OP-ED PIECE: "Canada’s New Government Delivers On Its Promise To Improve Canada’s Border Security"

September 08, 2006

as published in Niagara This Week

Following on our campaign promise and Budget 2006 commitment for a safe, secure and efficient border, Prime Minister Harper outlined our plan last week to improve border security across this country.

Living in the Niagara area, we know the importance of having such a close proximity with our neighbours to the south. Each year, millions of visitors travel through the four Canada-U.S. border crossings in our region alone, providing a vital role in our local economy. These international spans are not only important to the Niagara Falls riding and the Niagara Peninsula, but also to all of Canada. For example, the impact of Fort Erie’s Peace Bridge on Canada’s international trade cannot be overstated.

Nationally, an average of 260,000 travelers are processed into Canada each day. Unfortunately, some of these travelers pose a risk to the border officers at border crossings.

Canada’s New Government is committed to ensuring that our borders are protected from those who threaten the security of Canada, while ensuring that legitimate commerce or travel is not delayed. As a long-time resident and your MP, I am pleased to report that our Government is moving ahead on this issue.

Strengthening Canada’s border security means a positive change for Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers. In the 2006 Budget, $101 million was committed over the next two years to do the following:

• 400 new permanent border CBSA officers will be hired, trained and equipped so that they are no longer required to work alone.
• 4,400 CBSA officers at land and marine Ports of Entry (POEs), as well as officers that perform enforcement functions inland, will be trained and equipped with side-arms.

The CBSA manages, controls and secures Canada’s border at approximately 1,200 points across Canada. Border Services Officers face a growing challenge in intercepting potential threats, including high risk individuals, firearms, explosives and drugs.

In 2004, there were 621 weapons seizures, 8,711 drug seizures valued at $290 million, and currency seizures from suspected proceeds of crime valued at approximately $12,978,867. In addition, work-alone situations currently occur at 138 border sites, 95 of which are land port of entries. These situations put CBSA officers at increased risks.

Prime Minister Harpers’s recent announcement shows that Canada’s New Government believes in secure and efficient borders. In just under seven months in office, Canada’s New Government has made significant progress in addressing the priorities that matter to Canadians.

When Parliament resumes on September 18th, 2006, we will continue to move forward and deliver real results for Canadian families and taxpayers.