Provencher MP Ted Falk and some local MLA's and Reeves have sent a letter to U.S. Customs asking it to reconsider plans to reduce hours of service at the Lancaster and Roseau, Minnesota border crossings. U.S. Customs announced last month that hours would change January 7th. At Roseau, the border will close at 8:00 p.m. instead of midnight and at Lancaster it will close at 4:00 p.m. instead of 8:00 p.m. Falk says the change at Roseau is of particular concern because Manitobans who live in that corner of the province get some of their health care at the Roseau Hospital.

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Provencher MP Ted Falk"South Junction and Roseau is one that's very concerning because of exactly the medical access that is required often in Roseau there for folks who live in that South Junction area. It's a port that is used quite frequently for Canadians to access the joint (health) agreement that we have the Americans to service Manitobans who live in the southeast corner there."

As for the Lancaster port on Highway #59, Falk says he has heard from many constituents who cross after work, contrary to what U.S. Customs is saying.

"They claim they have statistics that show there is minimal traffic after 4:00 p.m. I've heard from a lot of folks in and around the riding that they certainly have taken advantage of it after 4:00 p.m. I know especially weekend travellers, who go down either for camping or just to get away for a break, often will leave after work which in most cases is 5:00 or 6:00 p.m. So they're travelling through that port in the evening and that (change) would certainly inconvenience a lot of those folks because they would be forced to travel all the way over to Emerson."

Falk says the letter asks U.S. Customs to keep the hours unchanged. It has been signed by himself along with La Verendrye MLA Dennis Smook, Emerson MLA Cliff Graydon, Emerson/Franklin Reeve Greg Janzen, Piney Reeve Wayne Anderson and Stuartburn Reeve Jim Swidersky.