CIU National President Mark Weber sent the following letter to the Hon. Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Public Safety, on December 2, 2024.
Dear Minister,
In the wake of the latest American presidential election, the last few weeks have brought renewed interest in the state of Canada’s borders, and in our country’s ability to adequately control the cross-border flow of people along with interdicting dangerous drugs and firearms.
In response to this renewed pressure, your government has signaled it was considering investing in drones and police helicopters, as well as redeploying existing RCMP officers to priority areas. I am glad to see the Canadian government take border security concerns to heart. A number of border threats have become prevalent in the last decade — notably illegal firearms, dangerous opioids, and human smuggling — and investing in our border is paramount.
I would like to suggest an additional course of action that will reinforce our capacity to better protect Canadian communities: Expanding the role of Canada Border Services Agency officers to allow them to act between ports of entry.
As you know, nothing in the Customs Act or the Immigration Refugee Protection Act prevents CBSA officers from performing their duties between ports of entry — in fact, the legislation explicitly provides for it. However, as confirmed to us by the Agency itself, law enforcement between ports of entry remains the purview of the RCMP due to a nearly century-old 1932 Order-in-Council still in effect.
With ongoing border security concerns, it would make sense for your government to revisit this decision and rely on the expertise of CBSA officers to help protect our borders at and between ports of entry. This is something the Customs and Immigration Union has long called for, and the time is right.
I am sure you’ll agree: A properly staffed border is a secure border. As such, in addition to investing in new tools like drones, it is crucial for the Canadian government to ensure a human presence at the border. CBSA officers are already trained with the border in mind and have a keen understanding of relevant laws and regulations. They are also already physically present at areas of importance. When considering the extensive mandate of the RCMP, empowering CBSA officers to act and patrol in between ports of entry in collaboration with RCMP officers is a logical step.
In light of this, I urge you to take the necessary steps — by reviewing the 1932 Order-in-Council and any other regulation necessary — to allow CBSA officers to perform the full extent of their functions at and between ports of entry. Doing so will send a strong signal that the Canadian government understands what is needed to protect our border and our communities.
I remain at your disposal should you wish to discuss this important matter in person, and I look forward to your response.
Yours truly,
Mark Weber
National President, Customs and Immigration Union
Click here for the original PDF version.
