Please see updated messaging we received from PHAC in regards to exemptions for un vaccinated drivers returning to Canada who are hauling medical supplies.
Good afternoon,
Further to the message below, we are able to confirm that unvaccinated Canadian truckers who are returning to Canada with a delivery of medically necessary equipment (including medically necessary oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide and helium) are exempted from pre-departure testing, tests in Canada and quarantine requirements.
From: PMTC Head Office <info@pmtc.ca>
Sent: Monday, January 17, 2022 8:39 AM
Subject: E-Bulletin: FAQ and Further Guidance: Canadian Border Measures, those delivery essential medical supplies and products are exempt
Importance: High
E-Bulletin
January 17/2022
The PMTC had several communications with CBSA and Transport Canada over the weekend seeking clarity on point 20 in the attached FAQ document. Point 20 indicates foreign national drivers who are bringing essential medical supplies into Canada will be exempt from the quarantine and testing requirements. The document specifically only mentions foreign national drivers. We are still waiting on clarity as to how this effects Canadian drivers returning to Canada, or if there will be a similar exemption for Canadian drivers entering the US once their border vaccination mandate comes into effect, which is expected to be this Saturday, January 22nd. See below for the statement we received from officials this weekend.
“With respect to unvaccinated Foreign national truck drivers who are transporting oxygen/medical gases into Canada, we can confirm that these products are considered to be included in the definition of medical “equipment” within the Order in Council and therefore this cohort would be permitted entry to Canada and would be exempt from testing and quarantine. CBSA border officers have been provided guidance consistent with this interpretation.
We will have to get back to you regarding a Canadian driver in this circumstance.”
Mike Millian
President
Private Motor Truck Council of Canada
225 Main Street East
Unit #5, Milton, On
L9T 1N9
Office: 905-827-0587
Cell: 519-932-0902
Fax: 905-827-8212
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From: PMTC Head Office <info@pmtc.ca>
Sent: Friday, January 14, 2022 4:38 PM
Subject: E-Bulletin: FAQ and Further Guidance: Canadian Border Measures update that take effect at midnight tonight
Importance: High
Good afternoon:
We have attached are frequently asked questions and further guidance if needed in both English and French versions.
Warmest regards,
Annette Kieft
Executive Assistant | Member Services Coordinator
Private Motor Truck Council of Canada
225 Main Street E, Suite 5 | Milton, ON | L9T 1N9
T: 905-827-0587 x101 | F: 905-827-8212
E: info@pmtc.ca | W: www.pmtc.ca
From: PMTC Head Office
Sent: Friday, January 14, 2022 3:56 PM
Subject: E-Bulletin: Canadian Border Measures update that take effect at midnight tonight
Importance: High
E-Bulletin
January 14/2022
CBSA, PHAC and Transport Canada held a call with PMTC and other industry stakeholders earlier this afternoon to provide updated guidance on what will occur at the border as of midnight tonight for unvaccinated essential travellers. At the bottom of this email is the info we sent out earlier this week, and all of this still applies, but based on the confusion and errors in communication that have come out from government officials in the last few days, many points of clarification were asked and provided on todays call.
- effective 12:01am tonight/Saturday morning, any Canadian driver returning to Canada must be fully vaccinated, and are to submit their information through the ArriveCan App
- any non-Canadian driver who is not fully vaccinated will be turned around and sent back, this includes essential workers, such as Truck Drivers.
- any Canadian driver who is not fully vaccinated, including truck drivers, will be permitted entry, but will be required to quarantine and provide proof of a negative PCR test that was completed with in the last 72 hours.
- Drivers will be permitted to deliver the load they are bringing into Canada before they are required to go into quarantine. Strict public health measures must be followed during this process, and once the load has been delivered, they must then proceed directly to their quarantine location. No more commercial movements can be made after the load has been delivered that they arrived into Canada with. (Guidance is to be provided when you arrive at the border. We have also asked they provide it to us, and when we receive it, we will forward it along.)
- drivers will not be allowed to use their truck as a suitable place of quarantine. Your place of quarantine must have a physical address. It could be a hotel, a private residence, your home etc. You are allowed to travel home to quarantine, no matter the location, once your load has been delivered. As an example, if you arrive into Canada in Alberta to deliver, but live in Montreal. You can make your deliveries in Alberta, and once empty, you can drive empty to your home in Montreal to quarantine. You must follow strict public health guidelines when you are travelling to your quarantine location. If drivers do not follow quarantine orders, they can be subject to strict penalties and fines.
