US officials claim move was to curb drug trafficking while Quebec town says it ‘weakens collaboration’ among nations

The US has blocked Canadian access to a library straddling the Canada-US border, drawing criticism from a Quebec town where people have long enjoyed easy entry to the space.

The Haskell Free Library and Opera House is located between Stanstead, Quebec, and Derby Line, Vermont. It was built deliberately to straddle the frontier between the two countries – a symbol of cooperation and friendship between Canada and the US.

The library’s entrance is on the Vermont side. Previously, Canadian visitors were able to enter using the sidewalk and entrance on the American side but were encouraged to bring documentation, according to the library’s website.

Inside, a line of electrical tape demarcates the international boundary. About 60% of the building, including the books, is located in Canada. Upstairs, in the opera house, the audience sits in the US while the performers are in Canada.

MBFC
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    • nkat2112@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
      41·
      17 hours ago

      Or we can be classy and accept our American brothers and sisters. (Moreover, that demographic might have empathy, be cultured, and well educated.)

      Besides, I personally wouldn’t want to fall into that negative cycle of anger that Felon Drink Bleach, Couch Guyliner, Space Karen would desire.

      EDIT: grammar

      • monarch@lemm.eeEnglish
        3·
        16 hours ago

        Hey thank you. I’ve seen a lot of canadian saying the same thing about us that dear leader says about immigrants and its heartning to remember that not everyone falls into the trap of wrath.