'Happy to see shoppers come back': Fargo Mayor on what border reopening means for local economy
Lineups of cars at the Canada-U.S. land border in North Dakota might be an unwelcome sight for Canadian shoppers revving up to cross in search of deals.
For Fargo Mayor Tim Mahoney, it is a sight for sore eyes.
“We’re excited to see there are lines cause that means people are coming.” Mahoney told CTV News Winnipeg.
“We think it is fantastic to have Canadian shoppers come back because this really helps in a lot of ways.”
After nearly two years, the United States reopened its land border with Canada on Monday to non-essential, fully vaccinated travellers.
During the closure, border communities like Fargo felt the financial absence of their Canadian customers left idling on the other side of the border.
Mahoney said despite the challenges, businesses were resilient.
“We have survived COVID fairly well, so a lot of our businesses have stayed alive,” Mahoney said.
The United States requires that travellers entering at land borders be fully vaccinated. Canada also requires anyone entering or re-entering the country to show proof of a negative PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before their arrival at the border – a practice some say should be re-examined.
Mahoney said testing is ongoing Monday through Friday for Canadian shoppers heading home. He believes cross-border shopping trips can still be safe in the age of COVID-19.
“Our vaccine rate is not as high as the Canadian vaccine rate, but in the community of Cass County, we’re getting closer to 65, 70 per cent,” he said.
“The merchants and everybody feels that everybody is safe and it should go well.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
New Norad commander calls Canada's defence policy update 'very encouraging'
American troops will be spending more time training in the Far North, the new commander of Norad says, a strategy that fits 'hand-in-glove' with Canada's renewed focus on Arctic defence.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Documents reveal Ottawa's efforts to get Loblaw, Walmart on board with grocery code
It was evident to the federal government as early as last fall that Loblaw and Walmart might be holdouts to the grocery code of conduct, jeopardizing the project's success.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.