WestJet says Trudeau’s travel restrictions ‘not based on science and data’

Trudeau placed in effect a new travel advisory, which asks Canadians not to travel unless it is absolutely essential. This was established due to the threat of the new omicron variant.

WestJet said that Trudeau's decision was "not based on science and data and significantly undermines aviation's proven safety record in response to COVID-19."

"Air travel is the most tested and protected consumer activity in Canada, every person travelling internationally is tested on average twice throughout their travel journey," they added.

WestJet is also calling on Trudeau to release the data that caused them to make this decision. Trudeau's travel policy is much more severe than most other countries.

This week, Trudeau's new health minister said that Canada will not help Canadians who go abroad in breach of health regulations.

"Like it or not, we must therefore adjust to this new reality," said Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos. "Once they have left Canada there is very little we can do to help them."

This is a stark contrast to government policy in the early days of the pandemic. In 2020, for instance, the Trudeau government budgeted $100 million to bring Canadians home if they were stuck abroad.

As the new COVID-19 variant spreads, the Trudeau government brought in a new travel advisory that told Canadians not to travel.