Kelly Elder
Triangle News
Big Beaver and area residents who are looking to get home from the United States of America will have to look for a different route after April 1, 2011.
On June 28, 2010, The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) made the decision to close what they call the “under-used” Big Beaver Port of entry.
Sabrina Mehes, Communications Office, Media Relations, CBSA said, “Throughout 2009, the CBSA underwent a strategic review to ensure that its programs were as effective and efficient as possible, that they responded to the priorities of Canadians, and that they were in line with core federal responsibilities and government priorities.
“As is standard procedure, the CBSA routinely verifies that operational requirements are maintained to ensure facilitated entry of legitimate goods and services and ensure that inadmissible goods and/or people are not allowed into Canada. The decision to close or alter service at some ports was determined through detailed regional input from local CBSA representatives with an intimate knowledge of local demographics. Each decision was primarily based on an assessment of the community’s use of the POE.
Careful consideration was given to CBSA’s ability to provide continued services - each site was assessed for traffic volume, type of traffic, closest alternative port of entry, and closest 24/7 port of entry.
Not only were Canadian communities considered the proximity of U.S. communities and services were also considered.
The Big Beaver POE sees an average of 5 travellers a day and no commercial vehicles. Coronach, which is scheduled for upgrading and is the next closest POE, has the same hours of service as Big Beaver and is only 28 km away. There is also a 24/7 Port of Entry 55 km away (Regway).
When asked, “How will this affect the U.S side? Especially since they are upgrading their facility?” the same answer was given to the question previously answered.
The CBSA maintains that there will be no job loss with the closure of the port. “There is no intention to close or reduce hours at any of the other ports in the district. The CBSA does not anticipate any job losses to result from these changes. The elimination of some positions is expected to be offset by attrition and the normal movement of employees within the Public Service.”
Triangle News asked, “can you please answer the fate of those who clean the port and take care of the grounds?” (These positions are contract positions).
“As mentioned, there is no intention to close or reduce hours at any of the other ports in the district. The CBSA does not anticipate any job losses to result from these changes. The elimination of some positions is expected to be offset by attrition and the normal movement of employees within the Public Service.
Reports have been in the media in communities south of the border for many weeks. When asked the reasons that the U.S. media were aware of the situation but not the Canadian media, the same answer as was given to their first question was once again given.
Mehes then added, “On June 28, 2010 the Agency completed its action plans and began the process of informing its employees and various stakeholders of the resulting reallocations.
Ron Aust, who owns Aust’s Store in Big Beaver, believes the closure of the port will have far-reaching effects.
“I’m sure it’s going to affect anyone that lives within 50 miles of this border one way or another. I think it’s going to affect the people straight south of the border (the most).”
Those American residents that live just south of the Big Beaver Port who would normally travel to Bengough, Ogema and Avonlea for supplies and parts will now be forced to travel to the port of Regway to get to those locations.
Aust is hoping that with some campaigning, the government will reconsider their decision. “I would encourage anyone to write our MLA in regards to the closure of our Big Beaver port and ask them to reconsider (the closure).
