B.C. snowbirds frustrated over another U.S. land border closure extension

Canadian snowbirds will have to wait at least another month before they can drive across the border to the U.S.

On Sept. 20, U.S. President Joe Biden announced that land borders will remain closed to non-essential visitors, until at least October 21. Though the closure has been ongoing for 18 months — since March 2020 — the ban doesn't apply to air travel.

"Absolute frustration is what it is. The biggest problem for snowbirds is not understanding why you can fly but you can't drive," said 73-year-old Wendy Caban.  For more than a decade, Caban and her husband, Geoff have driven to their property in Mesa, Arizona, for the winter. The retired couple usually stays in the U.S. for six months. 

Caban said although they were not able to travel to Arizona last year due to the pandemic, they are still paying mobile home park fees.

"It works out to be about $12,000 Cdn that was wasted last year," said Caban. "A lot of people sold their places down there, because they weren't willing to suck up the park fees again this year." 

In addition to worrying about their property, Caban said, they also have to figure out how they will get their U.S. vehicle back to Arizona.

"We drove it to B.C. at the beginning of the pandemic. It's been sitting in our garage ever since," said Caban.