Another laugh or cry? news item. I imagine Carolyn Parrish and other liberals would think this is sufficient, and would simply wonder whether our li’l boats were stocked with tea and a tea set to fend off terrorists and killers “liberal-style”.
Canada’s defence: 2 li’l boats
By TOM GODFREY, TORONTO SUN
[August 1 2005]CANADA CUSTOMS officers say their fleet of two inflatable boats to patrol the world’s longest undefended border just doesn’t hold water when compared to the 100 aircraft and 75 vessels their U.S. counterparts have at their disposal.
“We have two boats for use from coast to coast,” says Ron Moran, president of the Customs Excise Union.
If a plane or helicopter is required, they have to turn to another Canadian government department or ask U.S. Customs to share one of theirs.
“We need a border patrol,” he says. “There has to be an independent body to secure the border.”
Customs officers said their boats were purchased second-hand about 15 years ago. One is based in Quebec and the other in B.C., officers say.
“That is the extent of our fleet,” Moran says. “We have to depend on the generosity of the Americans.”
U.S. border agents also use dogs, horses, bikes, ATVs and helicopters and are testing unmanned aircraft or drones.
U.S. spokesman Kevin Corsaro said his agents nationwide daily refuse entry to 1,237 people, nab 54 aliens trying to sneak in, and pull over one traveller for terrorism or national security concerns.
Every day, they make more than 3,300 arrests, seize 1,000 kilos of drugs, 193 guns, $205,500 in currency and $1.9 million in merchandise on the Canadian and Mexican borders.
But whatever you did reading the first part (laugh or cry), you have to laugh at this last part of the story:
Helen Leslie, of the Canada Border Services Agency, refused comment, citing national security issues, but sent old press releases from her agency’s website.
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