Lewiston, N.Y. (WBEN) - "Enough is enough."
Rep. Chris Jacobs is joining the growing chorus of those pleading for the reopening of the northern border with Canada.
Jacobs stood along the plaza of the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge Sunday as only light commercial truck traffic passed across the border behind him. The border to Canada has been closed for more than a year due to the COVID pandemic and it's hoped that the closure will be lifted June 22.
Case rates are dropping in Canada, noted Jacobs and he added that New York State recorded the lowest statewide case rate of any state in the nation earlier this week.
"We can open this border safely and develop a binational plan that puts family first and ends the arbitrary restrictions that have been enacted," Jacobs stated.
Each month, the Canadian government has been extending the border closure by one month and the next decision is expected June 21.
"We will not accept just another arbitrary extension with no metric attached, Jacobs said.
Jacobs announced he is seeking a two-pronged approach to discussions leading to the border reopening and wants transparency in the discussions between the two entities and is calling for a reopening beginning June 22.
Marcella Picone has been largely separated from her fiance in Canada since the start of the pandemic and border closure and has become a loud voice in calling for the Canadian government to reopen the border.
"All we want is a plan," Picone said as she stood before the Lewiston crossing.
"Allow us an Americans to enter your country without those restrictions and let us reunite and we can move forward as one."
Jacobs says in addition to separated families, the lengthy border closure has been a challenge to property owners as well as small business owners.
"Our binational region encompasses a population of over 8 million and growing."
