May 12th 2020 (Updated May 13th 2020) – Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Canadian Prime Minister has stressed the Canadian Governments cautious approach to the possibility of re-opening the US/Canadian border, which unless, as expected, a compromised extension is forthcoming, is due to re-open on May 21st.

Even if the ban on non-essential travel remains after May 21st there is expected to be an increase in cross border travel as businesses re-open and lockdown rules on social mobility are eased.

Freeland stated that discussions between the US and Canada were ongoing at both a national and provincial level and that Canada will maintain its approach to remain prudent and cautious.

Of course with President Trump deciding matters on the US side it makes the question of when borders will re-open much less clear. Before the last 30-day extension in mid-April Trump stated: “It will be one of the early borders to be released.”

Canada’s leading public health office, Dr. Theresa Tam has provided an assessment to the Canadian Government that opening the international border again must be considered with “extreme caution” and that “they [the US] represent a risk to Canada” while the US struggles to manage outbreaks.

With the number of infected US citizens higher than any other country in the world there is understandable hesitancy, particularly on the Canadian side to allow non-essential cross border travel to start up again anytime soon.

This week Prime Minister Trudeau has reiterated that “we’re going to be very, very careful about reopening any international travel, including [from[ the United States, before we feel that it is time and that “…we will have more to say in the coming days on how we continue to move forward in a way that keeps Canadians safe.”