Land border between U.S. and Canada still locked tight

    Canada column for Sunday, May 23/21

    THE CANADIAN REPORT

   By Jim Fox

    We hear you knocking but you can’t come in, Canada says as it continues to lock up its land border with the U.S. for at least another month.

   Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the time is still not right during the pandemic to ease restrictions at the 5,400-mile border.

   Despite protests from U.S. border senators including New York’s Chuck Schumer, Trudeau said the border, closed for the past year, will remain closed to nonessential travel until at least June 21.

   Any decision to reopen the land border would depend on vaccination rates while people arriving by air require negative COVID-19 tests and a quarantine period.

   Meanwhile, three of Canada’s largest provinces – Ontario, Quebec and Saskatchewan – have started to ease restrictions and restart the economy.

   And Manitoba is reopening schools on Monday with all in-classroom learning and no virtual studies at home.

   The provinces will reopen in stages starting this weekend with outdoor activities including sports and golf as well as boating and outside visits.

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    It has been learned the reason for the sudden departure of Major-General Dany Fortin as head of Canada’s vaccine rollout was an allegation of sexual misconduct.

   Reports say the alleged incident happened 33 years ago when Fortin was attending the Royal Military College in Quebec.

   The military is investigating the complaint and would decide whether criminal charges should be laid.

   Prime Minister Trudeau said he was informed of the situation “a number of weeks ago,” but had little information as it is a military investigation.

   Through a lawyer, Fortin said he “vigorously and categorically denies this allegation.”

   His job is now being handled by Brigadier-General Krista Brodie.

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    News in brief:

   - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Quebec has the right to modify the Canadian Constitution to support its French language and heritage. The province has proposed language law reform to affirm that Quebec is a nation and its official language is French. Trudeau said both things “have already been recognized by the federal government.”

   -  Canada is toughening its mortgage test requirements over fears homeowners are piling up too much debt. The Bank of Canada said many households have taken on large mortgages compared with their income, “limiting their flexibility to deal with an unforeseen financial shock like the loss of a job.” Total household debt has increased by four percent since the start of the pandemic. The percentage of costly loans of more than 4.5-times a household’s income, have risen above the peaks seen five years ago, the bank said.

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     Facts and figures:

   Canada’s dollar is steady at its higher rate of 83 cents to the U.S. dollar that returns $1.21 in Canadian funds before exchange fees.

   The Bank of Canada key interest rate is 0.25 percent while the prime lending rate is 2.45 percent.

   Canadian stock markets are higher, with the Toronto index at 19,525 points and the TSX Venture index at 946 points.

   The average price for gas in Canada is up to $1.31 a liter (Canadian) or $4.97 for a U.S. gallon.

   Lotto Max: (May 18) 5, 9, 18, 27, 32, 38 and 40; bonus 34. (May 14) 3, 18, 19, 24, 26, 27 and 45; bonus 20.

   Lotto 6/49: (May 19) 12, 21, 25, 40, 42 and 49; bonus 45. (May 15) 3, 6, 12, 28, 39 and 46; bonus 5.

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    Regional briefs:

   - The magic has dimmed a little as all 18 Disney Stores in Canada are closing this summer. They’ve been in business for 30 years but the company said it needs to shut 60 stores in Canada and the U.S. to “significantly reduce its brick-and-mortar footprint.” The Canadian stores are in Ontario, with five in Toronto, Alberta, British Columbia and Manitoba. Online shopping is still available and merchandise at other retailers and theme parks.

   - The Lung Association of Prince Edward Island is hoping smokers will take the bait and trade their cigarettes for lobster in its annual Smoke Free Now challenge. Smokers need to sign up to go without a smoke for a month through June 22. The prize is a gift card for $30 worth of lobster or other seafood, said the association’s Julia Hartley.

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    Jim Fox can be reached at canadareport@hotmail.com