"In fact, ArriveCAN is helping us process arrivals significantly faster and reduce congestion," Omar Alghabra told the House Transportation Committee.
OTTAWA – Transport Minister Omar Al Ghabra defended the government's ArriveCAN app on Friday. , customs officials, airlines, airports, and border areas do not interfere with travel.
"There is absolutely no evidence that ArriveCAN is causing any problems," he told his MP at the Commons Transportation Commission.
He said air travel had improved and became more reliable, although there were still problems. By collecting vaccine information in advance, ArriveCAN speeds up the process, he said.
"There are people who have a vested interest in glorifying reality and undermining confidence in the aviation industry and are there just to make a political point," he said. "In fact, ArriveCAN has significantly sped up the arrivals process and helped ease congestion." said more should be done to She highlighted long waits, delays and cancellations, especially at major airports. It's an international disgrace," she said. ``Does the minister believe the government is somehow responsible for what happened this summer?'' Canada's flights have surged by more than 250% since January, compared to just 63% in the United States.
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He said there was a surge in an industry short of people .
"I have been consistent since May. Labor shortages are the root cause of airport congestion. Labor shortages at airports, airline labor shortages, and labor shortages in other agencies." he said.
Conservative MP Tony Baldinelli, who represents Niagara Falls, argued that Canada should follow the example of other countries and remove vaccination requirements, and at the same time he should abolish ArriveCAN. .
“Sixty countries around the world, including most of their European allies, have abandoned all restrictions on air travel due to the pandemic.
Al Ghabra argued that the Conservatives were too quick to dismiss COVID protections and support motorcade protests.
"It is disappointing that the Conservative Party did not take COVID seriously. It is a pity that we closed our borders and had such a huge impact on border areas.To this day we have not apologized. He said they have been severely hit by a decline in cross-border travel, and after two years of pandemic restrictions, this year's rules are self-deserving. 93}
“Covid has lost two years of tourism. Losing it this year would be self-harm and no one but this Liberal government is to blame.” '' he said.
In recent weeks, representatives of the Buffalo and Fort Erie Bridge Authority and associations representing duty-free shops have called on the government to phase out ArriveCAN, reducing traffic. and stated that wait times were increasing. times.
Customs and Immigration Union President Mark Webber said he testified to MPs in June that the app encouraged members to become IT consultants and help people fill out the app. said.
"Any border agent working on the front lines will tell you that processing times have skyrocketed with the implementation of the ArriveCan application," he said at the time.
Airlines and airports across the country are also calling for the app to be phased out.
Officials spoke out after Alghabra defended the app, including the Canadian Border Services Agency, which said Alghabra would speed up processing. Not using the app can result in heavy fines for travelers.
Jennifer Lutfahrer, vice president of Public Health Canada, said the government had imposed about 190 fines. This is a very small number considering the total number of travelers. She said the agency aims to avoid imposing fines where possible, suggesting that people fill out paper forms to help resolve technical issues, but that app use
“These individuals are either repeat offenders or individuals who simply do not comply.”
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