A town in Quebec is expressing its concerns over what it describes as a unilateral decision by U.S. officials to restrict Canadian access to a library that spans the Canada-U.S. border.
The Haskell Free Library and Opera House, located between Stanstead, Quebec, and Derby Line, Vermont, has become a symbol of cross-border unity and collaboration, providing a space for families separated by the border to come together.
The library’s main entrance is situated on the Vermont side. Previously, Canadian visitors could access the library via the sidewalk and entrance on the American side, although they were “encouraged,” as noted on the library’s website, to carry identification.
In a press release issued Thursday, the town of Stanstead stated, “This closure not only limits Canadian visitors’ access to a historic emblem of cooperation and harmony between our two nations but also undermines the spirit of cross-border collaboration that characterizes this iconic site.”
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U.S. Customs and Border Protection did not respond to inquiries made on Friday.
The relationship between the United States and Canada, traditionally strong allies, has reached unprecedented lows since former U.S. President Donald Trump suggested the possibility of annexing Canada as the 51st state and implemented tariffs.
U.S. Senator Peter Welch, a Democrat from Vermont, expressed concern over the reports of the closure, stating, “Vermont loves Canada. This shared cultural institution celebrates a partnership between our two nations,” on X.