Independent Pet Store in St. Stephen Fears for its Future

There has been a significant increase in cross-border traffic at the St. Stephen-Calais border since Friday now that fully vaccinated travellers no longer need a pre-entry COVID-19 test to cross into Canada.

"The traffic has definitely increased, and it's been very steady," says CBSA executive director Veronic Horne. 

 Some travellers are still arriving at the Canadian border without having used ArriveCAN, which is still a pre-requisite for entry.

"It's still mandatory, but travellers can fill it out at home before they travel," insists Horne.

CBSA and CHCO TV are teaming up to do an in-person workshop on how to use ArriveCan for Charlotte County residents. Email news@chco.tv for more information.

While many locals are excited to resume cross-border travel, many bordertown businesses are bracing themselves for how this will impact local sales. Doug Harper of Harper's Exotic Animals & Pet Supply, which is just mere metres away from the international border, has yet to see a drop in business.

"I've even had American customers coming back over now that it is easier to travel to Canada," says Harper.

Harper was one of many bordertown businesses who saw an increase in sales when the border originally closed, and Harper brought in additional inventory to suit the needs of Canadians who could no longer cross the border for goods.  

With St. Stephen now proving to be a viable market for pet supplies, in part thanks to Harper's ability to pivot during the pandemic, the big chains have seemingly taken notice with Pet Valu planning to open this year in St. Stephen. Harper is hoping locals will continue to support small businesses when offered the choice between an independent store and a corporate chain.

Finally, former St. Croix MLA candidate Rod Cumberland is suing his former employer, the Maritime College of Forest Technology, for wrongful dismissal. Cumberland believes that his stance on the negative effects of spraying the herbicide glyphosate is ultimately what led to him being fired as an instructor, and his lawyer says there's a paper trail of emails to back-up his client's case. Cumberland's court case was scheduled to begin on April 4 but has been postponed to August 22 due to the judge contracting COVID-19.