Provencher MP Ted Falk is pleased there has been some response by Ottawa to his calls for better resources in Emerson to handle the many migrants who are entering the country there illegally. More resources have been put into place to try and avoid situations where local volunteers have to provide housing and security for migrants. Falk adds he is continuing to pressure the government to tighten up the rules on these illegal crossings but says that will take time.

"I don't think this is an issue that is going to be resolved quickly. No matter what steps are taken, if there's agreement to amend the Safe Third Country Agreement, that will tighten up some 

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Provencher MP Ted Falkof the policies and understandings, we have with refugee claims, that still has to filter back into the (migrant) community so that people understand there's no longer an incentive to do what they're doing."

Falk says it was good to see federal MPs in Emerson last week, reimbursing the community for costs incurred in assisting the migrants. He notes Reeve Greg Janzen was told the chequebook will remain open should there be additional costs in this regard.

Falk also commends the residents of the RM of Emerson-Franklin for their compassionate response to the migrants.

"The folks in Emerson-Franklin have responded very compassionately, very generously. They are frustrated, some of them are anxious with what they see happening and they're certainly not nearly all happy about it, even though in their unhappiness, they're still compassionate because these are still real people who are coming across and that's not lost on the people of Emerson-Franklin. They also are very concerned that we tighten up our border and make sure that we have proper security there. But it's something they anticipate will be happening for awhile yet."