Photo by Whitehorse Star
Tourism critic Geraldine Van Bibber
ArriveCAN app needs to depart: Yukon Party
The Yukon Party is calling for the federal government to discontinue the use of the “ineffective” ArriveCAN app.
The Yukon Party is calling for the federal government to discontinue the use of the “ineffective” ArriveCAN app.
“We encourage the territorial Liberals to join our call to end the program,” the official Opposition said Sept. 8.
“The Yukon Party has heard from many Yukoners and the tourism industry about how they have seen a decrease in visitation from our Alaskan neighbours, and some tourism businesses have seen visitation numbers far below pre-pandemic levels,” the party said.
The app is often cited as the key deterrent for visitors crossing the border, the opposition added.
“ArriveCAN is a poor tool for the territory due to the cumbersome process, as well as the requirement to use it ahead of arrival because of unreliable cell service at the Yukon’s border crossings.
“In addition, seniors, some of whom are without a smartphone, find the app too onerous to complete.”
The Little Gold-Poker Creek border crossing is now closed for the season, earlier than normal for Yukon’s tourism season, noted Tourism critic Geraldine Van Bibber.
“It is time to start preparing for next summer. Operators, especially in the Klondike, say besides the early closure, there has been a notable decrease in American travellers thanks to the cumbersome ArriveCAN app.
“Unlike previous years, no American teams participated in the Labour Day softball tournament in Dawson City, while only a few teams from the U.S. took the field in Whitehorse for Dustball.”
This is why tourism businesses across the territory started voicing their concern about ArriveCAN during the spring, the Yukon Part noted.
The White Pass and Yukon Route railway directly cited potential delays due to the app and verification of hundreds of people at a time, for cancelling its excursions to Carcross for the season.
The Yukon Party is encouraging the federal government “to scrap the ArriveCAN app now, so tourism operators can plan for a full complement of American travellers during the 2023 season.”
Tourism and Culture Minister Ranj Pillai has responded that he is “concerned with the ongoing challenges connected to the ArriveCAN app and the impact felt here in the Yukon.
“Should issues persist with the ArriveCAN app, I believe its use should be discontinued,” he said in a statement to the Star.
“We have been actively engaged with the federal government to share the concerns we have been hearing from the sector. Earlier this summer, minister Randy Boissonnault (the federal Tourism minister) joined me in Dawson City and we discussed the local tourism industry at length.”
Overall, Pillai said, “the Yukon has welcomed back a stronger tourism season this summer for many stakeholders, and the sector is rebounding well.
“The demand for hotel rooms is high. We recognize this season also included a number of challenges for some operators, including labour shortages.
“Our government is committed to supporting the tourism sector as we work together to adapt to the realities of the pandemic through the implementation of the Tourism Relief and Recovery Plan (TRRP) with an investment of $15 million between 2020/2021 and 2022/23.”
That includes enhanced investments in research, brand assets, marketing, partnerships, and place branding managed by the Marketing Unit, Pillai added.
Tourism Yukon actively markets in 12 countries around the world, he added, noting sales offices in German-speaking Europe, the UK, Japan and Australia.
“We look forward to continuing to work with all of our partners to support our vibrant tourism sector in its recovery,” the minister added.
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Comments (24)
Up 8 Down 12
Wow on Sep 22, 2022 at 11:33 am
Does this woman have any clue the ArriveCan is a Federal app?
Up 7 Down 3
@John - tracking people across borders on Sep 22, 2022 at 9:41 am
The US and Canada started sharing information - after several delays - in 2016. It was an agreement so that people who own property on the 'other' side of the border pay capital gains tax when they sell (one reason, and I think it's totally fair. Canadian snowbirds and US 'lake people' will be taxed). As for benefits - yes, anyone who doesn't live in the country for 6-7 months per year might find some of the benefits deducted, both federal and territorial. That's true for Yukoners who spend more than 180 days out of the territory, not just out of the country.
Up 25 Down 7
AARIVE-NOT App - Pleeeaaase… on Sep 22, 2022 at 9:20 am
How about we send the Liberals on a holiday to China. Sure, the initial expense would be steep. However, we could implement an ARRIVE-NOT App to prevent their return.
First question: Are you, or have you ever been, a member of the Liberal Party?
This would allow us to prevent the introduction of ideological harms that are responsible for injury, death, and chaos into the country. It would eliminate harmful prejudices from
consuming the nation in a war of all against all. But most of all, it would result in a sharp decrease in the rate of incidents of international embarrassments.
Help re-establish sanity and order - Contact your MP today to support the implementation of the ARRIVE-NOT App - Come on Canada… It’s time to take the garbage to the curb!
Up 23 Down 7
AdmiralA$$ on Sep 22, 2022 at 7:54 am
"You westerners are so gullible. No you won't accept Communism outright, but we will keep feeding you small doses of socialism until one day you'll wake up and find you already have communism. We won't have to fight you. We'll so weaken your economy until you'll fall like over ripened fruit into our hands."
