Fernie, B.C. (Tourism Fernie)

By Jeff Johnson / David Opinko

East Kootenay MLA concerned Alberta travel restrictions could have impact on southeastern B.C.

Jun 26, 2020 | 1:00 PM

CRANBROOK, B.C. – An MLA in southeastern B.C. is concerned that recommended travel restrictions with Alberta could have a big impact on the region over the summer.

This follows B.C. Premier John Horgan’s announcement Wednesday that the province is ready to gradually step into phase three of its four-phased COVID-19 restart plan.

Horgan encouraged residents to travel within the province to support the tourism sector but made no mention of travel into Alberta.

MLA Tom Shypitka questioned Horgan’s plans for travel, wondering where that leaves East Kootenay residents with concerns around the provincial Border.

“We`re super highly tied to that Alberta traffic. We have some economic health that’s at stake here,” Shypitka says. “Our friends, our neighbours, the people that we live with, and the people that we grow up with and socialize with have an enormous investment in tourism in the East Kootenay and that’s in jeopardy right now.”

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Shypitka represents residents in communities such as Cranbrook, Fernie, and Sparwood.

He says the region’s economy is highly tied to Albertan traffic.

“If we are only relying on B.C. travellers, I would dare say we’re going to see 50 percent of those small Ma and Pa shops close down in the next couple of months,” Shypitka says. “This is their high season and this is the time they need to make some dough.”

Currently, there are no travel bans in place between provinces, but both the Province of B.C. and the Government of Alberta do not recommend non-essential travel outside of their respective provinces.

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