Windsor, Ontario – Auto industry officials are warning that inconsistent enforcement at the U.S.-Canada border has the potential to cost Canadian companies jobs, as several multi-million dollar deals have already fallen through the cracks.
Members of Canada’s automotive supply chain have been appealing to the federal government to establish more consistent COVID-19 precautions at the nation’s border crossings, as recent reports have been made indicating that some American employees attempting to cross the border into Canada for work are being ordered to quarantine for 14 days, if not refused entry altogether.
“The government has totally dropped the ball on this,” Canadian Association of Mold Makers chair Jonathon Azzopardi said.
“The problem is at the Canadian border, not the U.S. We’re inflicting economic pain on our own companies by essentially putting up a trade barrier against ourselves. We’re in desperation mode. We’re going to lose jobs because of this.”
The common complaint among Canadian manufacturers is that crossing the border, even under nearly identical circumstances, is often treated on a case-by-case basis, sometimes resulting in an employee being denied entry dispute having made the same crossing recently.
Sales director for Cavalier Manufacturing Tim Galbraith is far too familiar with this reality as his company’s growth has been left stagnant, with a Mexican client of theirs unable to visit their Windsor, Ontario facility before signing onto a deal.
“You’re at the whim of the interpretation of the rules by the individual border officials,” Galbraith said.
“We lose our footing on this and it crushes the relationship. They’ll move on to American suppliers.”
Canadian Border Services responded to complaints from industry officials via email, where they reaffirmed their stance that the government is making informed assessments of admissibility in regards to COVID-19 screening.
“In all cases, the designation of an essential service provider is used, they must be entering for the purpose of that function, or clearly meet the class of persons as defined by the Canadian Public Health Officer,” said CBSA manager of media relations Ashley Lemire.
“When assessing admissibility, CBSA border services officers take all relevant factors into consideration prior to making a decision. Decisions are made on a case-by-case basis and are informed by the individual circumstances of each traveller.”
