Support is being shown by customs officers in northwestern Ontario to their U.S. counterparts impacted by the federal government shutdown.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel aren’t getting paid.
Regional president for the Customs and Immigration Union Mathew Ashworth says Canadian officers took it upon themselves to deliver food across the border.
“When we saw this happening we knew had to do anything we could,” says Ashworth. “Our members, we want to show solidarity for our American counterparts so it’s just a little thing that we organized.”
Ashworth adds on their own time, officers in Rainy River have delivered meat and cheese trays.
Others have brought over pizza and Timmies.
Ashworth says Canadian officers can feel for what the US officers are going through, noting the problems with the Phoenix pay system that has impacted employees with the Canada Border Services Agency.
He says the situation also hits close to home as many officers know each on a personal level.