Coho ferry returns to Victoria as U.S. border reopens
The Coho ferry made a triumphant return Monday morning, arriving in Victoria from Port Angeles, Wash., to a regal welcome that included an escort from a fire boat to celebrate its first trip in nearly 20 months.
With the United States opening its land and sea borders Monday to fully vaccinated Canadians for non-essential travel, trips south on the Coho were full of snowbirds who’ve waited anxiously for nearly two years for some winter fun in the sun.
The first seven Coho sailings from Victoria to Port Angeles were already booked last week, many of the vehicles headed for California, Arizona or Mexico.
The Canadian border has been open to Americans for non essential travel since August, but the requirement of a PCR covid test for those entering Canada has proven a costly deterrent for many — and the Coho was much less full when arriving in Victoria than it was when leaving the city headed south.
Ryan Burles is the CEO of the Black Ball Ferry Line, which operates the Coho. He said Monday he was excited to see the ferry back in service and was grateful for the outpouring of support for the service.
“Same-day travel is dead, and frankly even one night stays are pretty close to dead too. It isn’t just the cost, it’s the logistics,” said Burles, who noted the ferries from Port Angeles were only about 15 per cent full.
The local tourism industry is campaigning to see the requirement of a PCR test replaced by the cheaper, faster antigen test or scrapped altogether.
“Having the very invasive and expensive PCR test is a real deterrent to travel to and from Canada,” said Paul Nursey with Destination Greater Victoria.
The federal government indicated last Friday it’s re-examining the PCR test requirement, but until it’s removed, short border trips north will be relatively slow.
But just a few hours into the American border’s reopening, longer journeys by Canadians south were already popular.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.