PSAC welcomes Liberal leader Mark Carney’s commitments to frontline workers and border security

10 April 2025

The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) and the Customs and Immigration Union (CIU) welcomes the Liberal Party’s renewed commitment to provide equitable retirement benefits for thousands of frontline federal workers. Today, Liberal Leader Mark Carney announced plans to strengthen Canada’s border security through new investments, to hire 1,000 additional border services officers, and additional equipment to be supplied to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), should they form government following the election.

The Trudeau government previously committed to implementing equitable retirement to thousands of frontline federal workers, including border services staff and firefighters before the government was prorogued.

“These commitments reflect a clear recognition of the critical role our members play in keeping people in Canada safe and securing our borders,” said Sharon DeSousa, PSAC National President. “Equitable retirement for frontline workers has been a longstanding priority for thousands of frontline PSAC members.”

PSAC has long called for early retirement eligibility for frontline workers in line with other law enforcement and public safety roles across the country. The Liberals’ commitment would allow frontline federal workers to retire with dignity after 25 years of service without penalties, a significant victory for unions and workers who have been advocating for fair pension treatment for more than a decade.

While the announcement to recruit 1,000 additional CBSA officers is a necessary step forward, PSAC and CIU will also continue to push the government to meet the staffing needs of CBSA, and commit to the construction of additional training facilities to respond to emerging challenges at Canada’s borders.

We also welcome investments in new tools like scanners, drones, and canine units to support the vital work our members do every day to secure Canada’s borders.

“CIU is pleased to see the Liberal Party take CBSA staffing requirements seriously,” said Customs and Immigration Union President Mark Weber. “Ultimately, putting in place a sustainable staffing plan is crucial in the face of emerging border challenges, and we urge all parties to also consider the urgent need for additional training facilities to better meet current and future staffing pressures.”

PSAC calls on all political parties to support this long-overdue pension reform and these necessary investments as part of their election commitments.

We will continue to advocate for an expanded scope of eligibility for early retirement, additional resources to secure Canada’s borders, and the rapid introduction of the legislation following the election.

This article was first posted on the PSAC website.

Bloc Québécois proposes sweeping border measures

10 April 2025

In a far-reaching announcement*, the Bloc Québécois proposed on April 10 a series of sweeping measures to address a range of shortcomings within Canada’s border services infrastructure.

Most striking is the proposal to create a new Border Ministry to oversee CBSA and improve the management of Canada’s border services. While it is too early to comment in detail on this proposal as little is known about what such restructuring would entail for the frontline, it is clear that improving how our border services are managed must be a priority considering current border challenges. It is no secret that there is a significant disconnect between the Agency’s upper echelons and the frontline. Border officers work hard to keep the country safe, and they deserve that those managing the border understand the realities in the field.

Particularly well received by the union are other proposals by the Bloc Québécois that directly address many of CIU’s demands, notably:

Expanding the mandate of border services officers to allow them to patrol between ports of entry along with the RCMP;
Increasing CBSA staffing levels;
Reversing the reduction of hours of service at ports of entry;
More focus on rail inspections.

While we would also have liked to see a clear commitment in this announcement in support of the implementation of 25 and out for our members, CIU applauds the Bloc Québécois for taking note of many of the key points which our union has advocated for over the years. This announcement, along with the Bloc’s recent response to our letter regarding labour rights, demonstrates a real understanding of both border and labour issues. We invite other parties to take note.

*Link in French only.

CIU welcomes Liberal Party renewed commitment to “25 and out”

10 April 2025

Today, as part of its new action plan, the Liberal Party recommitted to amending the Public Service Superannuation Act to expand early retirement eligibility for frontline workers, including border services officers.

The Customs and Immigration Union is glad to see the Liberal Party and Prime Minister Carney reiterate this commitment. Earlier this year, Minister of Public Safety David McGuinty had made clear that “25 and out” was a priority for the government, although the only avenue to implement the required changes was through legislative measures passed by Parliament. Today’s announcement reinforces this commitment, and we look forward to the implementation of these measures when Parliament reconvenes after the elections.

