ANCHORAGE – Representative Dan Ortiz (I-Ketchikan) will be attending the Southeast Conference Annual Meeting next week in Prince Rupert, British Columbia. The meeting will feature researchers, business owners, and political leaders from across Southeast Alaska and Western Canada.
JUNEAU – Monday, the Alaska House of Representatives voted unanimously for a resolution urging the Canadian government to keep the border open 24 hours a day between Hyder, Alaska and Stewart, British Columbia. House Joint Resolution 22 is sponsored by Representative Dan Ortiz (I-Ketchikan). Earlier this month the Canadian Border Services Agency implemented a closure of the border crossing from midnight to 8 am.
Juneau – The Canadian Border Services Agency plans to close the border between Hyder, Alaska and Stewart, B.C. between midnight and 8 a.m. beginning April 1. CBSA cites cost as a main reason for the planned border closure. Currently, the border crossing is staffed 24 hours a day to allow residents and visitors to use the only road entry point into Hyder. District 36 Representative Dan Ortiz (I-Ketchikan) plans to spend the next several days meeting with Hyder residents and Canadian officials in an effort to find a solution to the problem.
It’s wonderful to be home! It’s hard to believe that it’s been a month since the legislative session adjourned. While the legislative session ended on April 14th, I didn’t arrive back to Anchorage for another couple of weeks because I rushed off to Prince Edward Island, Canada.
