9/11 changed everything Dawg. 9/11... changed... everything.
Wouldn't it be possible to basically turn this area into a neutral zone? From the map, five Canadian checkpoints on American soil can pre-clear American tourists heading into the area, and seven American checkpoints on Canadian soil can do the same to Canadian tourists. Then give every resident within the area Nexus cards.
What isn't evident from the map is the intermingling of communities. Many Eastern Townships residents are closer in spirit to border US states citizens in spirit and in real connections - familial, recreational, commercial and even educational - - than they are to the rest of Canada.
I've often crossed the Canada/US border at Beebe, the last time in October 2001 when I returned from a camping weekend in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. As the friendly border guard waved a carload of happy, exhausted women across that invisible line, I realized that the nastiness of the outside world would inevitably change this quaint examplar of harmonious and neighbourly relations between Canadian and US people.
The last time for me was in 1998 when we were returning from celebrating my late partner's fortieth in North Hatley. We did the little jog through Beebe, and I waved. The fellow looked surprised, actually, but no sirens went off!
James, your suggestion was one I raised in a Native Studies class with respect to Akwesasne, now divided between two countries. I suggested that the borders be moved to circumscribe the territory, rather than running through it. Each border point would be one-way--easy entrance to Awkesasne, but stringent exit procedures.
The territory itself would gain a certain sovereignty through this, of course. In any case, the class took strong exception to the notion, but I still think it makes sense.
Akwesasne, now divided between two countries.
Akwesasne gets even more complicated because it also lies within two provinces, one being Quebec.
I'm another who often crossed through at Beebe as a child and young adult, but not been through there since 2000 when we drove back to Montreal from my youngest sister's wedding in St. John, NB via the United States.
Come to think of it I haven't been to the United States at all since that trip.
It's all very sad indeed. I know the area well too (Bishop's grad) and crossed many times to ski, play basketball, etc. About twenty years ago I was driving the highway that follows the border on a glorious autumn day, took a wrong turn and found myself disoriented and on an unpaved road going deeper into the woods. All of a sudden I came across a sign that read: ATTENTION: YOU ARE NOW ENTERING THE UNITED STATES. PLEASE REPORT TO THE BORDER POST AT... which was at least fifteen miles away. I'd hate to see what is there now, minefields?
Richler fans will know this whole area is awash in great smuggling stories from the Prohibition era.
In other news,
http://www.thestar.com/News/GTA/.../article/
485451
I think that some of the smaller crossings still have "hours". A lot of them are just summer crossing points. If you go through after 8 o'clock at night, you are supposed to go to the closest open border and check in. If you don't there is a serious fine -- used to be $800. Our little border is open 24/7, but the next one west is a summer only crossing.
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