The Reeve of Piney is upset that the Canada Border Services Agency did not take people seriously when they explained how a reduction in hours at border crossings will cause them hardship. Wayne Anderson says the CBSA promoted meetings in Piney and Tolstoi last week as community consultations. And he says residents took that to heart, thinking they had an opportunity to convince the agency to change its mind.

"That's the reason everybody packed the halls, to go and tell CBSA how it affects us. But now we realize the decision had been already made and the only recourse we are going to have is a political recourse."

Anderson says they are now focusing their attempts on the Minister of Public Safety, Ralph Goodale, and asking him to intervene on their behalf and have the decision reversed before the cuts take effect next Monday at South Junction, Piney and Tolstoi.

"The amount of money the CBSA will save is nothing compared to the amount of money it will cost our residents. So that's the area where a politician has to step in and say, the money you are saving is nothing compared to the cost for everyone else, so, therefore, reverse your decision."

A number of Piney residents are dual citizens and go back-and-forth across the border to work. Many people in the area also cross regularly for shopping, health care and recreation.

The border hours are set to change next Monday.