for tourism in western Canada. British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and the Yukon would have had extra tourists and their dollars.

Driving to Alaska might be legitimate even in 2020 but the excuse clearly has been abused by some who have no intention to going to Alaska. Some may be heading to Alaska eventually but stopping off in the Canadian Rockies.

Americans trying this stunt should know that Canadians aren't happy with Canadians driving around with U.S. licence plates. They aren't taking kindly especially when Americans are behind those wheels.

A man in his 20s has been linked to a COVID-19 case in Nova Scotia and a case in Prince Edward Island. He had been in the U.S. and flew to Toronto and then Halifax. He reportedly did not self-isolate in Nova Scotia. He had a student visa to study on PEI, but did not have the necessary paperwork.

Missoula, Montana to Anchorage, Alaska would be an incredible road trip … just maybe not in a pandemic.

Canadian travel bubbles could boost tourism within Canada

CanadianCrossing.com travel coverage

I do have a friend who recently moved from Indiana to Alaska. Would love to visit this person. Haven't been to Alaska. I would find a different way to make that happen, as fun as the trip would be.

Gas is pretty cheap by Canadian standards lately. I would be tempted to drive up the Icefield Parkway between Calgary and Jasper on the way. Still, Canadians are trying to protect themselves from the horrible COVID-19 numbers to the south. Driving to Alaska is a legitimate purpose for a select few. Piggybacking on that to have a Canadian vacation is detrimental to the health of Canadians.

Trust has disappeared in the times of the pandemic. If you lie about traveling through to Alaska, assumptions will be made that you won't conform to wearing a mask or social distancing.

Indigenous areas in northern Canada are especially vulnerable to visitors since they don't have the resources to deal with a pandemic. In this case, the careless, clueless traveler is the smallpox.

Western Canada will still exist once this pandemic has subsided. The nature will still be there, whether you are traveling for that purpose or honestly driving to Alaska. We encourage travel to Canada during normal times. These times are not normal. Being patient is not easy but thinking Canadian might help you understand this.

Canada is more about society versus the United States' brand of individualism. These are generalities but in a pandemic, you have to think of other people. You really do. You don't know them but they are kind, gentle, wonderful people. They still keep the exception for driving to Alaska for those who are driving to Alaska. Don't take advantage of someone's good graces.

There might be international tension if Canada does clamp down on that exemption. That wouldn't be Canada's style. Then again, you have to do what you need to do in a pandemic.

map credit: Google