21,000 cars came through northern Ontario-Quebec border crossings, 5 charged during stay-home order

Some 21,000 cars came through the four border crossings set up between northern Ontario and Quebec this spring, but the bill for guarding the border has yet to be tallied.

Ontario Provincial Policewere stationed at theborder for about two months during the stay-at-home order aimed at stopping the spread of COVID-19.

That included checkpoints on Highway 101 east of Matheson, Highway 66 near Virginiatown, Highway 65 nearNew Liskeard and on Highway 63 on the dam over the Ottawa River between the town of Temiscaming, Que.,and the small village of Thorne, Ont.

OPP say 21,637 cars and trucks crossed the border at those four points between April 19 and June 13, for an average of 390 vehicles per day.

They say 286 vehicles weren't allowed to enter Ontarioand five people were charged with violating the stay-at-home order.

The Ontario government says it still has to add up the cost ofguarding the border crossings round the clock for two months.