Re-open Point Roberts border crossing, pleads Washington state senator

The U.S.-Canada land border closure could be ending soon in Point Roberts, thanks to calls from a senior Washington State senator.

It has been closed for over 17 months, causing massive disruptions to the international economy and culture. Patty Murray says the Point Roberts community is facing major struggles that could be alleviated by an exemption.

“Their local economy depends on Canadian tourists, especially since the only ferry between Point Roberts and the rest of Washington state is closed because of the pandemic, so people can’t get up there right now. The only people who can help this community survive have to come across this border,” she said.

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Murray has made a plea to U.S. President Joe Biden to open the crossing to travellers from our country.

She says while she’s glad to see the Biden administration taking the pandemic seriously and delivering much-needed relief, she refuses to stay silent about the “serious, completely unnecessary harm this border closure is causing.

“You can take a boat right now from Canada to Point Roberts. You can fly across the border from Vancouver into Seattle, but right now because this border is closed, a Canadian family who lives within here can’t go to Point Roberts for lunch.”

Biden has not yet directly responded to Murray’s request.

With files from Martin MacMahon.