By David Wiwchar

Port security questioned

Feb 26, 2025 | 9:14 AM

PORT ALBERNI – With security at land borders under increased scrutiny, coastal ports are also being looked at as possible paths of illegal immigration and drugs.

At Monday’s city council meeting, Councillor Deb Haggard said one fifth of crime in Port Alberni comes through the port.

“Because we have a port in our community, it has been identified that approximately 20% of our crime comes through the port,” she said. “Unfortunately we can’t oversee the port because it’s on federal property, but we have to deal with the crime that comes through the port.”

Port Alberni Port Authority CEO Zoran Knezevic says he’s puzzled by Haggard’s statement

“I’m really puzzled. This is the first I’ve heard that 20% of any criminal activity comes through the port,” he said. “I really have a difficult time comprehending, and I would really like to see any evidence. As far as we are concerned, our port is secure.”

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Knezevic said representatives from all Canadian ports met with Canada Border Security Agency officials yesterday, and the federal department will be making a considerable investment in port security.

In his decade with the port, Knezevic says he’s only been contacted once by law enforcement, and it was in regards to a person on a recreational vessel.

Mike Carter, the Port Authority’s director of security said this is an export, not an import terminal, so doesn’t face the same security challenges of container ports.