The Customs and Immigration Union (CIU) and the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) are glad to see the federal government confirm that the amendments to the Public Service Superannuation Act required to expand early retirement eligibility for frontline workers, including border personnel, will be included in the 2025 federal budget.
On October 17, 2025, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a series of measures seeking to strengthen Canada’s borders, including amending the Public Service Superannuation Act, which will ensure that frontline federal workers can retire with dignity after 25 years of service, without penalty.
CIU and PSAC have long called for fair pension treatment for frontline workers, in line with benefits provided by other law enforcement and public safety agencies across the country.
“This is extremely good news for our members,” said CIU National President Mark Weber. “Border officers work in demanding roles and face similar physical risks as other law enforcement officers. I am happy to see the federal government listening to unions and addressing this long-standing inequality.”
“We’re glad the government is following through on their platform promise to provide equitable retirement for frontline workers in the budget,” said PSAC National President Sharon DeSousa. “This must be one of the first orders of business after the budget passes so these essential workers can retire with dignity — now, not years from now.”
At a time when border services are in dire need of more personnel, amending the Public Service Superannuation Act will certainly help public safety agencies such as the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) attract and retain much-needed new employees.
“Frontline workers like border services officers, search and rescue technicians, firefighters, correctional officers, and paramedics risk their lives every day to keep our communities safe,” said DeSousa. “After being forced to work longer than their peers for far too long, it’s time to finally deliver on this long-overdue promise and show that Canada truly values the people who protect it.”
New border measures: A step in the right direction
The October 17 announcement also re-confirmed the government’s commitment to hire 1,000 additional CBSA officers. “This is a strong start towards reinforcing our border infrastructure,” said the CIU National President. “CBSA needs to return to a model emphasizing direct interactions between border officers and people who seek entry to Canada” explained Mark Weber. “Adding 1,000 officers to the frontline must be a priority, and allowing these frontline officers to patrol between ports of entry is the next logical step.”
The government also announced its intention to raise the stipend for CBSA recruits attending the Agency’s college in Rigaud from $125 to $525 a week. This, too, is a good start. While the pre-2005 model — where recruits were paid a salary as officers — would allow the Agency to attract an even wider diversity of candidates, an increase to the stipend has long been needed.
CIU and PSAC hope these positive steps forward signal that the federal government is ready to continue to invest in the people who protect our frontline, and ensure Canada can meet new challenges head-on.
