NDP calls for public consultations on plan that could station Canadian border guards on U.S. soil

The federal government should do more to consult Canadians on its plan to set up preclearance posts at the border that could see Canadian border guards posted on U.S. soil, says NDP public safety critic Peter Julian.

Julian told CBC News that if the government doesn't improve the consultation process and answer questions raised by groups like the guard's union and the Canadian Bar Association, he could propose a parliamentary committee study of the plan.

«If the consultation isn't done right and those answers aren't forthcoming, then I certainly don't have any hesitation to bringing it for more in-depth study at committee,» he said. «But the government still has a chance to do the right thing and we'll give them an opportunity to do that over the course of the next few days.»

CBC News reported last week that Ottawa is planning to set up preclearance posts on U.S. soil and allow American officers to work from border posts in Canada — something the Customs and Immigration Union, which represents border officers, describes as «game-changing.»

The initiative could begin as early as June with a two-year pilot project at the small Covey Hill/Cannon Corners border crossing between Quebec and New York State. Canada Border Services officers would move in with their U.S. counterparts at the American border post, about 200 meters from the Canadian post.

Under the proposal, the CBSA would provide most of the usual services at the preclearance post in the U.S. but would have to refer any refugee claimants to a different border post located on Canadian soil.

Regulations being proposed by the federal government would, if approved, allow the program to expand to other border crossings across the country.

The Customs and Immigration Union and