Public Safety committee  I don't have too much to add to that, because we don't have interactions with the RCMP, so a reservist interaction is highly unlikely. With respect to the Canada Border Services Agency, you're either a BSO under the legislation of the Canada Customs Act, or you're not, so there's not an in-between.

Public Safety committee  I would say that what we receive is probably equal to the number the CBSA receives every month. We encourage our members to file official complaints if it's something more than an misunderstanding. Generally we inform them altogether if we encourage them to do both, or if we will assist in mitigating it directly with the local agency, because sometimes that is better.

Public Safety committee  We can go back to Mr. Noormohamed. I didn't take note of where I was. Thank you, though.

Public Safety committee  I can start on that. I would say that the CBSA specifically, which we have more interactions with than the RCMP, is a young agency. It was an amalgamation of customs and excise, and it had a different function. Over the years since it was formed—I think it was only in 2005, perhaps; it's quite young—it has evolved to what its mandate is.

Public Safety committee  I think, realistically, that there are only so many nations that are exposed to the border and would be crossing the border. In my case, Akwesasne is part of the Haudenosaunee, which spans a certain geographical area, and as you go down the border itself, there are other nations that have historically or still continue to occupy that area.

Public Safety committee  Predominantly around training and awareness is where it begins. There have been lots of recommendations through several inquiries and reports that talk about awareness and training abroad, and this is definitely one of those areas where it should be implemented. Having said that, I can tell you that CBSA has an indigenous affairs secretariat, which is working very hard to ensure this is happening across the coast.

Public Safety committee  Absolutely, and thank you for the question. In relation to the Jay Treaty, it's recognized by the United States but not recognized by Canada. The daily implications are that any indigenous person or member of a tribal nation.... In the case of Akwesasne, we have both: We have members who have a status card and members who have a tribal card.

Public Safety committee  Thank you for the question. It's great to see you, as always. As I mentioned in my opening remarks, this process needs to be simplified and accessible, not only to elders and persons with disabilities, but in various languages as well. The previous panellist spoke to the importance of that.

Public Safety committee  I definitely think that being independent from the agency itself is very helpful. The community will feel more comfortable filing the complaints knowing that an independent body will review and take action if appropriate. Akwesasne being the 70% user of this port of entry is extremely important because it's unlike any other port of entry.

Public Safety committee  Yes, absolutely. The theory of badge reviewing badge is concerning to us. The experience we have had previously, several years ago, was with a very loose complaints process with Canada Customs. It has improved, but it's about confidence, credibility and objectivity for our members.

Public Safety committee  Shé:kon. Good afternoon, honourable Chair, honourable vice-chairs and members of the committee. I bring greetings on behalf of the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne and our community of Akwesasne. Thank you for the invitation to address the committee today. Today I will be presenting to the committee some information about my community of Akwesasne and our border realities, and I'll provide some insight into our position on Bill C-20.

Public Safety committee  We're obviously open to codevelopment in legislation, but more particularly, in our community, there has to be recognition of our jurisdiction and authority. What happens in our jurisdiction is that there are two provincial boundaries. In other legislation, it devolves the legislative authority to the provinces.

Public Safety committee  Yes, absolutely. As I said in my opening remarks, many people take to cross-border crime because of the money that can be made. When there are fewer opportunities, that means they look for ways to support themselves that are outside of social supports. Absolutely.

Public Safety committee  We need greater opportunities within our community. Believe me, we're challenged by the location of our community as well, on an economic front, because, again, in some industries you're regulated by external legislation. Depending on where you are, that can make a determination on what makes sense and what doesn't.

Public Safety committee  Ultimately, we need more boots on the ground and technology and equipment to be able to continue to keep our community safe. What I can say is that with any of these commodities, whether it be guns, people or drugs, it's not grown. It's not manufactured. It's not coming from here.