No Wall, Just More Support, Says MLA

A provincial politician agrees with the local municipal officials that the community of Emerson needs better security measures in light of the increasing number of people who are seeking refuge in Canada.

Emerson MLA Cliff Graydon says there needs to be some measures in place to keep local citizens and volunteers safe and he's pretty sure which level government should provide the resources to make

"Basically it is a federal issue and  we certainly need more federal resources available and I would suggest those resources need to go directly to the community."

Local municipal officials are willing to help provide temporary shelter for refugees in the future, but only if security will be provided by RCMP or Canada Border Services Agency. They also want financial compensation from the federal government for costs incurred in housing and feeding these families.

Graydon feels the federal government needs to step up to the plate on this issue, and he's not asking for a wall to be constructed either.

"I don't believe we need to have a wall built at all, whether that's a real wall or a fictitious wall. People come to Canada because they have hope, and hope exists here."

Graydon says unfortunately, there has been a slow draw down of RCMP personnel in the region over the past few years and he'd like to see that trend reversed to help deal with the increase in asylum seekers crossing near Emerson.