Asked if he would speak with Washington Gov. Jay Inslee about closing the U.S. side of Peace Arch Park, B.C. Premier John Horgan said management of the issue belongs with Canada含羞草研究社檚 federal government.
However, Horgan continued, if the issue of Canadians and Americans mingling at the park was flagged as a problem by provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, he would 含羞草研究社渢ake action immediately.含羞草研究社�
The question was posed to the premier Monday afternoon, by media following up on a letter signed by South Surrey MLA Stephanie Cadieux and Surrey-White Rock MLA Trevor Halford, both Liberals, that urged Horgan to speak to Inslee about shutting down Peace Arch State Park.
While the provincial government closed the Canadian side of the park in June, the American side, located off 0 Avenue, has remained open. The state side of the park has provided a daily site for wedding parties, family reunions and celebrations.
Over the weekend, South Surrey residents counted more than 75 tents in the park, which in some cases have been used by international couples to get reacquainted. No overnight camping is permitted in the park.
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含羞草研究社淚 have not seen any advice from Dr. Henry that this is a major issue,含羞草研究社� Horgan said, adding that Peace Arch Park has been 含羞草研究社渁n area of concern.含羞草研究社�
含羞草研究社淚 do speak regularly with Inslee. This is not an issue we含羞草研究社檝e discussed. We have discussed the challenges of residents of Point Roberts, U.S. citizens who must go through Canada to get to the United States. We含羞草研究社檝e discussed a range of issues about our economy and how integrated we are,含羞草研究社� Horgan said.
Pressed further on the issue of Peace Arch Park, with a suggestion that it was the province that shut down the Canadian side, so Washington State could do the same, Horgan said again that it含羞草研究社檚 an issue for the federal government.
含羞草研究社淒r. Henry has not raised it with me that it含羞草研究社檚 a concern. If at the end of this press conference I have a voice-mail from her that tells me otherwise, I含羞草研究社檒l be happy to get back to you,含羞草研究社� Horgan told a reporter.
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含羞草研究社淢y sense is that we want to encourage people to have good behaviour. If the people含羞草研究社� are coming from the south to the U.S. side of Peace Arch Park and meeting with their loved ones for brief visits, I含羞草研究社檓 reluctant to get in the way of that.含羞草研究社�
The park is one of few places, if not the only one, in Canada where Americans and Canadians can freely mingle without crossing a port of entry.
Halford noted that both he and Cadieux have been contacted by South Surrey residents who expressed concern about the potential spread of COVID-19 in the international park.
含羞草研究社淎t a time when COVID-19 variants could spread quickly, it含羞草研究社檚 more critical than ever to take action to protect our communities,含羞草研究社� Halford said.
Asked about enforcement of Canadians returning from the park in November, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said she often hears from people with concerns.
含羞草研究社淎s you know, there are people who monitor that park, the border itself is a federal jurisdiction and I know that they have enhanced patrols in that area. I含羞草研究社檓 not aware of any (COVID-19) cases related to people meeting outdoors at that park,含羞草研究社� Henry said.
aaron.hinks@peacearchnews.com
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