Additional resources for the border

As part of today’s announcement, the Liberal Party also proposed to train 1,000 additional CBSA officers, and to add new resources at the border “to target more suspicious shipments at [Canada’s] land borders, ports, and railyards”. CIU is pleased to see the Liberal Party take CBSA staffing requirements seriously. Ultimately, putting in place a sustainable staffing plan is crucial in the face of emerging border challenges, and we urge all parties to also consider the urgent need for additional training facilities to better meet current and future staffing pressures.

Protecting the labour rights of Canadians: Responses from federal parties

10 April 2025

On April 1, we wrote to the leaders of the main federal parties — the Liberal Party of Canada, the Conservative Party of Canada, Canada’s New Democratic Party, the Bloc Québécois, and the Green Party of Canada — to ask them to commit to safeguarding Canada’s labour rights and protections, including:

Collective bargaining rights for all Canadian unionized workers.
The right to unionize for all Canadian workers.
The Rand formula — the foundation of modern Canadian labour relations and collective bargaining.
Public sector pensions — ensuring that the defined benefit pensions federal public service workers have been working toward remain intact.

We have now started to receive responses from the different parties, and we are sharing them here to help our members have all the information they need to make an informed choice when it comes to these important union and labour-related issues. We will be adding new responses as they come in.

Bloc Québécois — Received 2025-04-04

The Bloc Québécois was the first party to respond to our letter, answering each key points clearly and directly by taking a strong stance in favour of protecting collective bargaining rights, the right to unionize, the Rand formula, and public sector pensions.

Highlights:

“The Bloc Québécois has always been receptive to the demands of the Customs and Immigration Union, supporting a number of measures put forward by the union, such as increasing staffing levels and allowing CBSA officers to patrol outside border crossings.”
“[…] we have systematically opposed any special measure aimed at legislating unionised workers back to work. We believe that job action by employees is important in order to reach a balance of power across the table, otherwise the playing field would be tilted steeply in favour of the employer.”
“The right to unionize is a fundamental right […] We will stand against any attempt to interfere with this right.”
“[…] the Bloc Québécois has always advocated for the Rand formula. As all workers benefit from the gains made by unions, we believe it is only appropriate that everyone pay union dues. We are aware that a number of Conservative groups would like the Rand formula to be abolished, resulting in an erosion of union bargaining power. But we will continue to oppose any attempt to restrict it.”
“[…] we will go on supporting defined benefit pension plans for public sector workers, and consequently, for your members.”

Read the full response here (translated from the original French). We also invite you to read our post about the Bloc’s commitments regarding border security.

Liberal Party — Response to come

No response as of April 23, 2025. In the meantime, we invite you to read our reaction to the LPC’s commitments regarding border services.

Conservative Party — Response to come

No response as of April 23, 2025. In the meantime, we invite you to read our reaction to the CPC’s commitments regarding border security.

NDP — Response to come

No response as of April 23, 2025. In the meantime, we invite you to read our reaction to the NDP’s commitments regarding border security.

Green Party — Response to come

CBSA cancels Indigenous advisor positions, undermining reconciliation efforts

8 April 2025

In a move that calls into question the Canada Border Services Agency’s commitment to reconciliation with First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities, the CBSA Indigenous Affairs Secretariat recently made known its intention to do away with the eight Regional Indigenous Affairs Advisors (RIAAs) positions currently playing a key role as liaison between CBSA and Indigenous people.

Since the release of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s report in 2015, much has been said about the need for concrete actions to be taken to mend the relationship with Indigenous communities. Reconciliation takes time and cannot be accomplished overnight, and rebuilding trust with First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities requires genuine and sustained efforts.

Within CBSA, Regional Indigenous Affairs Advisors (RIAAs) play a core role in ensuring the Agency is equipped to rebuild this trust and work toward reconciliation. These advisors act as an important point of contact for Indigenous communities to help address issues around border processes — including the rematriation/repatriation of sensitive cultural items — and they help bridge the gap between CBSA and Indigenous leaders.

