Progressive Conservative MLA's representing areas along the Manitoba-U.S. border, have sent a letter urging Premier Wab Kinew to take immediate action against federal cuts that will reduce operating hours at a dozen ports of entry in southern Manitoba in the new year. Borderland's Josh Guenter, Turtle Mountain's Doyle Piwniuk and La Verendrye's Konrad Narth signed the letter.
Canada Border Services announced in November it would be adjusting hours at 12 crossings in Manitoba from Cartwright to Piney beginning January 6th.
The trio of MLAs stated in the letter the proposed cuts threaten the economic and social fabric of Manitoba border communities, in addition to the increased safety and criminal risks that come from the cuts.
“Border security is already an issue in southern Manitoba, and these cuts will make it worse,” said Guenter in a news release. “We need stronger security measures at the border to stop human traffickers, illegal migrants, and drug smugglers. Our communities deserve to be safe.”
The MLAs say these proposed cuts coincide with what they've described as "alarming increases in illegal border activity."
“We all know criminals don’t just operate from 9 to 5,” said Piwniuk in the same release. “So why isn’t the premier fighting to keep these border crossings open in the evening to deter illegal activity and ensure vital cross-border access and services are maintained for communities near the border?”
In an email statement to us, a provincial spokesperson indicated the NDP government continues to urge the federal government to listen to Manitobans who use these crossings to access essential services, sell their goods south and families who will be separated from one another.
"With an incoming Trump administration, a secure border is more important than ever, which is why the NDP has taken the lead over the last few months to organize a plan by enlisting the help of conservation officers and motor carrier enforcement officers in developing a plan to patrol the border, in addition to asking the federal government to redeploy RCMP officers," concluded the statement.