The U.S. ambassador to Canada is withdrawing travel advice from Ottawa, saying his country has not searched for phone calls at the border and argued that some Americans traveling to Canada have had a tough time.
“We welcome Canadians to come in and invest and spend their hard-earned Canadian dollars on businesses in the U.S.,” U.S. ambassador Pete Hoekstra told Canadian media in an interview on Friday.
“If Canadians experience a disappointing experience in entering the United States, I wouldn’t deny that it happened, but I said it was an isolated event, and it was not a pattern.”
In April, Ottawa updated its advice to Canadians heading to the U.S. to warn them about the possibility that they could be detained if they refuse to enter.
“Entering ports including electronic devices are expected to enter, including electronic devices,” the new guide reads.
Canadians are reported to face constant scrutiny at the border, searching telephones and in some cases detained.
Canadians have traveled less to the United States over concerns about the Trump administration’s tough new security measures, including the growing possibility of detention. Statistics Canada said air travel fell 13% and land travel fell nearly one-third.
Hoekstra insists that concerns about device search are not actually fundamental.
“Come to the United States, it's a decision made by Canadians. Searching for devices, all of this is not a full fear. We don't do that. America is a place of enthusiasm.”
Americans are still on the border review: Hoekstra
He said some Americans expressed similar concerns about Canada.
He said: “I also heard that from Americans, too, come into Canada, OK? Say, 'You know, when we entered Canadian customs, we didn't get a warm reception.'
Asked if these reports from U.S. travelers involved arbitrary telephone searches and lengthy detentions, Hoekstra said there were consulates complaining to the embassy about the Canadian Border Services (CBSA).
He said: “We've said, 'Well, it could be an isolated incident. There could be a guy on the Canadian border who is having a bad time and thinks they're going to bring it out, you know, there's someone on the border.”
The CBSA said in a statement that its officials adhered to the Code of Conduct and the Federal Ethics Act, both requiring them to treat everyone equally and investigate any complaints of abuse.
“Employees are expected to act in a way that always maintains values of integrity, respect and professionalism,” wrote spokesman Karine Martel.
“Treat people with respect, dignity and fairness is crucial to our border service officials’ relationship with the public, and one key part of this is serving all travelers in a non-discriminatory way.”
Hoekstra said travel to the United States is up to the individual.
“If you think you won't come down or anything, it's your decision and you missed the opportunity. There's a lot to see in the United States,” Hoekstra said.
He also pointed to the case of CNN reporter Christiane Amanpour, who recently said she was preparing to visit the United States last month as if she was “going to North Korea” (with a “burner phone”) but without any personal information – just to get a warm welcome.
“It’s like, [let’s] Get rid of the words and let’s see the real experiences people have here. ” Hoekstra said.
Airline has been cutting flights between Canada and the United States due to a sluggish demand, while the Canadian Flight Centre Travel Group reported that flights between the two countries fell by nearly 40% in February.
A survey conducted by Leger Marketing for the Canadian Research Association (Leger Marketing) found that 52% of respondents believed that “it is no longer safe for all Canadians traveling to the United States,” 29% disagree, while 19% said they were unsure. A roughly the same proportion says they personally feel unpopular in the United States
2SLGBTQ+ groups chose to oppose World Pride events in Washington, New York and the United Nations, and were reviewed at the border as the Trump administration backed off protections for trans and non-binary people.
