INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Van Buren has a close relationship with its sister town, Saint Leonard, New Brunswick, less than a mile across the Saint John River. The two towns cooperate and function, in many ways, as a single community. Area residents do their shopping in either country, depending on price and preference. The volunteer fire departments of both communities assist each other when the need arises. Banks, churches and recreational facilities are often used by citizens of both communities.

This international exchange provides residents of both countries with amenities that might not otherwise be available. Language is generally not a barrier since both English and French are spoken at most businesses in Van Buren and Saint Leonard.

Although an international boundary divides the two communities, to go from one country to the other is as simple as crossing the international bridge. During the six month period from November 1991 to April 1992, the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service reported that there were 726,062 aliens who entered the United States at the Van Buren port. During the same period, there were 204,006 U.S. citizens who crossed into Canada.

Advice concerning importing and exporting can be readily provided due to the presence of both American and Canadian customs in the immediate area.

The local labor market has an international flavor as many area residents, because of nationality and residency, are able to work in both countries. Any questions regarding the use of skilled non-resident labor may readily be answered by U.S. and Canadian immigration officers.