Cornwall port of entry open ... for now

Canada Border Services Agency
News Release

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OTTAWA - The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA)today made the following statement concerning the situation at the port of entry in Cornwall:

"Since closing the port of entry on Cornwall Island on May 31, 2009, the CBSA has met several times with the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne and with other key stakeholders to discuss the feasibility of reopening the port of entry at Cornwall Island.

While discussions are ongoing, the CBSA will open a temporary facility that will be stationed at the base of the north span of the bridge in the City of Cornwall, effective 6:00 a.m. on July 13, 2009.

The CBSA also continues to explore all options concerning the long-term viability of the Cornwall port of entry.

At this time the existing CBSA facility on Cornwall Island remains closed. The CBSA will only reopen its facility when border services officers can work there safely with all of the tools they need to do their job, including their duty firearm. The CBSA is committed to continuing talks with the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne in order to resolve the situation.

The CBSA is dedicated to upholding its mandate of ensuring the secure and free flow of travel and trade across the border, and it will continue to work toward a permanent solution at Cornwall Island that fulfills all of its obligations."

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