-Nikita Khrushchev sept 29, 1959.
No need to lie to us all Roy, we know who you'll cast your ballot for. Liberal is a soft word for you. One really only you speak. Communist is a soft word too but today, I'll stop there. Liberty 🗽 over security my friend...always.
Up 18 Down 9
Josey Wales on Sep 21, 2022 at 9:15 pm
Yeah...somethings needs to be gone from Canada, Emperor Blackface for a great start.
This app is a digital yellow star designed to other folks and keep Liberal sycophants happy.
Hate has a purpose, example I hate Nazis proper, I hate pedofiles and think a dirt nap is fitting. Those are mere examples where hate has a home.
The best example is my absolute hatred of liberals, their Jack bootlickers, and what they have done to this once great country.
...and this app can go too, away.
Up 20 Down 8
Khoudung Flunghi on Sep 21, 2022 at 6:18 pm
Ahh the days when we could hop a plane and disembark in a warm tropical climate for a few weeks to break up the winter. Arrived back in Whitehorse with a nice warm meal from Air North behind your belly button, and a friendly greeting at the gate..
Wouldn't it be great if JT and company would admit the whole thing was a farce all along, so we could all have a good laugh and go back to the good ol' days?
Think that will happen? I'm selling a bridge at the bottom of a lake somewhere; call me april first.
Up 13 Down 1
John, you're right on Sep 21, 2022 at 4:28 pm
The official announcement will likely be tomorrow.
Up 22 Down 2
Groucho d'North on Sep 21, 2022 at 1:28 pm
Lots of comments on who has the tools to track citizens here and afar. Passports for sure, ArriveCan perhaps but the most common method of following people is their spending methods and credit cards have been provent to be the most effective, and the banks willfully share ther data with the Big Brother agencies. The push for a cashless society is not about money.
Up 22 Down 7
John on Sep 21, 2022 at 11:37 am
@ just announced
Little early with your pronouncement aren't we? The story is still evolving with federal ministers now advocating that ArriveCAN stay in place "as it is a useful tool".
Oh, and yes, the program has the ability to be tapped into - the feds admitted to that months ago. Of course they did say "they would never use it for nefarious purposes." Want to buy the Teslin Bridge? Ye of great faith in the Liberals...
Up 14 Down 23
Roy on Sep 20, 2022 at 6:20 pm
How do we know Admiral A$$, Juniper, John, DL - all the regulars- have never left the country before?
They think the government needs an app on your phone to know when you leave the country and come back LOL
Ever hear of a passport
You think the government doesn’t know when a boomer snowbird leaves for Palm Springs or Tampa and comes back in the spring without an app?
Give your heads a shake. Try leaving your tiny world bubble. The world is a much bigger place than the dirty northern.
And then get a grip on reality. You’re embarrassing yourself.
And this talk of dystopian ArriveCAN social credit scores while at the same time the government already announced ArriveCAN is no longer necessary is just icing on the cake.
Yeah the liberals suck. Trudeau is so out of touch. The NDP can’t lead.
Too bad the conservatives couldn’t get their act together to pick a better leader. PP is tool.
We’re screwed. I think I’ll spoil my ballot next time in protest of these poor choices.
I’m glad ArriveCAN is done though -it’s no longer necessary. Funny that Currie wants to pretend he has influence over its demise. “Currie who?” says anyone in Ottawa - liberal or conservative.
Up 47 Down 10
Terrence Tait on Sep 20, 2022 at 5:30 pm
The app is utterly useless and hasn’t prevented disease. Just barriers for elderly and those that want to live.
Up 40 Down 15
Guncache on Sep 20, 2022 at 5:10 pm
ArrivCan does nothing to protect Canadians. It's a waste of time. You cross the border, you show your passport. Trudeau Jr wants to control his subjects. Next step is Jr will be starting a Brown Shirt movement. Canada, the only country with this foolish red tape.
Up 25 Down 8
well, who knew? on Sep 20, 2022 at 3:45 pm
Just announced, vaccine requirements for crossing the border will be dropped at the end of the month, and ArriveCan will be 'optional' (not sure what that means). Both reasonable, given the current state. But for those (June and John) who think that Arrivecan tracks people? No, but your passport does - just like every single country in the world, Canadians leaving the country and re-entering had better have a passport, and be able to confirm where they've been and for how long.
Up 17 Down 67
Observer on Sep 20, 2022 at 11:48 am
What a waste of a story. Filled it out in 10 minutes, nothing onerous at all. Talk about catering to a few people who feel they should be able to go anywhere, no questions asked. You are crossing a border, live with it.
Up 19 Down 47
Roy on Sep 20, 2022 at 11:39 am
Yes the crappy ArriveCan app needs to go. Good thing the Liberals have said this week they are no longer making it mandatory. Shoot - there goes your conspiracy theories!
Nice of the YP to then jump on this and say "Hey...we have a good idea....get rid of it" - easy way to get a win when it's already in the works.
