My letter to the Right Honourable Justin Trudeau

RE: Bill C-23 Border Detroit/Windsor Border Crossing Michael Potter 3588 King Street Windsor ON. N9C 1P3 226-246-2410 March 26, 2017 Dear Mr. Prime Minister Right Honourable Justin Trudeau I am writing in regards to my experience on March 24, 2017 at 11:20am at the Tunnel Crossing to Detroit Michigan USA from Windsor, Ontario Canada. I was going across to Detroit as my husband and I sometimes do, usually separate to go shopping and go out to a gay bar or two as we don’t get to do this in Windsor. The reason we go separately is we have pets at home and no pet sitter. On Friday March 24, I went in my usual manner to cross the border and stopped at duty free as I always do on my way down when I intend to spend more than 48 hours in the USA. This time however I was pulled into secondary when I mentioned that I had purchased a box of 25 cuban cigars for my husband, which I know I am allowed, I am always very careful of what I buy and claim everything. I also got a text from my husband Matthew Allsopp and they asked who was texting me. I said my husband. This is why I believe I got pulled into secondary and what followed for the next two plus hours horrified me and made me feel so small and less of a human as all my rights were suddenly torn out from under my feet, for the mere fact that I am gay and nothing else. When I got there I was asked to shut off my vehicle and leave the keys on the dash and all electronics in my vehicle. I did so and proceeded inside where I was told to sign in and wait to be called up to the counter. I was eventually called up to the counter and met with attitude and anger from and CBP Officer. He was demeaning and belittling to me from the word go. I was then told to sit down after he took my passport and wallet from me. This went on for about 45 minutes , being called up periodically to answer a question about who Matt was, why did I have a Detroit contact in my phone and where is Olds? I answered everyone of their questions and was then told to sit down again , at around 12:30 I was asked to come into the back room with two officers and I thought ok, they are going to give me my documents and send me on my way, I was wrong! What happened to me next is something I had only seen on television! I was taken into a cell with two officers, asked to remove my belt, my jacket, and shoes, undo my pants , pull my front pockets out completely and stand against a wall with my legs spread and my hand above my head flat against the wall. While one officer frisked and touched every part of my body and the other went through all my pockets and shoes and belt, while being constantly reminded not to move or let my hands move away from the wall. Then I was escorted back out to the main room while the officers outside which I was unaware of were going through my entire vehicle, including my suitcase which was dumped on my back seat, my man bag which was emptied onto my front seat, my glove box and my center console including my pack of cigarettes and ashtray. I had to sit there for another hour being called up occasionally to be asked another series of questions , like who are you meeting and who is Matt and why do you have a contact in your phone from Detroit, what is this website and why are you on it? Shortly after 2 they called me up again after all that I had been through and took me again into the back room, not a cell this time but still intimidating and with three officers now asking me questions, then they told me to go and sit out front again, shortly thereafter they called me up and said they were withdrawing my application to enter the USA. I told the guard that I felt I had been profiled for being gay and he said to me well if you would like to wait another hour you can bring up your concerns with a supervisor. I kindly said no thank you. I was then escorted out of the building and to my vehicle which was a complete and dishevelled mess at this point as the officers did not put anything back or close the front hood, console or glove box when they were done. The officer then walked beside my vehicle to the crossing to make sure I left back through the tunnel to Canada. This whole experience was just demeaning and horrible and then I come home , my nerves shot and I am reading about your bill C23 Borders which would allow US CBP Officers to single minorities such as myself out again and on Canadian Soil. This is wrong and I would like to meet with you or a representative of yours to not only discuss my mistreatment at the border but this proposed bill that is in front of us all. I have read this bill and my husband Matthew Allsopp and I have also both watched all the media reports we can find on BILL C23 Border and also seen your interview and opinion on this, which we happen to strongly disagree with in every way. I do not feel safe with The United States CPB having the same powers on Canadian Soil as they do on United States Soil. I will start a petition and bring this to Ottawa as well if need be. Please reconsider your stance on this Bill. My husband Matthew Allsopp has also sent an email regarding this bill to our Local MP who has not responded in over two weeks. I will be sending a copy of this letter to CTV Toronto, CBC Windsor and Toronto and also OUT TV so they know what can happen to a gay man trying to enter the United States of America and that you are willing to allow this to happen on Canadian Soil to a Canadian. To have our rights torn out from under us, you will only truly know how it feels when it happens to you.7 To be clear I have always been a lawbiding citizen and never touched so much as a marijuana cigarette in my life, I drive under the speed limit and always obey the law 110%. In closing I have voted Liberal since I was 18, I vote in every election and I think you are a great leader for our country and exactly what we need. I am a 46 year old gay male who is happily married and love my country and have always thought very highly and protected here until this happened to me and these USA CPB officers went through my phone, my tablet, my car and quite honestly personally violated my body and any rights I had were then taken away. Please Your Right Honourable Justin Trudeau/ Mr. Prime Minister reconsider this bill, you are only going to take away more rights of people all across Canada and on our own soil! This is not right and not a Canadian thing to even consider. I will drive up to Ottawa this week to meet with you or a representative if you agree to it. Please let me know so I can book my hotel and arrange this. I look forward to speaking with you more Thank you so Much. Michael Potter