The Reeve of Piney would like to see the process simplified for Canadians crossing the border.

Wayne Anderson says it is good news that starting tomorrow, fully vaccinated Canadians will be able to cross the border, without needing to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test, if their trip is less than 72 hours long. But, Anderson would like to see that go one step further.

According to the government of Canada, 'all travellers, regardless of how long they were away from Canada, continue to be required to submit their mandatory information via ArriveCAN (free mobile app or website), including proof of vaccination in English or French and a quarantine plan prior to arriving in Canada.' It is this process that Anderson would like to see changed.

"A lot of the people in the RM of Piney have no access to cell service or Internet and this is going to be a big problem for them," notes Anderson.

The Reeve says he fears there will be residents leaving Piney after today, who will think they only need to show their proof of vaccine card when they try to re-enter Canada.

"And that's going to be a big problem," he says. "They have to be aware that there's other regulations that you have to follow in order to get back into Canada."

Anderson says using the ArriveCAN app will be less of a burden for those who might only cross the international border once or twice a year. But, he notes that is not the case for people living in border communities.

"We cross weekly and daily and sometimes a couple of times a day for various reasons," he points out. "It's very onerous to expect people to be completing these three page electronic things and submitting them if they work across there."

Anderson says they have residents who receive health care, do their shopping and even work south of the border. He notes for many of his residents it is a lot more practical to pick up a small item in the United States than in Canada. For example, a resident of Middlebro can drive 18 kilometres to Warroad or 122 kilometres to Steinbach if needing a part for a quick fix in the home.

Anderson says he has sent an email to Provencher Member of Parliament Ted Falk to see if there can be an easier process for those living in border communities.

"I certainly would like to see things go back to the way they were pre-COVID," says Anderson. "Border guards are perfectly capable of checking your IDs and checking how long you've been out and what you've purchased and so forth and let you go. But this new thing about electronic entry is kind of over the top."

Anderson adds he does not anticipate there will be lineups of Piney residents wanting to cross the border first thing Tuesday, once the restrictions loosen.

Meanwhile, most recent data shows the Rural East district, which includes the RM of Piney has a vaccine uptake of 67.6 per cent.