Front and centre with respect to my message is the ongoing issue of our international crossing. The Chamber has been actively involved since the disruptions first began.
 
The Chamber hosted a meeting with more than 120 local business professionals to listen to and question the Mayor, the former Grand Chief Thompson and MP Guy Lauzon. The business audience made it clear to each of the officials the seriousness of the issue and the impact it was having on local commerce. During the closure, the Chamber also met with the Liberal Opposition Safety Ministry critic who lobbied the Public Safety Minister and assisted in arranging similar meetings with the Mohawk Council. The Chamber also met, individually with MP Lauzon, and both the Liberal and NDP Public Safety critics. Request for a similar meeting with Minister Van Loan were  refused.
 
The most recent closing of the crossing again caused confusion and frustration on both sides of the border. The Chamber expressed its disappointment following reports that Grand Chief Mike Mitchell had urged the Akwesasne community to stop going to Cornwall.  Following a conversation for clarity,   Grand Chief Mike Mitchell issued a clarification that the request was focused on only a few specific sectors such as transportation, health care and services, who had been experiencing challenges at the temporary customs location.
 
The Chamber is becoming increasingly frustrated by the government's lack of response to the issue. The Minister of Public Safety appears to have abdicated his responsibility by turning that matter over to an agency and refusing to get involved. Moreover, our own MP continues to remain silent.
 
The issue is serious, the temporary Customs plaza and toll booth is not a solution and a permanent one is nowhere to be seen. The continuing delays and uncertainties are unquestionably having an economic impact on both sides of the border, including statistics this week showing a 30% reduction in traffic through the crossing.
 
It is time the government becomes directly involved in the matter. It is time for Minister Van Loan to take an active role, to visit the community and to learn, first hand, the impact the issue is having and that includes an on-site look at the bottleneck created by the temporary Customs plaza.
 
The economic stakes and well being of our community are too important to allow the issue to go on, unchallenged. We will, as your voice, continue to take whatever measures necessary to create a greater sense of urgency among all stakeholders to have this issue resolved.