End of construction holidays: only ten minutes of waiting at the Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle border crossing

The strained relationship between the Canadian and American governments has prompted many Quebecers to change their vacation plans. By midday Sunday, waits at land customs in Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle were reported to be only about ten minutes.

TVA Nouvelles went to the Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle border crossing on Sunday to meet with Quebecers returning from vacation in the United States.

In the morning, cars waited only a few minutes to clear customs.

Several Quebecers testified that they had noticed no difference in their interactions with Americans and had generally felt well received.

"There was really no difference from previous years," one driver said.

"I find them [the Americans] quite courteous, no problem there," said another.

"We've been going there for several years, they're [welcoming]," said another Quebec tourist at the border crossing upon returning from vacation. "We're well received."

Increase in local tourism

Certain regions of Quebec have been able to benefit from a resurgence in tourism.

In Charlevoix and on the North Shore, there has been an increase in Quebec tourists and a diversification of the clientele, including English-speaking Canadians and Ontarians.

"We have more Quebecers visiting us this year," confirmed Joannie Francoeur-Côté, executive director of Tourisme Côte-Nord. "We have a lot of Quebecers who are on their second, third, or fourth visit and who are traveling further into the region."

"Already in May, we had occupancy rates that were 6.8 points higher," said Mitchell Dion, general director of Tourisme Charlevoix.

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