Langley's MP and local truckers are working to keep the Aldergrove border open.

Matthew Claxton, Langley Advance

Langley's federal representative will try to convince his colleagues in Ottawa not to reduce commercial traffic through Langley's only border crossing.

Langley MP Mark Warawa said he will speak to Public Safety Minister Peter Van Loan and border officials about a plan to shut down truck traffic at the Aldergrove Border Crossing.

"I'm trying to confirm: is it rumour, is it going to happen, and if so, when," Warawa said.

The matter caught politicians and business owners off guard. "It is a surprise," Warawa said. Warawa is also arranging to speak to the manager of border services for the region.

The Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce and local politicians have been up in arms about the truck traffic ban since earlier this month.

At Monday night's council meeting, Township Mayor Rick Green emphasized that he and mayors from neighbouring communities want to see the border kept open to trucks.

Local businesses trading with the US make extensive use of the crossing, directly south of the 264th Street freeway interchange and the Gloucester Industrial Estates.

The Langley-based B.C. Trucking Association has been gathering support and lobbying Van Loan already. BCTA vice-president Louise Yako said the Greater Vancouver Gateway Council, the Canadian Trucking Allicance, and PACE, a cross-border trade group, are all onside.

The truckers are also upset because they had been told the closure was because of a decline in truck traffic: from about 100,000 a year between 2000 to 2007, dipping to about 76,000.

But Yako said that was a result of economic downturn, and other crossings also saw dips.

The reason for the change is security and drug trafficking, according to the Canada Border Services Agency.

Faith St. John of the CBSA said last week that no final decision has been made, and the matter was still in the discussion stage.

However, it is on the table because Aldergrove does not have the proper facilities, like those at 176th Street in Surrey and Sumas in Abbotsford, to examine trucks for contraband.

Much of the cocaine coming into Canada in recent years has been brought in using commercial trucks, often with hidden compartments, St. John said.
Yako said truckers understand the need for security, but there are ways around it. Suspicious trucks can be sealed and diverted to the 176th Street crossing to use its facilities.

Warawa said he has already been in touch with Whatcom County's congressman, Rick Larsen, about the border.

"If there are concerns about traffic not being properly screened... what's the US position on this?" Warawa said.

Any halt to truck traffic should only be temporary, Warawa said. The equipment should be upgraded as soon as possible.

However, Warawa said, Ottawa's stimulus dollars can't be used for that. That fund was intended for "shovel ready" projects that can start quickly.

An environmental assessment has to be done before construction can start on new facilities, Warawa added.

He said he would like to see the crossing open 24 hours a day, for which the Chamber has lobbied several years. Eventually, it will be necessary for trade, Warawa said.

On June 5, the board of directors of the BCTA and 35 of its carriers who use the Aldergrove crossing will meet with the regional director of the CBSA.

© Langley Advance 2009