A chain-link fence has been installed at a once-popular meeting spot along the Canada-U.S. border, where citizens of both countries used to catch up from their respective sides.
The nearly two-metre-tall fence was put up along the 49th parallel between Tsawwassen, B.C., and Point Roberts, Wash., on the recommendation of the Delta Police Department, following a review of a death that occurred two years ago.
An elderly Tsawwassen man who suffered from dementia wandered into Point Roberts by accident in 2023, and was found dead days later.
Police concluded a fence would help prevent further tragedies.
Daniel Boisvert, a Delta city councillor who opposes the fence, stressed that it was not put up for security, or in alignment with “Donald Trump’s border protection measures.”
“This is not an area which people are using to smuggle goods or smuggle people back and forth across the border,” Boisvert added.
Boisvert said councillors were unaware that staff were installing the fence based on the police recommendation, and believes it creates an unnecessary divide between two friendly communities.
“The fence is a symbol to me,” Boisvert said. “Canada and the United States have enjoyed a wonderful relationship for our histories.”
The chain-link fence was installed by a contractor at a cost of $6,800, according to the city.
Al Thomas has lived in the area for about 20 years and supports the new barrier.
“It’s going to stop those people that are otherwise going to walk over without even knowing it,” he said. “It’s better to go through the border in the regular process. And why get into trouble if you don’t have to?”
But many others – on both sides of the border – are upset about the fence, including Gabe Meszaros of the Mohawk First Nation.
“Not only is it not a good idea, you’re also violating some First Nation rights,” he said. “Did anybody consult (with) the First Nations, for unceded territories?”
The area is beside Monument Park, a location many families with both citizenships have been using as a meet-up place for decades, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Brian Calder, the past chamber of commerce president for Point Roberts, said Delta also installed the fence without consulting with U.S. counterparts.
“Now you’ve got to look through the iron gate, like you’re in a penial institution,” said Calder, during an interview through the fence with CTV News.
“I feel for the family,” he said. “But it’s once in 100 years – one time in 100 years and you’re going to penalize everybody because of that issue? I don’t think that’s fair.”
Border control isn’t up to the city of Delta, Calder added.
Boisvert said he plans to introduce a motion in early February requesting that the fence be removed.
