Ottawa monitoring asylum seekers crossing borders

The federal government is closely watching the situation at the Canada and U.S. border involving asylum seekers.

Refugees have been crossing the border in places such as Manitoba, Quebec, and British Columbia.

“This has been an extraordinary movement over the course of the last number of weeks,” federal Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale said. He said the government is currently analyzing the documentation the newcomers bring with them to find out if the migration began in the states or elsewhere in the world.

Ottawa is unsure how the situation will progress as winter begins to turn into spring.

“We’re working very hard to try and anticipate all of the what-ifs and to be ready for those circumstances should they develop.”

He said he has been assured by the RCMP and Canadian Border Services Agency that all Canadian laws are being enforced. If the RCMP require funding to help enforce the borders, the government will listen to their recommendations as they plan for what may transpire in the future.