Why doesn't Currie at the same time shout "Hey Trudeau - we demand Christmas be on December 25th this year! Bow to our powerful demands!" and then they can use this as a success story in the next election.
Too bad for him that's not for 3 more years.
Press the red thumbs down button if you want to convince yourself Currie Dixon has any degree of influence in federal politics in Ottawa. No one there knows his name LOL
Up 49 Down 10
AdmiralA$$ on Sep 20, 2022 at 8:07 am
Some of the people who read my comments probably think I'm bat s***t crazy. Well if you support this Orwellian crap then trust me, the feeling is completely mutual. Moving into 3 years now and they are still impeding Canadians at our own boarders. What a joke. I suppose if they had said 2 years to flatten the economy to the point where you'll give your house back. It's likely far less people would have went for it. Oh well, I suppose if you thought the last 3 years was nasty, get ready for the next 3 years. The light at the end of the tunnel is getting dimmer and dimmer everytime Macklem raised rates on our 2/3 trillion of debt and how about a good laugh for adjustable mortgage holders. By November their rates will be nearly 3 times what it was last year. Should be a very Merry Christmas...."Oh Admiral, it's supply line inflation not Money supply expansion that's causing this". Wrong again, prices don't rise in aggregate unless it's cause by excess money in the system. In a healthy system prices would fall on non essential items as people used cash to buy essential items. If you still believe this is purely supply line inflation your as nuts as the people who support ArriveCAN.
Up 19 Down 13
Arnie on Sep 19, 2022 at 11:52 pm
Gee thanks Geraldine we haven't heard from you since you were calling a meeting to discuss consultations in your riding that had already taken place.
Up 46 Down 11
DL on Sep 19, 2022 at 9:25 pm
ArriveCan has to go now. It's just a tracking device, has nothing to do with health. Ask our dear MP Brendan Hanley: ArriveCan was designed to introduce Digital ID. You know, the thing with which the government will keep score of your social credit. So, that if you post too many critical comments online, you won't be allowed to board a bus or a plane. Just like in China.
Say no to ArriveCan. Say no to Digital ID.
Up 14 Down 6
Hopeful on Sep 19, 2022 at 9:21 pm
Ranj has an opportunity to position himself as a sound politician who refuses to play the partisan game. Yukoners are deserving of someone who will fight for them regardless of the party line. Let’s see how he chooses to play this out.
Up 24 Down 29
Olav on Sep 19, 2022 at 5:14 pm
Come on YP.
The ARVCan APP is not the issue. The issue is that many
Alaskans are not vaccinated.
The APP takes all of 3 minutes to complete. (Once you are registered)
I support your stance on the operational hours of the Little Gold crossing.
Time to sink your teeth into the bigger issues facing Yukoners..
Currie better come up with some achievable goals.
You want to solve the housing crisis- reduce the size of the YG.
No where else in Canada is the population of an area comprised of 38% Territorial/Provincial government workers- ridiculous.
Between Federal, Territorial, Civic and FN governance over 60% of the working Yukon population works for some form of one of the Governments.
No wonder private enterprise can not hold onto employees.
Big salaries, pensions and benefits within the Government sector steal workers from the service industry.
Have you noticed how many totally non-qualified YG workers hold positions just to keep a seat warm?
Time to trim the fat. Johnny O froze salaries and hiring, it is time for another flushing.
Up 58 Down 19
Matthew on Sep 19, 2022 at 4:10 pm
Oh please, too little too late. Cowards from ALL parties during covid!
Up 86 Down 16
John on Sep 19, 2022 at 3:44 pm
ArriveCAN is nothing more than a way to track people. Why - well for one thing the snowbirds. If you are outside Canada for more than 6 months then your health care can get dinged along with other federal benefits. It tells them how many times you have crossed the border (like it is any of there damn business). It serves zero value for anything else. It is a pain in the butt and useless.
It is all about knowing who you are, what you are about, where you have been, etc. The smell of Big Brother is watching you rings loudly. Typical of Liberals to want to control the population. What other purpose pray benefits from this silliness if not what I mentioned. Don't play the Covid card because that is the make believe excuse.
We are slowly loosing our freedoms - a little bit at a time. A nibble here and a nibble there and soon you are under the collective control for the most part by the government.
Up 75 Down 21
Juniper Jackson on Sep 19, 2022 at 3:42 pm
Truceau is a control freak. ArriCan has nothing to do with Covid. It's just a way of tracking Canadian's travel. Where you went, how much you spent. BTW, Rev.Can. has access to your banking information. If you said at the border, you spent 65.$ at JoMarts place, if you get audited, your bank better show only that amount. The driver of the car.. has no business knowing my health status, passport information, or the other personal questions. And it didn't make the line move any faster at the border. We would not give the border guards any grief about just doing their job. But, make no mistake, ArriCan is not about covic. It's just about Trudeau keeping a stranglehold on where we go and what we do.
Up 31 Down 13
Wilf Carter on Sep 19, 2022 at 3:21 pm
Yukon Tourism can learn a lot from Alberta tourism actions..