American COVID critic given exemption to visit Milton plant
Published September 17, 2020 at 2:17 pm
A high-profile American businesswoman who has actively campaigned against COVID-19 restrictions, was allowed to bypass Canada’s quarantine procedures when she visite
A high-profile American businesswoman who has actively campaigned against COVID-19 restrictions, was allowed to bypass Canada’s quarantine procedures when she visited her Milton operations last month.
The CBC reports Liz Uihlein, CEO and president of Milwaukee, Wisconsin-based Uline Inc., visited her company’s warehouse on James Snow Pkwy N. under a special federal entry exemption and did not have to quarantine for 14 days. The company is a major retailer of shipping and packing supplies.
Uihlein and two other company executives were allowed in under an order-in-council that can only be issued through high-ranking officials in Ottawa.
CBC News learned that Halton Regional Police were called to the Milton location on Aug. 26 following complaints that American visitors were not wearing masks when they were at the site. Halton bylaws say masks in businesses only apply where the public comes in contact with employees.
A Uline spokesperson confirmed that police met with Uihlein, according to the CBC, saying that no action was taken and that all health rules were followed during the course of her trip and all were in compliance with immigration laws and had received the proper exemptions.
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One of the largest financial supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump, Uihlein has been outspoken in her criticism of the American response to the pandemic, the CBC reports, complaining the media is “overblowing COVID-19” and that government-mandated shutdowns have been costly and disruptive for business.
The federal government has classified a number of jobs as essential during the pandemic and has a blanket exemption for these positions such as truck drivers and healthcare professionals. A “national interest” exemption is the only other way to gain official entry and they have been issued to professional hockey players who played in playoff bubbles in Toronto and Edmonton.
A company photo of Liz Uihlein
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