Rainy Lake Conservancy annual meeting ‘educational’

This year’s annual general meeting of the Rainy Lake Conservancy drew a sizable crowd from both sides of the border Sunday afternoon at La Place Rendez-Vous to meet and mingle, discuss organizational matters, and have a question-and-answer session with Canada Border Service Agency officials.
“[The presentation] did cover a lot of ground,” conservancy president Anne Newhart said. “And I like the fact that even through some of the confusion, there were good feelings. . . .
“It was an educational experience, but enjoyable, as well,” she added.
Most on hand seemed to enjoy the discussion between conservancy members—made up of people from the region and northern Minnesota with residences on islands in Rainy Lake—and superintendent of traffic operations Doug Cuthbertson and enforcement liaison officer Jennifer Silver of the CBSA.
While many of the questions posed by members were of a technical nature and referred to specific government documents and regulations, Cuthbertson was friendly and approachable when speaking to the crowd.
He stressed using common sense and disclosing items brought across the border to the CBSA as a rule of thumb.
Cuthbertson explained the presentation grew out of an invitation to spend 15 minutes with the organization, which generally hosts a presentation after its annual board report.
After accepting, organization members submitted questions, which quickly grew to a list of about 45, plus those fielded Sunday afternoon.
“All I did was quote rules and regulations,” Cuthbertson said afterwards. “By the reception after, I’d say we accomplished our goals.”
Questions ranged from what documents need to be filed to take grandchildren across the lake, who can legally work on property in Canada, what dog food can be brought across the border, what to do when crossing the border during inclement weather, and why American potatoes can’t be brought into Canada.
Cuthbertson said common sense applies to most situations, and that when in doubt over anything coming across the lake to contact the CBSA.
“It’s only a phone call. It only takes a minute,” he told the crowd.
“Some of us really didn’t know the details of what was expected of us crossing the border as much as we do,” Newhart noted, adding the officers gave some “really useful information on how to be a good neighbour with the Customs.”
The presentation was preceded by the organization’s annual board report, which detailed a number of developments for the conservancy, such as new partnerships with various government organizations, and appointments to the board.
The organization also welcomed new members from the Namakan area.
Up next for the Rainy Lake Conservancy is a nature outing to Roberts Island next Wednesday morning (Aug. 15). Anyone interested should call Ginny Sweatt at 1-218-244-0408.