Saying ”the borders are broken,” Doug Ford’s calling on Ottawa to do even more to curb the spread of the variants of concern, including the one now ravaging India.

“And it didn’t swim here, I can tell you that,” the premier points out. 

”In fact we learned yesterday that 90% of average daily cases this week are variants of concern. 

The same variants that fueled our devastating third wave and they got in because of weak border measures.”  

The premier wants Ottawa to impose mandatory three-day quarantines in hotels for those entering the country at land crossings.

”The problem is, with the measures in place, because as long as you can fly to Buffalo, take a taxi or limo to the U.S. border and walk across to Canada, to avoid having quarantine in a hotel, as long as these massive loopholes exist we’re not safe from these new variants,” adds Ford.

Ford says if he had the power, he’d close Pearson International immediately and stop land border crossings to only those absolutely essential.

”I would do everything in my power to stop a vaccine resistant variant from getting into our country and bringing a fourth wave with it.”

His comments come as the prime minister maintains there are already tight controls at land borders.

Meanwhile, Justin Trudeau says Ontario’s asked Ottawa to suspend the arrival of international students and that federal officials will reach out to work directly with the province.

No other province has made the same request.