Buffalo, NY (WBEN) - It's just another lingering impact of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic; access to Canada and properties owned by US citizens. US owners of Canadian cottages have been out of luck this summer because of coronavirus restrictions that block nonessential travel across the border.
One local congressman is looking to change that.
"A colleague of mine, Elise Stefanik, and I are working every day to push US and Canadian officials to expand essential travel to those who own property in Canada," says Congressman Brian Higgins. "They should be able to visit their cottages and all the things they've been expected to do, social distancing...and they have, and those will keep people protected when going to visit their cottage." Higgins calls spending summer time across the border along the lake is a Buffalo tradition.
Higgins says constituents are worried about security. "They're obviously concerned about the condition of their property, potential break-ins, which underscores the reasonableness of the request," notes Higgins.
Security is a concern for mayors in two Canadian communities. "I know the mayors of Fort Erie, Port Colbourne and Wainfleet have their eye on that along with Ontario Regional Police to make sure all the areas are secured," said Niagara Falls, ON mayor Jim Diodati. Diodati says a couple of months ago, people suggesting shutting down the roads in Niagara Falls. "If you shut down the roads, people can't get to their houses, you can't close the parking lots because people will park on the roads and that will cause a problem. If you close the bathrooms, we tried that and people did what they had to do in the parking lots. You can't adjust the wind, you can only adjust the sails, and that's what we're doing right now," explains Diodati.
Fort Erie Mayor Wayne Redekop says many US cottage owners do have help enlisted. "Many of them who assist in maintaining their property, especially in the winter when no one's there, in the spring when they're opening up or the fall when they're closing. They have resorted to hiring local contractors to do that," says Redekop, who adds police are doing usual patrols, and notes there are no significant issues.
Redekop says things have been quieter because fewer seasonal residents are there. "We have a large number of American friends and neighbors who come here each summer, and their not being here is a huge impact on our community," notes Redekop. "Restaurants, bars and attractions aren't being visited by Americans because they can't cross the border. That puts all of them in dire financial circumstnaces. Our federal government has stepped with financial assistance for everyone, but that can only go so far and only lasts so long."
It's also frustrating in Niagara Falls, Ontario, but Diodati said it's short term pain for long term gain.
"We're trying to get a handle on this COVID. Our tourism industry has been decimated, families have been separated, people can't get to their cottages. People are losing lives and livelihoods and no one's happy about it."
Diodati said that tourism is now open in his city for Canadians.