Thank you for visiting and submitting your comments via the OpenOurBorder.com website. Since June 22nd, over 5000 visits and over 700 messages have been sent to representatives of the Canadian and US Governments, asking for intervention and a solution to the Cornwall Bridge and Port of Entry Closure.

The Canada Border Services Agency announced that the border crossing will reopen Monday July 13th at 6am from a temporary point at the foot of the North Span of the Seaway International Bridge. This is only a temporary solution while talks are ongoing between the affected parties. We encourage them to keep talking and work towards a permanent solution..

Statement by the Canada Border Services Agency on the situation in Cornwall

Ottawa, Ontario, July 12, 2009 — 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.”

For media information:

Media Relations
Canada Border Services Agency
613-957-6500

Who to contact...

in Canada:

Stephen Harper
Prime Minister of Canada

Parliament Hill Office
Fax: 613-941-6900

Peter Van Loan
Minister of Public Safety

Parliament Hill Office
Tele: 613-996-7752
Fax: 613-992-8351

Guy Lauzon
Member of Parliament, Stormont, Dundas & South Glengarry

Parliament Hill Office
Tele: 613-992-2521
Fax: 613-996-2119

in the United States:

Secretary Hillary Clinton
State Department

Tele: 202-647-4000

Secretary Janet Napolitano
Department of Homeland Security

Tele: 202-282-8495

Senator Charles Schumer
US Senator for New York State

Tele: 202-224-6542
Fax: 202-228-3027

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand
US Senator for New York State

Tele: 212-688-6262
Fax: 212-688-7444