On Friday, Prime Minister Mark Carney gave an overview of the federal government’s plans to improve border security. Carney stated that one of the measures was the hiring of 1,000 new CBSA officers. “These new officers will help crack down on the movement of stolen goods, illegal guns, and drugs, enforce import measures, and investigate unfair trade practices,” Carney said in a statement put out by his office.
“To help attract and retain the next generation of highly trained border officers,” Carney stated, “the government will also increase the recruit stipend for the CBSA for the first time since 2005,” increasing it from $125 to $525 per week. Additionally, the plan includes expanding benefits for CBSA officers and other frontline employees, such as the option to retire without pension reductions after 25 years of service, regardless of age. Carney stated that the changes to benefits would apply to frontline federal workers, including border services officers, parliamentary protection officers, search and rescue personnel, and both federal and territorial firefighters, paramedics, and correctional officers. Speaking to reporters at a press conference on Friday, Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree stated that the government would spend $617.7 million on hiring additional officers. This change supports their long-term well-being and recognizes their high-stress, high-risk roles. “This funding will support specialized operational and analysts who identify individuals and Entities suspected of having links to organized crime, human smuggling, immigration fraud, and terrorism,” he said.
According to a spokesperson for Anandasangaree’s office, 80% of the additional 1,000 employees will be uniformed CBSA officers, and the remaining 10% will “include intelligence officers, investigators, and security screening officers,” according to Global News. The Liberal government split its border security bill this month, hoping to pass some measures quickly and give more time for scrutiny of more controversial ones.The new bill includes several measures from the previous one that would expand the coast guard’s role, tighten the immigration and refugee system, enhance information sharing on sex offenders and introduce stronger controls on chemicals used to make illicit drugs.
The government is still moving ahead with contentious elements of the first bill that would give authorities new powers to access personal information and search mail.
Civil society organizations have voiced strong opposition to those measures.
Budget will include funds for hiring 1,000 new CBSA officers, Carney says
