Premier urges U.S. not to cut border hours between Saskatchewan and Montana

Premier Brad Wall says he’s concerned there could be an economic impact if U.S. customs officials cut operating hours at a border crossing between Saskatchewan and Montana.

Wall says the Port of Raymond on the American side and Regway on the Saskatchewan side is one of the few 24-hour border crossings in the province.

It’s the only 24-hour port between Montana and Saskatchewan and is designated as a commercial entry.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency said this wee that the crossing is to be closed from midnight to 6 a.m. starting in mid-April for a 60-day test period.

Wall says two Montana senators and a congressmen are also pressing the U.S. government to keep the border open.

The premier notes that 60 per cent of Saskatchewan exports go to the United States, with five per cent going through that border.