ArriveCAN App Needs to Depart

WHITEHORSE – The Yukon Party Official Opposition is calling for the Federal government to discontinue the use of the ineffective ArriveCAN app. We encourage the territorial Liberals to join our call to end the program.

The Yukon Party has heard from many Yukoners and the tourism industry about how they have seen a decrease in visitation from our Alaskan neighbours, and some tourism businesses have seen visitation numbers far below pre-pandemic levels. The app is often cited as the key deterrent for visitors crossing the border. ArriveCAN is a poor tool for the territory due to the cumbersome process, as well as the requirement to use it ahead of arrival because of unreliable cell service at the Yukon’s border crossings. In addition, seniors, some of whom are without a smartphone, find the app too onerous to complete. 

“With the Little Gold-Poker Creek border crossing now closed for the season, earlier than normal for Yukon’s tourism season, it is time to start preparing for next summer,” said Tourism Critic Geraldine Van Bibber. “Operators, especially in the Klondike say besides the early closure, there has been a notable decrease in American travelers thanks to the cumbersome ArriveCAN app. Unlike previous years, no American teams participated in the Labour Day softball tournament in Dawson City, while only a few teams from the U.S. took the field in Whitehorse for Dustball.” 

This is why tourism businesses across the territory started voicing their concern about ArriveCAN during the spring. The White Pass and Yukon Route Railway directly cited potential delays due to the app and verification of hundreds of people at a time, for cancelling their excursions to Carcross for the season.  

The Yukon Party Official Opposition is encouraging the federal government to scrap the ArriveCAN app now, so tourism operators can plan for a full complement of American travelers during the 2023 season. 

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Contact:
Tim Kucharuk
Media Director
(867) 689-7874