Canada-U.S. border closure extended by 30 days; CEBA eligibility expanded

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has officially announced that the Canada-U.S. border will remain closed to non-essential travel for another 30 days.

The border closure agreement with the U.S. was set to expire this Thursday (May 21). The border will now be closed until June 21st. 

“This is an important decision that will keep people in both of our countries safe,” Trudeau told reporters on Tuesday (May 19th) at his daily press update from Rideau Cottage in Ottawa.

The Prime Minister said there was a “clear desire” among the provinces of Canada to keep the current border measures in place.

“It is a source of vulnerability for all of us in terms of cases of COVID-19 coming into our country,” Trudeau said, speaking in French. “The Americans were completely open to doing it for another 30 days.”

The Canada-U.S. border will still, however, allow the flow of essential services and goods.

Trudeau didn’t provide an exact date on when the border would re-open. 

“These decisions are made week-to-week in this crisis,” he said. “We’re adjusting constantly to what the right measures are for Canadians.”

Trudeau also announced his government’s plan to expand eligibility for the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA).

Sole owner/operators of businesses that rely on contractors, as well as family-owned businesses that pay employees through dividends will now qualify for the program.

“We heard you when you said you needed a hand,” Trudeau said on the program’s expansion.

The Prime Minister said that further details on the eligibility expansion will be announced soon.

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