- Boarder officers have been instructed to exercise discretion through this transition when it comes to applying fines and penalties for such things as arriving at the border without a PCR test or with out providing their info with ArriveCan. Officers do have the power to penalize however if they feel it is required. They have no discretion when it comes to the quarantine requirement when you return however.
The PMTC spoke out very strongly and requested that drivers who were dispatched in the 16 hour window between when government officials indicated returning unvaccinated Canadians would not have to quarantine, until they corrected their message, be exempted from quarantine measures. We were told this could not been done under the Public Health Order. We feel drivers and industry should have to pay for the error that they made, however it was made clear this exemption will not be provided.
If you have drivers who were dispatched in this window, please let me know. Also, if, as a result of this order, you have drivers who are penalized as a result of this order, please reach back and let us know. We will gather this information to report to government.
Continue reading below for the info that was provided originally.
The link below is the official release from the government on the border vaccine mandate coming into effect on Saturday.
Requirements for truckers entering Canada in effect as of January 15, 2022 - Canada.ca
E-Bulletin
January 12th, 2022
CANADA BORDER VACCINE MANDATE SET TO TAKE EFFECT THIS SATURDAY
PMTC and other industry reps had a call earlier today with CBSA, PHAC and Transport Canada. The purpose of the call was to explain what will occur at the Canadian Border when essential workers arrive at it on Saturday, the day the Canadian border vaccine mandate is set to take effect. The mandate will pertain to both Canadian and non-Canadian drivers who seek to cross the land border into Canada.
Please be advised that to cross the border into Canada, drivers must download the ArriveCAN app. In order to cross the border into Canada, as of January 15th, drivers must show that they have been fully vaccinated from COVID-19 and use the ArriveCAN app. As of this date, if you are not vaccinated, a non- Canadian driver will be turned away at the port of entry and a Canadian driver returning to Canada will be instructed to follow quarantine protocols.
Links are provided below for more information, and key information and tips that were shared to today by government officials today are
- As of January 15th, it is required that essential workers enter their vaccination status through the ArriveCan app. If a driver does not have access to a smart phone or have a data plan, they can access the browser version of the arrive can app from any computer, enter their vaccination status on the reusable use receipt which is available for frequent travellers.
- Once the above info is entered, an ArriveCan receipt will be provided. Although your information and receipt will be electronically in the system, you are advised to either download a copy of the receipt to your electronic device as well as print off a paper copy to carry with you.
- You are advised to also carry a digital or paper copy of your proof of vaccination status with you in case it is asked to be verified at the border. The only proof that will be accepted is the one issued by the Province, Territory or State that administered it.
- Officials have advised us, if you are vaccinated but do not submit the information via ArriveCan as of January 15th, their focus will be on education and compliance initially. Failure to submit via ArriveCan will likely lead to delays at the border however, and the possibility of penalties do exist. If not using ArriveCan yet, you are advised to transition to it as soon as possible to avoid any issues.
- If you are medically exempt from being vaccinated, you must provide eligible proof of this exemption from a doctor licensed to practice in Canada.
The US administration corresponding mandate on foreign drivers entering the U.S. is expected go into effect on January 22.
Since this policy was first raised in government circles, we have constantly communicated the environment that this mandate would create. We had hoped that both U.S. and Canadian officials would recognize the effects this rule would have on our industry’s capacity levels. Unfortunately, at this point neither the Canadian nor U.S. officials have changed their position on this matter.
As we can probably predict, mandates such as this are certain to cause delays and increased issues regarding our supply chain. If you begin to encounter any problems due to the cross-border vaccine requirement, please don’t hesitate to forward this information to me.
For more details on the requirements for entry into Canada, please see the following resources:
For more details on the U.S. requirements for foreign nationals, please see the following resources:
DHS Vaccine Requirements Announcement
U.S. Cross Border Vaccine Fact Sheet
U.S. Cross Border Vaccine FAQs
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Mike Millian
President
Private Motor Truck Council of Canada
225 Main Street East
Unit #5, Milton, On
L9T 1N9
Office: 905-827-0587
Cell: 519-932-0902
Fax: 905-827-8212
