The Bridge Crisis is something that has impacted Cornwall and the area.   It's been the most UnCanadian of incidents.    I think we pride ourselves as Canadians in being the world's peace keepers.

If we can't dialog and negotiate any situation what are we reflecting to areas like Afghanistan and the rest of the world?

Mr. Armstrong's letter sums up the situation perfectly.  It's time for Mr. Van Loan to step up and get this resolved, and do so in a manner that can make all of us proud.

Jamie Gilcig - Editor - The Cornwall Free News

Build our Canadian customs building in the U.S.....our American counterparts will surely assist in everyway possible, or is this just too easy?  We go through U.S. customs in our Canadian international airports when flying into the U.S.  It's a 'win-win' situation for all concerned working with the U.S. and respecting the residents of Akwesasne.    

We all need the bridge issue to be settled this should be number one on all of our minds and working together will be the only way to solve this - the new bridge should be already under construction - where do we stand with this?  Why not a meeting including all of the business owners in Cornwall with all our knowledge we have the solutions..Cornwall will not grow with this over our heads.....

The previous comments, & the President's message reveal a "victim" mentality.  The bridge was closed because of a perceived threat to CBSA personnel & an actual withdrawal by the same CBSA personnel. Why did this come about?  Because after discussion & a fair hearing the powers-that-be in Akwesasne refused to accept the law of the land.  

Since then it seems clear to me that our government (a) acted quite quickly (for the federal government) in opening a temporary (we hope) CBSA station on "safe" territory, & (b) made their intention not to give in to the original demand from Akwesasne residents quite clear.  What the final solution might be is up in the air.  Permanent closure of this border crossing perhaps; maybe a mutually agreed-upon return to the Cornwall Island CBSA premises; a completely new station that avoids territory claimed by the Mohawk people is also possible.

Whatever the future may hold, it seems to me that the reaction to the June situation & the stated intention not to give in to Mohawk demands are clear; why would we need a public meeting to repeat this position?  In addition the reference to MP Lauzon's supposed "silence" on the issue is a smokescreen.  Simply put Lauzon has, on numerous occasions, agreed with Minister Van Loan's position.  You may not like it, but it's not silence.

Folks, you have to learn when & how to draw lines in the sand:  This issue is one of law & order.  If you want the law changed then say so.  Don't whine about not enough being done to resolve the situation.  You already know the answer:  Our neighbours in Akwesasne have to respect the law.  The alternative is to create a law applicable to Akwesasne residents, but not to off-reservation residents.  Is this really what you want?

Michael Togneri

I had considered to implement steps to develop my business across the border, but seeing that the bridge issue is nowhere to be settled, I put my project on hold for now.

Both the President's Message & the post from Mr. Gunn demonstrate a form of victim mentality.  My impression was that after the bridge/border was closed our Government moved quite swiftly (for a federal agency) to re-open the border by opening an admittedly less-than-perfect Customs station at the North End of the bridge.  

This situation was created by the impasse between the CBSA & the Mohawks. What is our government supposed to do now?  Give in to Mohawk demands & change a law that is being applied at other, less sensitive border crossings?  They could order the CBSA employees back to work at the currently abandoned station on Cornwall. Alternatively they could close the crossing permanently.  Of these three options, it appears to me that their measured &, one would hope, temporary solution seems reasonable to me.

I might also add that with regard to the ongoing vehicle impounding controversy, I have known for years that a failure to check in at Canadian Customs upon return from the US will result in a fine of $1,000 & possible impounding of one's vehicle/vessel/aircraft until that fine is paid. I know I am not alone in possessing this knowledge.

As for Mr. Lauzon's involvement & alleged "silence", surely you folks have heard of "Chain of Command"?  Lauzon has repeatedly said that he is staying in contact with Minister Van Loan:  What else do you want him to do?  Publicly challenge his employer, the Government of the day, over an issue that he believes they have read correctly?  Come on!

Unlike Mr. Gunn I cannot support kudos to the Chamber of Commerce.  Instead of behaving like a mature, responsible organization which respects a hitherto unchallenged & non-controversial law, they are, through their President, whining & caviling because Big Brother is not making one of their problems disappear.

Michael Togneri

I will repaet a previous statement I made and that with 5 years of notice this should not be at this stage, and we have created antoher source of entertainment for the world about Cornwall, Let's not fight between us, we all are part of this area, unite and make it heard that this is our town you are destroying. Mr Van Loan and others have passed the buck, and put us front stage again. If we loss this crossing, this city will be nothing but a ghost town. Power to the people is the action of using your votes to be heard, and with so little people voting our votes can count, because we cannot have people in power that do not respect the people on the ballots, fix this, or step down and let someone take the reigns

I agree that procrastination is useless, and that something should happen, very soon

It's absolutely imparative now that Minister Van Loan and MP Lauzon get personally involved in a transparent way by hosting a local meeting - we have a right to know what is being done - the bridge is a hugh life line to our local economy.  Kudo's to the Chamber for its work to date on the bridge issue!