Finally, after almost a year the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) has acknowledged that the temporary port of entry on city property at the foot of the Seaway International Bridge may not be moving anytime soon.
This piece of information was dragged out of the CBSA by Mayor Bob Kilger who had demanded and finally got a meeting with federal officials.
Originally, Kilger had requested a meeting with Public Safety Minister Vic Toews but he got the proverbial bum's rush from the minister.
It was only after a wave of negative publicity and a decision by the Liberal caucus to send two of its own to Cornwall for a first-hand look (and news conference) did Toews bother to acknowledge the mayor's months-old letter.
Toews' brush off was a glaring display of let 'em eat cake arrogance, something that has become a trademark of Harper cabinet members.
The mayor didn't share details of his meeting with the CBSA upper echelon, but he clearly came away believing that there is no quick fix to the border issue.
Kilger is now of the opinion that the disruption that is causing long traffic backups on the bridge during busy periods will continue through the summer.
In fact, the "temporary" port of entry could became permanent, or at least until the new level bridge is built. And that could be years away.
Ironically, the border crossing issue has put plans for the new low level bridge on the backburner until the CBSA decides its next move.
Three options are on the table: 1) Move back to the island; 2) build a new facility at the foot of the new low level bridge (probably at the bottom of Brookdale Avenue; and 3) work out a complicated agreement with the U.S. government to put a new facility on the U.S. mainland.
A move to the island is hindered by the fact the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne( MCA) is opposed to armed guards on its territory and the government will not allow its guards to go unarmed.
Options two and three will take at least a year, probably much longer, to come into play.
This means the CBSA and city will have to sit down and redesign the "temporary" port to make it more viable.
At least now, thanks to the mayor's leadership on this issue, the community has come idea of where the issue sits.
Sadly, this is more than we got from our federal government representative who has towed the Toews' line.