Minister, union head disagree on how to deal with migrant influx
Over the Easter long weekend, approximately 600 people crossed into Quebec
The minister of immigration and the head of Canada's Customs and Immigration Union are at odds when it comes to what they consider the appropriate approach to handling an increase of irregular border crossings from the U.S.
While Ahmed Hussen is emphasizing more education and outreach as the key, union head Jean-Pierre Fortin is pleading for more resources at the border.
Over the Easter long weekend, approximately 600 people crossed into Quebec along the now-infamous Roxham Road.
There's no official port of entry along the road, but 190 people crossed illegally on Thursday alone.
For a crossing that has seen about 60 people per day over the last few months, the threefold increase in numbers could foreshadow what Quebec could expect in the summer months.
"It is a clear indication right now ... that there will be a major influx over the coming weeks," Jean-Pierre Fortin, president the Customs and Immigration Union, told CBC Radio's The House.
If the summer sees another mass exodus to Canada, Fortin is concerned the border guards will be understaffed and under-resourced.
Ahmed Hussen, however, says activity at the border has been relatively steady, and there may not be cause to classify it as another rush like last year's.
"How you get ahead of it is you're always vigilant, you track the numbers, you also track the different nationalities that are coming in and you tailor your messaging to those people," Hussen told The House.