Today, Honourable Omar Alghabra, Canada’s Minister of Transport, announced that, as of November 1, 2021, the prohibition of cruise ships in Canadian waters would no longer be in effect if operators are able to fully comply with public health requirements.
Canada understands the maritime and tourism sectors have been hit hard by the global COVID-19 pandemic. As the country reopens safely, Canada is preparing for the upcoming cruise season that will help grow their economy.
As the outlook of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to improve, Canada looks forward to having a cruising season in 2022. The cruise ship industry, which represents more than $4 billion annual input into the Canadian economy and directly and indirectly generates approximately 30,000 jobs, is an important part of Canada’s domestic tourism sector.
“I would like to thank the federal government for working collaboratively and constructively with us, and for taking action on this issue that is an important part of BC’s economy. We know that cruise ship passengers want a Canadian experience in British Columbia, and we know that British Columbians want to welcome them to our cities when it is safe to do so.”
The Honourable Rob Fleming, British Columbia’s Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure
Transport Canada will continue to work with the Public Health Agency of Canada, other levels of government, the United States government, transportation industry stakeholders, Indigenous Peoples, and Arctic communities to help ensure Canadians and Canada’s transportation system remain safe and secure.
This will also affect the Hawaii cruises for next year. YEAY!!!!
Now I can book our flight home from Hawaii!
I wouldn’t read into it. Cruising season is long over in November…. Canada has been super strict, fingers crossed this Pandemic is nearing it’s end and it stays that way. Otherwise I see them locking it down again.
I wonder how much this was driven by the Alaska waiver this year and the bill to amend the PVSA?
Any word on if/when vaccinated Americans will be able to enter Canada? The Alaskan cruise season opening doesn’t help me if I’m not allowed to fly into Vancouver to begin with…
I believe Canada should make an announcement soon (possibly Monday 7/19) as they must tie up some loose ends such as this before they call for an election. Once the election is called Parliament is dissolved and no further bills can be passed, at least according to a Canadian friend that is attempting to help me understand how things work in their government.
The Canadian Government is supposed to release information next week on next steps for vaccinated travelers. A transcript of a conversation last night between the Prime Minister and provincial premiers indicates that the border should open up the fully vaccinated Americans by mid-August and the rest of the world by September. No words yet though on what will constitute a proof of vaccination. All that to say that as mentioned by your friend, more details should be forthcoming early next week