The U.S. government is making it more difficult for Canadians to access the Stanstead, Que., library, an iconic building that straddles the border, according to town and library officials.
The Haskell Free Library and Opera House, built in 1904, has been declared a heritage site in both countries and has long been considered a symbol of harmony between Canada and the U.S.
The mayor of Stanstead, representatives from the library and local residents spoke out Friday against the U.S. government’s decision to limit Canadians’ access to the main entrance to the building.
Jody Stone, Stanstead’s mayor, said an agreement had been in place for more than a century to share access to the building. Stone, who grew up in the area, said the restrictions undermine the spirit of cross-border collaboration in the area.
“We drink the same water, we share the same sewer plant,” he said at a news conference near the library.
“Without borders, you wouldn’t even know we were two separate communities. Today’s announcement makes no sense in my opinion.”
The border line literally runs across the floor of the library, but the main entrance is on the American side in Derby Line, Vt.
Until now, the library was considered a neutral location, allowing Canadians to visit without having to go through the procedures of a normal border, with patrol officers ensuring that everyone goes back to where they came from.
Holding back tears, American resident Penny Thomas said Canada has been a staunch ally and does “not deserve to be treated this way.”
“What the U.S. is doing is wrong. I’m embarrassed about how the United States of America is treating Canada,” said Thomas, who came to the news conference to show her support.
“It’s irrational. It’s unkind,” she said of the decision.
Sylvie Boudreau, president of the Haskell Free Library and Opera House board of trustees in Stanstead, Que., spoke Friday about how the library will work after U.S. changes that will impact how Canadians can access the historic facility.
Library says it will adapt
Sylvie Boudreau, the president of the library’s board of trustees, said she was told by a U.S. border patrol officer earlier this week that direct access from Canada will be closed, starting in October.
In an interview with CBC, Boudreau said she was overwhelmed by the development, and near tears. Boudreau said she was “sad, disappointed, even angry, but we will rise above all this.”
For now, Boudreau said the American entrance will still be available to members with a library card, as well as staff.
Boudreau said the library will need to renovate an entrance on the Canadian side, and she already had plans to meet with a contractor.
“It will be a lot of restructuring, a lot of money to be spent,” she said, estimating the pricetag at more than $100,000. She said, however, that inside the library things will be “business as usual.”
Rise in ‘illicit cross-border activity,’ says U.S. border patrol
In an emailed statement, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said it has allowed customers of the library to access its sidewalk without inspection for decades.
“During that time, this area has witnessed a continued rise in illicit cross-border activity,” read the statement.
It said a phased approach will be put in place to align with its goal of “100 per cent border security.”
Until Oct. 1, non-library members attempting to enter the U.S. via the sidewalk next to the library will be redirected to the nearest port of entry — an approximately three-minute walk from the library, it says.
The spokesperson said during this time, library members will be allowed to continue use of the sidewalk with proof of membership.
As of Oct. 1, all visitors from Canada wishing to use the front entrance will be required to present themselves at a port of entry to enter the library from the United States, said CBP.
There will be continued exceptions to this plan which include “law enforcement, medical, fire, mail/package delivery, official workers, school visits (with notice to CBP), and handicapped individuals.”
Stanstead, Que., and Derby Line, Vt., share a street and a library that straddle the border. But the barrier separating both communities is now being felt more than ever.
The new restrictions at the library come amid heightened tensions between the U.S. and Canada, and nearly two months after Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem visited the library.
According to Boudreau, when Noem visited she stood on the American side and said “U.S.A. No. 1” and then, after crossing onto the Canadian side, said “the 51st state.” Boudreau said Noem did this multiple times.
‘I am losing sleep,’ says resident
“That was definitely provocative,” said Sarah MacNeil, referring to Noem’s comments.
“In Stanstead, we’re feeling like we’re being targeted because of our geographic situation.”
MacNeil says she’s heard about the U.S.’s concerns over fentanyl and migrants crossing into the U.S. But she thinks this move is about more than those issues.
“They’re finding a high-profile location on the border that represents community, harmony, goodwill and co-operation between our two countries and they’re trying to shut that down,” said MacNeil, adding that if the library wasn’t a safe area, she wouldn’t bring her children there.
She remembers a time when there were “flowerpots instead of fences” along the border.
Clément Jacques, a resident of Stanstead and a member of the library, said the building “belongs to both countries.”
“Quebec and Canada[‘s] government put money to build the extension and the Americans did the same.” He says the comments about making Canada the 51st state concern him.
“I am losing sleep,” said Jacques, showing his bright red cap which read “Canada is not for sale.”
“I hope tomorrow morning I’m gonna wake up as a Canadian.
Wendy Linnington said she’s being using the library for 25 years. She said it was “perfect” prior to this decision, and said she was “enraged” after hearing the news.
She said U.S. President Donald Trump is “picking on the wrong country.”
