More asylum seekers cross into Manitoba

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This article was published 26/02/2017 (3207 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The incidents of asylum seekers coming across the Canadian border in Emerson — including another half-dozen Friday night — is getting so frequent, local leaders are having difficulty keeping track of hard numbers.

That’s not necessarily bad news, says Greg Janzen, reeve of the Municipality of Emerson-Franklin.

Janzen estimated Saturday up to 60 refugee claimants crossed into Manitoba last week, accelerating a trend that began about eight weeks ago.

While the groups were larger at first, and only arriving on weekends, the border jumpers are coming at a faster rate, in smaller groups and on any given day of the week.

RCMP now only report the number of asylum seekers from the previous week every month, so figures have yet to be confirmed. But along with the 35 claimants over last weekend, there were nine on Tuesday night/Wednesday morning, five Wednesday night, seven to 10 Friday morning and the half-dozen Friday night.

“We’ve almost had somebody every day,” Janzen said.

The good news, however, is the municipality is no longer being overtaxed by responding to late-night calls — unless it’s an emergency — or having to provide temporary shelter when larger groups of claimants arrive.

“I believe the border security (Canada Border Services Agency) got more help, more resources, and they’re working on a more permanent solution,” he said. “Realistically, these bigger numbers have only been happening for 21/2 weeks now.

“For everyone to step up this quick — the (provincial) Conservative government, the (federal) Liberal government — is phenomenal to get this much reaction that quick.

“They don’t have enough staff yet, but there is more coming.”

The RCMP, meanwhile, have also bolstered security along the border.

“They’ve been very good,” Janzen said, of the increased RCMP and CBSA presence.

“They’ve been in Emerson with unmarked vehicles. They’re not trying to run their sirens. They don’t want to scare the residents. They’ve been very conscientious… and doing a great job.”

At a news conference Thursday at Welcome Place, Premier Brian Pallister pledged $110,000 in additional funding to the Manitoba Interfaith Immigration Council for support services to refugee claimants, including paralegal services and transportation to Winnipeg from the U.S. border. The province also announced it will provide $70,000 to the Manitoba Association of Newcomer Serving Organizations to hire a refugee response co-ordinator for a one-year period and supply 14 new emergency housing units.

“This is a national issue, not solely one that we are facing here in Manitoba,” Pallister said. “We must remember also that there is a need for a national and co-ordinated approach.”

Pallister said the province is seeking improved information-sharing from Ottawa and assurances “services are effectively managed.”

randy.turner@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @randyturner15