By cancelling the regional advisor positions effective April 16, CBSA will be shifting the responsibility of engaging with Indigenous communities from designated advisors to regional management as a whole. In doing so, CBSA is rejecting important expertise, willfully weakening its ability to maintain proper engagement with First Nations, Inuit and Métis people across Canada, and undermining the work performed by RIAAs until now. In short, by relying on untrained regional management to engage in delicate reconciliation work without adequate support, it is signaling that reconciliation itself is far from a priority for the Agency.

Reconciliation efforts demand serious commitment on the part of those involved, and reestablishing the trust between CBSA and Indigenous people is essential to heal the past and to move forward. The Customs and Immigration Union urges CBSA to genuinely commit to reconciliation and reconsider its decision to cancel the Regional Indigenous Affairs Advisors positions.

Walking in Our Truth Together: Learn about Inuit Ways of Life and First Nations diversity in Modules 5 and 6

3 April 2025

Modules 5 and 6 of PSAC’s online course, Walking in Our Truth Together, are now available. This essential program, rooted in Truth and Reconciliation, explores the histories, rights, and perspectives of Indigenous Peoples.

Module 5, titled “Inuit Ways of Life,” invites you to discover the beautiful culture, important history, and contemporary realities of Inuit people. This module explores their deep connection to the land and their ongoing pursuit of self-determination.

Module 6, titled “First Nations, Many Nations,” explores the diversity of First Nations on Turtle Island. Participants will discover the rich cultures and languages of the many First Nations, the different challenges these groups face today, and the solutions these groups are bringing forward to create a future that truly takes reconciliation into account.

If you’ve started your learning with Modules 1-4, continue your journey by diving into Modules 5 and 6. If you haven’t registered yet, this is a great time to begin. Each module is self-paced, allowing you to learn and reflect on your schedule.

Start learning

About the course

Walking in Our Truth Together is our new online course that invites you to deepen your understanding and take meaningful steps toward reconciliation. Developed in collaboration with Canadian Geographic, this course supports our commitment to reconciliation by increasing awareness of Indigenous realities, honouring resilience, and fostering impactful change.

Over 10-modules, participants will explore crucial topics such as treaties, Indigenous law, Métis history, and the cultural richness of Inuit life. Each module delves into Indigenous history, legal frameworks, and rights, highlighting their ongoing significance in today’s society.

This isn’t just an educational program — it’s a transformative journey toward a more respectful and inclusive future.

“Reconciliation is a continuous process that requires sustained individual and collective action.”
— Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, 2015

This article was first posted on the PSAC website.

Registration open: 2025 PSAC National Women’s Conference

3 April 2025

PSAC’s 2025 National Women’s Conference will be held in person November 21-23, 2025 in Toronto. The theme is “Women United: Breaking Barriers and Building Futures”.

PSAC women members in good standing are invited to apply to be a delegate to this Conference. As a delegate, you will participate in workshops, attend plenary sessions, debate resolutions, and elect five women to attend the PSAC National Triennial Convention in 2027.

Official Invitation

Nomination form

Women members interested in attending this conference as delegates or observers must apply by Friday, May 16, 2025. Delegates are selected by their respective components and regions, with priority given to union leaders and activists working on women’s issues. Delegates selected will be advised by email by June 30, 2025.

You have until Friday, June 6, 2025 to submit a resolution.

How to submit a resolution

If you have any questions about applying or attending the conference, call (613) 560-5457 or contact us by email at conferences@psac-afpc.com.

This article was first posted on the PSAC website.

Protecting the labour rights of Canadians: Letter to federal party leaders

1 April 2025

With the April 28 federal elections fast approaching, we want to help our members have all the information they need to make an informed choice when it comes to important union and labour-related issues. In that spirit, and in light of recent events in the United States, the CIU National President sent the following letter to the leaders of the Liberal Party of Canada, the Conservative Party of Canada, Canada’s New Democratic Party, the Bloc Québécois, and the Green Party of Canada, on April 1, 2025.

