Community Concern re Aldergrove Port of Entry clo #1, $761 Glover Rd., Langley, BC V3A 8M8 May 14, 2009 Hon. Peter Van Loan Minister of Public Safety 517-8 Centre Block House of Commons Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6 Dear Sir: Idergrove, Bi of Ent It has come to our attention that there is an effort being made by the Canada Border Services Agency to close the Aldergrove/Lynden Port of Entry to all commercial traffic. As representatives of the affected communities and businesses in Canada and the United States, we hereby wish to register our absolute opposition to the proposed closure. The four Ports of Entry in Southwest British Columbia (Peace Arch, Pacific Highway, Aldergrove and Sumas) are the transportation routes for all US traffic to and from Southwest British Columbia, and the primary crossings for commercial traffic including Asia/Pacific through the Port of Vancouver. Transport Canada currently ranks the Aldergrove Border at number 12 for truck crossings in Canada, In summer 2009 the new Golden Ears Crossing of the Fraser River will be complete. This crossing will provide a ‘more direct north/south transportation route for traffic between the I-5 in the U.S. and north side of the Fraser River via the Aldergrove/Lynden Border Crossing and Hwy. 13. Existing and projected growth rates indicate that by 2030 the population in Metro Vancouver will reach 3 million, with similar growth expected in neighbouring Fraser Valley Communities. The population growth and increased economic activity will continue to stress the border facilities. The United States has recently made significant improvements to this port of entry to facilitate existing and projected increases in traffic, and they will continue providing commercial clearance at this Port. ‘At the present time this border crossing has limited hours of operation from 8:00 am to 12 ‘midnight. For the past two years elected officials from the local, state, provincial and federal level in British Columbia and Washington State, in partnership with business representatives, have been communicating the need and support for increased hours of operation and clearance services for commercial traffic at the Aldergrove/Lynden Port of Entry. This will provide access as an alternate route for import/export commercial traffic not destined to or from Metro Vancouver or the Port of Vancouver. Expansion of services and hours of operation at this Port would provide relief for the over-burdened Peace Arch and Pacific Crossings, and help to eliminate congestion and the negative effect on greenhouse gas as a result, now and into the future.{Closure of commercial services atthe Aldergrove/Lynden Port of Entry will negatively impact on the existing and projected growth of businesses, and the people who depend on Jobs related to the movement of goods, services and people. We have discussed the proposed closing with the BC Trucking Association who also share our concerns and will be preparing a separate communication. rally the support of Our communities. Once again, we request a meeting with the senior elected officials and staff to reinforce the importance issue to the region, and the need for investment in infrastructure improvements to safe and secure commercial clearance. Signed: SUA de’ Mayor Rick Green, Township of Langley Mayor Peter Fassbender, City of Langley Vio Mayor George W. Peary, City of Abbotsford Alcs Inde Sumal, President Surrey Board of Trade Ask. James Barlow, President Alvin Epp, Vice-Chair ; Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce Lower Mainland Chambers Transportation Panel ‘ws John Winter, President & CEO. BC Chamber of Commercece: cc: List attached Hon. Stockwell Day, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia- Pacific Gateway, Government of Canada Hon, John Baird, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, Government of Canada Hon. Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Government of Canada Members of Parliament serving the communities of Surrey, Langley and Abbotsford Hon. Kevin Falcon, Minister of Transportation, Province of BC Hon. Rich Coleman, Solicitor General, Province of BC, MLA Fort Langley/Aldergrove MLA’s serving the communities of Surrey, Langley, Abbotsford Mr K, Scoville, Director of Pacific Highway District, CBSA Pacific Region Mr. Blake Delgaty, Regional Director General, Pacific Region, Canada Border Services Agency British Columbia Trucking Association Pacific Gateway Council