Temiscaming residents were shocked to see the transformation of the Quebec-Ontario border as Quebec and Ontario Provincial Police have set up checkpoints on Highway 63 as part of the interprovincial travel regulations that came into effect today.
One local Temiscaming resident felt the new measures make it look like an "international border."
Travel to the area at the Temiscaming, Quebec border was limited last March when the Quebec Provincial Police set up checkpoints at Highway 63 in Temiscaming and further North at Notre-Dame-du-nord.
The Ontario Provincial Police sent out a news release to outline who can and cannot travel between provinces.
"The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) wants to assure the public that essential travel between Ontario and neighbouring provinces will be permitted, despite new measures designed to help limit the transmission of the COVID-19 virus," the release stated.
"The OPP will have members located on roadways, at interprovincial points of entry, to screen incoming vehicles beginning Monday, April 19, 2021 at 12:01 a.m.
"All vehicles will be required to slow down as they approach the checkpoints. Commercial vehicles, such as transport trucks, will be permitted to pass. Ontario-plated passenger vehicles will be required to enter the checkpoint but will be allowed to proceed. Officers will be screening incoming passenger vehicles with out-of-province plates to determine the reason for entering Ontario."
Permitted reasons include, but are not limited to:
- Live/work in Ontario
- Health care matters
- Indigenous Treaty Rights
- Child care or custody matters
- Transportation of goods
- Those travelling through Ontario to another location
For specifics of the vehicle border screening legislation (O. Reg. 293/21), visit https://www.ontario.ca/laws/
