CORNWALL -- Two Liberal critics have echoed calls for mediation to help settle the local border dispute while at the same time blasting local MP Guy Lauzon and his Conservative government for failing to take action on the issue.
Meanwhile, Lauzon fired back by accusing his political opponents of playing politics with the issue, and he said there's already been an offer for third-party assistance put on the table to help settle the dispute.
Liberal public safety and national security critic Mark Holland and aboriginal affairs critic Todd Russell called on the Harper government to appoint an independent mediator to settle the dispute following a meeting Wednesday with Akwesasne officials in St. Regis.
The two MPs said mediation would help to resolve the months-old dispute over the arming of border guards on Cornwall Island and free Akwesasne and Cornwall from the negative effects associated with the impasse.
The city, Cornwall chamber of commerce and Mohawk Council of Akwesasne (MCA) have all expressed support for mediation, however the Canada Border Services Agency has been non-commital.
The Liberal critics also offered up a good dose of criticism for the Harper government and, more specifically, Lauzon and public safety minister Peter Van Loan.
Holland said the government's lack of action has actually made the situation worse.
And he suggested Lauzon needs to be pushing for action.
"Instead, he simply labelled himself as a messenger," Holland said.
Russell went a step further, saying the government hasn't lived up to its moral, legal and social obligations to consult with a First Nations community. As for Lauzon, Russell said they may be better off to use a pigeon to carry the message to Ottawa if that's all Lauzon intends to do.
"If he can't effect some change in Ottawa, what the hell is he there for?," Russell charged.
City councillor and local Liberal candidate Bernadette Clement participated in the meeting and visit to Akwesasne as well, and she also cast a critical eye on the government and Lauzon, saying the community needs their MP to be more than just a messenger. Clement said the MP also needs to exert influence and explain the urgency of the situation to the powers-that-be.
The Cornwall area is working hard to be successful and attract new investment, Clement added, but the temporary port of entry at the foot of the Seaway bridge is hampering those efforts.
"It doesn't send the right message about this community," she said.
For his part, Lauzon didn't directly respond to Russell's pigeon comment when asked, however he questioned the usefulness of their visit to Akwesasne.
"What did he accomplish by his visit today?," Lauzon asked.
According to Lauzon, the CBSA offered to bring in a non-partisan facilitator in early June to help the two sides move forward, but the offer wasn't acted on. The MP said as far as he knows, that offer still stands.
As for bringing in a mediator, Lauzon doesn't think that will work.
"This (dispute) is (surrounding) a federal law. You can't mediate a law," he said.
Lauzon reiterated the problem is an "operational issue," and he said he's confident the two sides -- the CBSA and Akwesasne leaders -- can come up with a solution if they meet privately and discuss the issue with the help of a facilitator.
"CBSA and MCA have the tools at their disposal to resolve this. They just have to continue their dialogue," Lauzon added.
The local MP said he's proud of his handling of the matter, saying he's done whatever has been asked of him and he's helped send messages "both ways." Lauzon said he spoke to the prime minister about the issue as recently as last week.
Lauzon said neither he nor any other MP can simply "wave a magic wand" and solve the problem.