Ottawa will consider alternatives for Stanstead border signs

ACanada Border Services Agency (CBSA) representative met with Stanstead Mayor Philippe Dutil yesterday to discuss the newly posted border signage blocking Church Street.

Two weeks ago, the large signs were installed without any consultation with the municipality. Immediately after they were put up locals voiced complaints,

Instead of collecting candy on Halloween night, Phelps’ participants and local members of youth soccer and hockey programs took the opportunity to knock on people’s doors to ask for non-perishable food donations. The food was collected on behalf of the PACE C.A.B. Rediker, the volunteer centre in Stanstead. We had dozens of volunteers help with this initiative: teenagers hit the streets collecting the food donations from the homes and adult volunteers – calling them ‘large and unsightly’ and also pointing out that Church Street is a secondary route for mutual aid fire emergency calls.

According to Dutil, the CBSA rep took pictures of the signs, and the two discussed the possibility of putting two smaller signs, mounted one above the other, on an adjacent patch of grass rather than completely blocking Church Street. as well as the local fire department – drove around to pick up the heavy bags of food. The community came together as a whole to restock the C.A.B.’S pantry, which supplies food for the emergency food bank program and the Christmas Basket Campaign. Thank you to everyone who participated and we hope that this might inspire other communities to do something similar next Halloween.

Phelps Aide Phelps Helps is an educational non-profit striving to reduce the elevated drop-out rate in the Stanstead area. Phelps was started in 2012 by two

Dutil said the CBSA rep will make recommendations, but ultimately the decision lies with Ottawa.

No timeline was given as to when a decision would be made, Dutil said.

“We’re trying to do this the friendly way,” commented Dutil.

“One of them is almost eight feet wide,” he said, adding that regardless of how big it is, a sign is not likely to deter illegal border crossing. community members, and has grown from a single program to SEVEN unique programs, providing Stanstead area students with free tutoring, educational and career support and hands-on learning from grade 3 to the end of high school and further.

Phelps’ high school sessions are averaging 20 students per evening, and many benefit from one-on-one attention.

“If people want to cross, a sign isn’t going to stop them,” he said.

The Record contacted the CBSA for comment.

“We are actively engaging the municipality to find a compromise to address the community’s concerns,” relayed CBSA Communications Advisor Dominique Mcneely. We therefore are actively seeking new volunteers, specifically on Tuesday afternoons. If you have a couple of hours a month to spare and like helping others, please consider joining our dynamic group of volunteers to contribute to the success of Phelps’ programs! Please email us at info@phelpshelps.ca or call our offices at 819-704-0799.