Since March 28, Temiscaming Mayor Yves Ouellet and his constituents have rolled with the punches and uncertainty in the aftermath of the Quebec government's decision to restrict provincial crossing points amid the emerging COVID-19 situation.
See original story: Quebec police set up at Ontario-Quebec border in Temiscaming
With news from the federal government the roadblocks will be removed at Abitibi-Témiscamingue Monday, May 11, Ouellet had a chance to reflect over four weeks of upheaval for residents of the border towns in both Ontario and Quebec. Minister of Public Safety Geneviève Guilbault made the border reopening announcement at a press conference, Wednesday.
Ouellet told BayToday that living in a provincial border town presented unique challenges over the past month.
"As an elected official, I would have liked to have known a little sooner," about the border controls. Ouellet says municipal officials only had a few hours to prepare — as did Quebec Provincial Police, he later found out.
"We learned a lot," from this experience, says Ouellet. "Next time — I hope there's not a 'next time' — we will be more prepared. If it happens, we'll be ready."
The Mayor says he knows the small business owners in his town and elsewhere have been affected the most — those who provide what are deemed to be "non-essential" services and were not given a choice about staying open.
"Personal care services, like my barber, had to stay closed. Those are the people who have suffered the most."
Tuesday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau cautioned the easing of restrictions should be seen as the first of many benchmarks.
"Let me be clear. These are not the specific measures when you can go back to work or school, when you can see your neighbours or extended family, or friends. This framework will lay out the things that need to happen before taking any next steps. Restarting our economy will be gradual and careful, and will be guided by science."
Health officials request travel between regions and provinces remains limited even after the reopening dates. Cottage owners and campers who typically cross the border at Temiscaming for recreation will have to be patient and continue to abide by those recommendations as far as the gradual loosening of restrictions.
One aspect of the pandemic Ouellet is taking as a positive is increased handwashing and hygiene. "Now that people are used to doing it, it should just continue as a good habit," he says.
Ouellet explains two key concessions to the border controls his town lobbied for — and were granted — were the passage of Rayonier Advanced Materials employees for work; and the delivery of groceries, medications, and other essentials to residents of Thorne and Eldee in Ontario who typically do their shopping on the Quebec side.
"We were taking care of our friends in Ontario," explains Ouellet with a chuckle. "Most of the people shop here instead of driving 45 minutes to North Bay. We put some pressure on Public Health in Quebec," and although they would not permit crossing from Ontario for shopping, they made a compromise with the phone and online delivery system.
If Rayonier employees who live in Ontario had not been permitted to cross over to work at the plant, Ouellet fears the economic impact could have been devastating to the town. The Temiscaming Rayonier facility was deemed an essential service as it manufactures cellulose specialty products, which are used in food and pharmaceuticals and other industrial applications. It continued to operate at normal levels throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
"It was a big plus for us, it could have been a big hit," says Ouellet.
