The fourth and most recent extension of the closure of the Canada-U.S. border to non-essential travel has left the small community of Pelee Island in the middle of some heated debate among local and international taxpayers. With over a third of the island land owners residing stateside, most wonder when they’ll ever see the island again.
Yvonne and Eric Horstman from Ohio own a cottage on Pelee Island and fell in love with the island on their honeymoon in 2002. They say what they miss the most is the friends they have made and the escape the island offers.
“Pelee defines our summer. So, naturally we’re saddened and disappointed to not be able to partake in all that Pelee has to offer” shares Yvonne.
Meanwhile, mainland Canada isn’t having much of a debate. According to a recent Ipsos poll, 85% of Canadians agree that the Canada–U.S. land border should stay closed until at least the end of 2020. Respondents indicated that they felt U.S. travel was riskier than overseas travel for the remainder of the year.
Pelee Island has three ports of entry that are currently closed to international traffic. One is at West Dock, one at Scudder Marina and another at the Pelee Island Airport. The Canada Border Services Agency employs three full-time officers who live on the island and are responsible for enforcing the law at the designated ports of entry.
The RCMP is responsible for enforcing the law in between ports of entry, including the waters around Pelee Island. RCMP Media Relations Officer Sergeant Lucie Lapointe confirms that to date there have been no violations issued to Americans around or associated to a Pelee Island port of entry.
“Our patrol rate of Lake Erie remains unchanged from all years passed. It’s part of our area of responsibility and we patrol there as well as up to Sarnia” says Lapointe.
Though the small island community of Pelee is missing their American neighbours, Councillor Dave DeLellis says, “It’s out of our hands, the federal restrictions are what they are. Of course, we miss our American landowners and wish they could come and maintain property and enjoy the island.”
DeLellis acknowledges that historically, Pelee residents have been respectful of one another and their space and he believes that would be the case if Americans were able to enter to maintain property.
The Canada-U.S. border will remain closed until at least August 21, 2020.
—
Cathy + Kevin Miller
Inn Keeps
The Wandering Dog Inn
1060 East West Rd. Pelee Island
www.thewanderingdoginn.com
Nice article Cathy! We miss our Pelee Island friends, but certainly understand the reasons for the continued closure.
Beautiful article! I’m among the American property owners not permitted to enter Pelee to care for my property. I’m hopeful federal And provincial leaders will see that opening the border only to property owners is an ideal first step to easing the border open. I’m quite certain that I speak for all non-Canadian property owners; we would be happy to quarantine in our own cottages and homes, just to be able to maintain them until it is deemed safe to move about.
Thank you for the nice article.
We sure miss you both and Fred in the neighborhood. I hope we can still salvage
some of this year before the snow flies.
Missing our Pelee family!!