Opinion

GOVERNMENT ALBAS: Changes at the border

Starting on July 5th, restrictions were slightly eased when crossing the border into Canada. Unfortunately this has led to some misun- DAN ALBAS derstanding in VIEW FROM certain circum- THE HILL stances.

For example, while some restrictions have been eased, the requirement for U.S. and other citizens coming to Canada for only essential reasons has not been relaxed or otherwise changed.

U.S. and other non-Canadian citizens coming to Canada for non-essential reasons will still be turned away at the border.

This means that any potential tourists coming to vacation in Canada continues to be prohibited.

So what has changed?

The most significant change is that for Canadian citizens eligible for entry, there is now a process to potentially not be subject to mandatory 14 day quarantine, including the mandatory hotel stopover for air travel where applicable.

The conditions to bypass the quarantine include proof of your vaccination, you must also provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test that has been taken within 72 hours of your entry into Canada.

Proof of vaccination can be provided online via the ArriveCANweb portal or through the ArriveCAN app that can be found on both the Google Play Store and the App Store for iPhone.

For travellers who are not fully vaccinated, there are no changes to the existing restrictions and quarantine requirements.

Now that there is a Government of Canada app to provide proof of vaccination, how do you feel about that?

I can be reached at Dan.Albas@parl. gc.ca or call toll free 1-800-665-8711.

VIEWPOINT

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OPINION

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LETTERS to the editor An act of kindness

Editor,

A very special thing happened to us on our way home. It was super hot and the air conditioner wasn’t working in the motor home. I put a wet towel on our dog to keep him cool. We decided to stop at Merritt and see if we could get it fixed.

We got a name and phone number of a radiator shop. I phoned and explained our situation. He said come right over and we’ll fit you in. As we talked we told him we were evacuated from Deka Lake. He phoned all over for a kit but was unable to find one.

They decided to replace the whole unit. We were worried about the cost as they had three and four fellows working on it for over two hours so we could get on our way.

After all was finished and the cold air came pouring out (to our immense pleasure). We went to pay him. He just said you’re on your way, no charge. We were both in tears and couldn’t thank him enough.

This Good Samaritan was Nicola Valley Radiators, Yves and Koren Lefebvre .

We can’t express how grateful we are.Thank you so much. Such an amazing act of kindness.

Rose and Robert Magnusson

A helping hand when needed

Editor,

Last week my wife and I were staying at Claybanks Rv Campground. Needing supplies, we walked to the Pharmasave Drug Store, only to discover we had foolishly left our face masks behind. In the heat of the day we were dreading the walk back. Taking a chance we approached a young lady and asked if she would enter the store and purchase masks for us. She promptly and courteously obliged our request saving us a 40 minute walking round trip. Thank you, Belinda.

Canning jars wanted for the displaced

Editor,

Mary Agnus is calling out for donations of canning jars to help displaced evacuees. She, along with possible volunteers at her home, will be canning “any fruit or vegetable possible.” If you have canning jars to donate, please call Mary at 250-6822907.

Jim and Susan Elder Mary Agnus

Stopping the spread of invasive plants

From the Herald archives: July, 1955

WORK DONE AT NICOLA LAKE OVER WEEKEND

Catherine Tarasoff/Submitted

Catherine Tarasoff is the Education and Outreach Coordinator for the Thompson Nicola Invasive Plant Management Committee (on Facebook @TNIPMC).

Warmer weather and longer days likely means that you are heading outdoors to hike, bike, fish, and explore the back country. Did you know recreational activities can be inadvertent vectors of invasive plant spread? If you are planning on hopping in your boat, on your bike, horse, motorized vehicle, or are merely going for a hike, please follow these simple actions to prevent invasive plant spread in our beautiful outdoor areas:

COME CLEAN by removing plants and mud from your footwear, gear and pets before exploring. It is important to prevent the spread of invasive species from your property to natural areas. This is particularly true if you have a garden at home or invasive plant infested pasture; seeds may be lodged in your boots or your pet’s fur. To remove plant burrs from pet fur, apply a little bit of coconut oil to the burr, pinch the burr until it breaks up, and then comb it out.

STAY on designated trails to reduce the chance of picking up seeds and mud that carry invasive plants. Staying on trails also helps keep our native plant communities and ecosystems healthy and strong, enabling them to resist invasive plants. When you go off trail, the resulting ground disturbance provides prime habitat for invasive plants, who are likely to establish, and out-compete our native plants.

DON’T PICK wildflowers. Picking wildflowers can result in two outcomes: 1. the spread of invasive species, and/or 2. the weakening native plant communities’ seed source. The best adventures are ones that leave only footprints. If you spot an eye-catching plant, take a photo.

BRING IN CLEAN RESOURCES such as weed free hay for your horses and locally sourced firewood for your camp. All firewood should be sourced from no further than 20 km to prevent the spread of invasive insects, such as emerald ash borer. This forest pest can naturally disperse about 10 km per year; but, with the help of humans it can travel 90 km per hour!

LEAVE CLEAN- remove plant and muds from your footwear, gear and pets after exploring. If you are on the water, practice Clean-Drain-Dry (https://stopaquatichitchhikers.org) to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species. Be sure to dispose of unwanted bait in the garbage.

There was a good turnout of members of the Nicola Valley Rod and Gun Club on Sunday at Nicola Lake, and a good job was made of putting in cattle guards on the Nicola Lake Road to Armstrong’s Beach. A Cat loaned by the Nicola Lake Stock Farms and driven by H. Saunders helped considerably. Two gates were eliminated on the road through the Nicola Lake Stock Farms property and cattle guards were built.

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