Time to get cross-border traffic moving, expert says
Essential workers and truckers have remained cleared to traverse Windsor's busy border crossings, but too many businesses across the region are suffering due to the prolonged COVID-19 border restrictions, according to a University of Windsor research group.
Among those feeling the greatest effect are mould makers and automation companies, but a variety of service, manufacturing and supply businesses that rely on doing business face-to-face are suffering financially due to Canada-u.s. border closure.
“They tell us they are losing millions of dollars worth of new contracts because they cannot visit manufacturers in the U.S. and they cannot bring in potential customers for site visits,” said Bill Anderson, director of the university's Cross-border Institute, which studies border-related economics.
“Business people need to cross the border often to keep relationships up and running. There are many partnerships in supply chains. Our economy in this part of Canada is reliant on part of that supply chain.”
Trucks are still running, bringing parts and goods, he said.
“But a critical part of the economy are contracts to build the machinery (mould makers) that make the parts. That's something where we are world-class here, but a critical part of that is face-to-face meetings to make deals where you are spending many millions on equipment.”
Anderson suggested that getting a government-authorized blueprint to expand business exceptions at the border would be a good start.
It primarily comes down to efficient testing protocols, he said.
With the virus spreading at alarming rates in the U.S., many Canadians fear bringing COVID-19 back across the border.
Anderson said that no system is perfect, but creating an efficient testing system — perhaps through off-site methods before crossing the border — could work to ease restrictions.
Utilizing smart apps, paperwork or virtual methods could inform Canadian and U.S. border officers of negative test results, he suggested.
“You can't administer the tests at the border,” Anderson said. “Even if you do it fast, you will stack up cars at the border. The best way is off-site, then electronically convey that to the border.
“The rationale of closing the border is, one side is worse than the other.
“If you can reduce the risk, where both sides the risk is nearly the same, there is no longer a rationale for closing. If (test results and screening) are 90 per cent accurate, you have resolved much of your problem.”
Anderson and the university's Cross-border Institute have released a nine-page research paper with recommendations that has been submitted to various government and business leaders with hopes it will at least trigger discussion to get the ball rolling on a solution that will open the border.
Even if COVID-19 spread slows, getting a blueprint in place is critical — not only for the current pandemic, but also to avoid similar economic chaos in case of any future pandemic, he said.
“We welcome comment, debate and even criticism of our ideas,” Anderson said. “Nobody wants to sacrifice the safety side — it's not a case of taking chances because it's important for business. It's just us trying to help resolve the problems.
“You have essential workers crossing the border, so is there a way forward to expand the industries?
“We just need to start a conversation because it will take a while (for governments) to get something like this in place.”