After U.S. Customs and Border Protection was granted a temporary exemption allowing armed officers to move through Canadian waters, the leader of the First Nation whose territory abuts the Canada-U.S. border in the St. Lawrence River has served notice that they are “taking back” the waters.
We’re not going to be asking permission,” Mohawk Council of Akwesasne (MCA) Grand Chief Leonard Lazore told National Post in an interview, noting work was underway to establish an internal framework and invest in thetechnology for the local police to protect the waters in partnership with the other Canadian and U.S. authorities.
In an email to National Post, a Public Safety Canada spokesperson said the temporary ministerial Firearms Act Exemption Order issued on Sept. 16 “will support the safe and effective management of a geographically and jurisdictionally complex border area while maintaining Canada’s commitment to strong border security and public safety.” They stressed that it does not authorize the U.S. officers to act as law enforcement in Canadian waters.
Be the first to comment