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In Cornwall, “we knew it was going to happen one day”

I’m not surprised at all. I live in Cornwall for 40 years. We hear a lot of stories about the criminal activities going on at the border. We suspected that it was going to happen one day, but it’s sad. It’s scaryexplains Justin, a proud resident of this eastern Ontario town of more than 45,000 people.

« I didn’t want to hear such a story. A child has died. I’m a father, so this tears my heart out. »

A quote from Justin, Cornwall resident

Justin’s speech resonated with Mike, met unexpectedly in a parking lot Cornwall. Mike is 21 years old. He, too, has heard his share of bizarre stories about all that can be happening so close to home, on a reserve that shares the borders of Ontario, Quebec and the State of New York.

It’s sad to hear, but it’s not surprising. With all [ce] what’s going on here. Sometimes, there are people who disappear overnight, and they are no longer found.

Mike gives the example of a friend of his uncle, who is still the subject of a wanted notice issued by the local police. Last summer, his vehicle was found at the Cornwall Civic Complex, but he was never found.

Cornwall is located very close to Akwesasne, a community that straddles the borders of Ontario, Quebec and New York State.

Photo : Radio-Canada

I could talk to you about it for hours

AT Cornwallthe practice of indoor sport goes through the multisport center Bensona complex comprising three ice rinks, as well as fields where you can play tennis, pickleball and at badminton.

Friday afternoon is dead calm. Two men are chatting, in French, in the hall, warming up. Like many citizens, they read the news that the victims were trying to enter the United States illegally.

One of the two men starts the discussion: pantoute. It’s a shame, but I could tell you stories [sur les migrants qui traversent la frontière]. I could talk to you about this for hours.”,”text”:”I’m not surprised at all. It’s a shame, but I could tell you stories [sur les migrants qui traversent la frontière]. I could talk to you about it for hours.”}}”>I’m not surprised [du tout]. It’s a shame, but I could tell you stories [sur les migrants qui traversent la frontière]. I could talk to you about this for hours.

Invited by the author of these lines to develop the substance of his thought, the man refuses.: let’s just leave it at that“,”text”:”Comme on dit en anglais: let’s just leave it at that”}}”>As we say in English: let’s just leave it at that, he replies. Obviously, these are the kind of stories he prefers to tell to friends over a beer, rather than to a journalist. a bit too curious.

The Benson Center in Cornwall.

The Benson Center in Cornwall welcomes athletes of all levels.

Photo: Radio-Canada / Charles Lalande

Leaving the Benson Center, a man asks about the presence of Radio-Canada. We explain why. Akwesasne, yes, I know. I went through this to enter Canada. I live in Cornwall six months nowhe answers, in French, without wanting to say more about his story.

Of all the citizens met, he is the one who can most easily put himself in the shoes of the migrants who left their lives on Thursday evening. These citizens willing to risk everything, their lives included, in the hope of simply improving their lot.

Cornwall Town Hall.

Cornwall welcomes its share of migrants, so much so that in mid-February Mayor Justin Towndale feared he lacked the resources to accommodate a new influx of migrants.

Photo: Radio-Canada / Charles Lalande

A few blocks away, an elderly couple gets very emotional while talking about the sinking. They have lived in Cornwall for almost 50 years.

The woman speculates that the reason for this tragedy is the closure of Roxham Road last week. On the other hand, the police services of the community affirmed, Friday morning, to have identified 48 incidents related to the illegal crossing of migrants from Canada to the United States.

People are determined to cross the St. Lawrence River to reunite with their families, who often find refuge in the United States. I am truly sorry for the victims. I hope that from now on there will be more monitoring. People don’t have to die anymore.

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