Akwesasne residents plan to take over abandoned border checkpoint: MCA

Akwesasne residents plan to take over abandoned border checkpoint: MCA
Travel on the new low-level bridge to Cornwall Island may be disrupted this weekend.

By Adam Brazeau
CORNWALL, Ontario – A group led by an Akwesasne man is planning to enter the abandoned border checkpoint on Cornwall Island this Saturday, which could lead to traffic disruptions, says a statement from the tribe.

The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne (MCA) released a statement Thursday suggesting a group of community members plans to “take ownership” of the Canada Border Services Agency’s (CBSA) defunct port of entry building on Cornwall Island (Kawehno:ke) on March 22.

MCA has activated its emergency measures program in response to the plan, and is advising its residents to prepare for possible traffic disruptions.

The MCA said in an article published in the Two Row Times out of Six Nations, Stacey Boots made public claims that suggest he and his group are prepared to enter the facility that used to be home to the Canada Border Services Agency. MCA also indicated Boots made similar claims via Facebook.

MCA said it tried to meet with Boots about his plan, but he cancelled at the last minute.

The Federal Bridge Corporation has a policy to shutter bridge traffic, if there is the possibility of danger to travelling public.

Click here to read the full press release.

Wade Dorland, Seaway International Bridge Corporation (SIBC) interim general manager, said his organization is fully aware of the potential disruption and heaped praise on the MCA and its Emergency Measures Program for keeping them updated.

“Right now the corporation is following the situation,” said Dorland. “We have no plans to shut down the bridge.”

SIBC is waiting for Saturday before they announce a potential closure.

When contacted by Seaway News, Cornwall police Constable Dan Cloutier was unaware of any plans to close the bridge on Saturday.

“If specific delays become known the Cornwall police will forward information to local media outlets for broadcast,” said Cloutier.

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