Dear Party Leaders,

On March 28, 2025, the Donald Trump administration further eroded the American federal public service with an executive order taking aim at unionized workers, unilaterally removing collective bargaining rights for U.S. national security agencies. This far-reaching executive order is a direct assault on American labour rights, stripping crucial protections from public service employees in such diverse fields as national defence, border security, public safety and justice.

Under normal circumstances, such a malicious decision would be rightfully concerning. But these are not normal circumstances: In addition to his pursuit of dismantling American democracy, Donald Trump’s sustained rhetoric around annexing Canada makes it critical for Canadians to stand up and fight back against any attempts to whittle down our own, hard-won rights from the inside.

Canadian unions and workers have been instrumental in shaping our country’s labour history and landscape. The rights and protections enjoyed by Canadian workers today are a direct result of organized labour’s efforts, both past and present. These rights are essential in maintaining good, secure, well-paid jobs that allow Canadian workers to thrive — and, in the case of Canada’s public service workers, to provide important, much needed services to the Canadian people.

Given the assault on labour rights south of our border, and with the upcoming federal election on April 28, Canadian workers need to know that our leaders are ready to stand on guard to protect labour rights.

As National President of the union representing more than 12,000 Border Services personnel who work to defend our borders and our communities, I write to you today to urge you to protect Canada’s labour rights, including:

Collective bargaining rights for all Canadian unionized workers.
The right to unionize for all Canadian workers.
The Rand formula — the foundation of modern Canadian labour relations and collective bargaining.
Safeguarding public sector pensions — ensuring that the defined benefit pensions federal public service workers have been working toward remain intact.

Will you commit to protecting these hard-won rights? I’m sure you’ll agree: Canadians deserve a leadership who will look to defend their rights as workers and protect their jobs and working conditions in the face of political and economic uncertainty.

The Customs and Immigration Union has long been at the forefront of the fight to defend workers’ rights. As you know, we’ve been vocal about the need for the federal government to expand access to early retirement for frontline public safety workers, including CBSA officers, and we look forward to the next government honouring past commitments to make this a reality. At this juncture, however, events unfolding south of us indicate that the stakes have never been higher, and it is paramount that our political leaders make clear that they understand how vital it is for all workers to see their rights upheld.

I look forward to your response, which we will share with our membership.

Yours truly,

Mark Weber
National President, Customs and Immigration Union

Click here for the PDF version of this letter.

Minister McGuinty highlights “incredible work” of CIU members

21 March 2025

With the border continuing to be at the forefront of current issues, CIU National President Mark Weber met once again with Minister of Public Safety David McGuinty on Monday, March 17, 2025 — the second such meeting in as many months.

This meeting was an opportunity for the CIU National President and the Minister to discuss the union’s recent letter on effective border enforcement. CIU reiterated its call to see the government review the mandate of border officers to allow them to fulfill their duties at and between ports of entry, in cooperation with RCMP officers. Not only does such a measure make sense in terms of reinforcing the security of our borders, but it would also signal that the federal government values the expertise of Canada’s border personnel. While the Minister could not commit to a change in border policy at this time, he was greatly appreciative of the “incredible work” performed by CIU’s members and of their sustained dedication, especially in light of shifting border challenges.

Regarding the government’s commitment to expand early retirement eligibility for frontline officers, Minister McGuinty made clear this remains a priority. However, as recently confirmed by the President of Treasury Board to the union, the only avenue to implement the required changes is through legislative measures passed by Parliament. While this means the government cannot move forward at this time, CIU is confident they will honour their commitment at the earliest possible opportunity.

The CIU National President and the Minister also discussed ongoing issues such as the need to boost CBSA’s training capacity — which the Minister recognized as a priority — and the overuse of students in many CBSA workplaces, notably at Vancouver airport, which resonated with the Minister.

CIU is glad to see the Minister take a direct interest in matters affecting our members, and we look forward to a fruitful relationship.