Ummm ... the numbers are alarming but maybe you shouldn't broadcast the fact the Stanstead border crossing is understaffed!

As a former CBSA officer, I can tell you that being short staffed is a way of life at the border. There must be something made clear though; the border services officers are responsible for the border crossing, not the countryside in between the border crossings. It's unclear in Mr. Rousseau's statement if the 300 people presented themselves at the border crossing, or succeeded in crossing illegally through the countryside. I strongly suspect that the 300 people tried to enter Canada illegally by whatever means were available to them at the time. If someone enters Canada at a border crossing, CBSA officers are there 24/7 (short staffed or not). I think Mr. Rousseau should also ask what kind of budget RCMP has for covering the many thousands of kilometers in between border crossings. (There were 5 RCMP cruisers parked north of the Autoroute 55 crossing in Stanstead on Saturday afternoon).