According to reports, Canada and the United States are negotiating to close several small border crossings and merge others due to a new perimeter security deal.
A leaked report revealed details of 20 “small ports of entry” located at rural or small-town crossings from St. Stephen, N.B. to Chopaka, B.C., and includes one at Midway.
The crossings will be examined and their futures will be then determined.
“We’re not all that thrilled about it,” said Jim Madder, Chief Administrative Officer for the Village of Midway.
“We’re definitely trying to contact some people to see what’s going on.”
Madder stated he was unaware of the potential closure until someone sent him the link.
“We’re trying to see how much merit there is to the report,” Madder concluded.
Mike Patton, Director of Communications for the Ministry of Public Safety stated that no decisions have been made in regards to the report.
“Our government is focused on ensuring our shared border is secure while easing the flow of legitimate travel and trade,” Patton said.
“We are investing in border infrastructure to support this objective, including new lanes at the busiest crossings.”
Four options were discussed in the report, ranging from shared facilities, mirroring working hours, “remote-technology solution” and fully closing the port.
Mirroring hours is when the Canada and U.S. ports have the same opening and closing hours.
Sharing facilities and mirroring hours are already in place in several locations, but the proposal of a remote solution, where travellers will speak to border guards through a camera, has raised questions.
There was no mention of an unmanned border post in the report
There are currently 52 land crossings covered by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
On Apr. 1, 2011, three small ports were closed: Jamieson’s Line and Franklin Centre in Quebec, and Big Beaver in Saskatchewan.