Rafferty pleased with anti-smuggling legislation

New legislation is expected to make it easier for Canada and the U.S. to fight smuggling and other criminal activity in waters that straddle the borders of both countries.

The Protecting Borders Act will allow authorities from the two countries to work together aboard vessels in boundary waters in order to pursue and arrest suspects regardless of the international boundary line. This includes areas in the Great Lakes.

MP John Rafferty (Thunder Bay – rainy River) is responsible for a riding that includes several hundred kilometres of lakes and rivers between the two countries. He said although changes implemented by the new legislation are mainly aimed at the lower Great Lakes, he has noticed a lot more security along Rainy River and Rainy Lake.

And although he doesn't think smuggling is a major problem in that area, he admits there is a lot of water where potential criminal activity could take place.

The legislation follows a cross-border agreement that was signed in May of last year.

The Public Safety Department says vessels would be under the control of officers from the country whose waters the boat is in at the time.