Letters to the Editor

Border disruptions affect us all

Rick Comerford, The Windsor Star

Re: Border walkout was justified, Feb. 22, letter by Jason McMichael

Like Mr. McMichael, the CBSA is proud of the vital work that our Border Services officers carry out on a daily basis across Canada. This work creates the conditions for a safe and secure country, in addition to facilitating its economic prosperity. Our employees are provided with the appropriate tools, training and standards to safely carry out our mission.

Border disruptions affect not only our travelling public, but also our industry partners who are fuelling Canada's economy, and we take these disruptions very seriously. The Ambassador Bridge has one of the highest volumes of travellers entering Canada and the highest volume of commercial shipments. In 2010-11, 5.8 million travellers entered Canada at this port of entry, with over 1.3 million commercial trucks last year alone. This is a critical port of entry that requires us to do everything possible to avoid unnecessary interruptions.

Our officers are highly professional, and we respect their right to refuse work under the Canada Labour Code if they have reasonable cause to believe that work activity constitutes a danger to themselves or another person. In the two work refusals in the Windsor area on Jan. 20, 2012, and Feb. 1, 2012, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada Labour Programs investigated and rendered a no danger ruling/opinion.

The CBSA is committed to working to ensure Canada's security and prosperity by managing the access of people and goods to and from Canada. In order to do this effectively, we need to work together to keep our borders operating.

Unnecessary disruptions need to be avoided, as they have a direct impact on the public we serve.

RICK COMERFORD, regional director general, southern Ontario region, Canada Border Services Agency ILLUS: Jason Kryk, The Windsor Star / The CBSA is committed to working to ensure Canada's security and prosperity by managing the access of people and goods to and from the country, writes reader Rick Comerford, southern Ontario regional director general for the Canada Border Services Agency.