When demanding United States take action, our elected officials often point to the Canadian Government exemptions, or mention that Canadians can still fly to the United States. If only it was that simple.

Laurie R.

I live in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, he is in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Literally a 5 minute drive. I flew to Traverse City, Michigan last week via 4 airports, 11hrs. and $1,100.00

Bryan C.

I live in Hamilton, ON and my fiance and stepsons live in Niagara Falls, NY. What was normally a 1 hour of travel which included grabbing a coffee and going through customs with a cost of 10 dollars turned into a 1 hour drive to Toronto parking costs flying almost 2 hours onto Chicago with a 5 hour lay over to jump on another 2 hour plane ride to buffalo where my fiance had to drive 40 mins to come get me and 40 mins back to our home. Total time: just over 11 hours and about $400.

Lynn

My partner lives on Vancouver island and he used to be able to take a non-stop commercial or float plane flight that was 45 minutes. Now for him to fly to Seattle he has to go via YVR - which results in an early morning flight with a 5-6 hour layover. Flying to Seattle now takes 7.5 hours plus to get here as no direct flights of service is offered from YYJ- tickets range from $350-550.

Tanja O. 

I live right on the border in Emerson, MB and my husband lives in Grafton, ND, less than an hour away. We used to drive back and forth on the weekends or sometimes during the week after work. To travel to see him I dropped our six week old son off with him at the border and then had to turn around and fly from Winnipeg - Minneapolis - Grand Forks, spending hours in the Minneapolis airport waiting for my connecting flight & spending hundreds of dollars on a ticket.

Jeff L.

I am in White Rock BC and my wife is in Bothell Wa, 90 min door to door. I am immunocompromised and cannot fly.

Bottom line: The lack of a family reunification exemption not only keeps loved ones apart, but also forces them into lengthy, costly travel and puts them at significantly higher risk of getting COVID-19.