The MP for Southwest New Brunswick says Bill C-21 is meant to make our borders more safe and efficient, not slow them down.
MP Karen Ludwig says there has been a lot of confusion on the issue, especially in terms of language.
She tells us she has heard the words “thickening at the border” being used by St. Croix MLA Greg Thompson and others, several times in interviews, which implies the border will be much slower for travelers and goods coming to and from Canada.
“To Americans, a ‘thickening at the border’ means a safer border. Ultimately, with C-21, the intent of it is to have a safer, more secure, smarter in terms of exchanging information, and more efficient border. It’s not about slowing goods down from getting to their destination.”
She says Bill C-21 will allow Canadian and American border agencies to exchange information about who is crossing, and when.
She tells us its meant to help with things that all Canadians are concerned about in terms of safety, like drug smuggling, human trafficking, or quicker response times to Amber Alerts, where the exchange of information becomes crucial.
“As a new grandmother, I absolutely praise that. All of us that live so close to the border, and you watch the messages on Facebook where someone’s child is missing, not only does your heart ache, but when we look at the fact that with C-21, that exchange of information that has been approved by the Privacy Commissioner, it’s the basic information on the entrance and exit on our borders.”
She says right now, we do not collect or share that information, although other countries such as Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and even the United States, do share it with some countries.
Ludwig says C-21 will close loopholes in our border security system.
The MP recently wrote an Op-Ed about the effects of Bill C-21, and how those concerns relate to the residents of Campobello Island, who are currently without a ferry service to mainland Canada and must travel through both international borders by bridge to do so.
Ludwig thinks people have complicated the issue, saying if there was an issue with C-21, she would be following up with Federal Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale.
“I have on several occasions, we have a great relationship when it comes to issues in the riding. But when it came forward as a media story, I do think that’s a bit of a diversion to the concern regarding the ferry. That’s what people are concerned about.”
For example, Ludwig points to 9/11, “If, God forbid, another 9/11 happened, it’s not C-21 that’s going to stop Campobello residents from traveling, it’s not having a ferry service.”
She says they are two very distinct concerns.
“What I hear mostly from residents, and from others across the country that are watching this, why can’t they have a ferry service?”
Ludwig says she is in full support of a ferry service to Campobello Island, and is currently trying to help speed up the process for a Transport Canada inspection on the available ferry.
You can read MP Ludwig’s full Op-Ed HERE.
