2024 to 2025 Supplementary Estimates (B) issues notes: Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security: Canada – U.S. Border Security (December 12, 2024)

Funding Modernizing Canada's Border Infrastructure: the Land Border Crossing Project

Proposed response

As part of its commitment to border modernization, in June 2021, the CBSA received approval to rebuild up to 24 land border ports of entry. This was supported with a $481 million investment (including $41 million remaining from Budget 2012).

These investments will improve the border crossing experience for travellers, provide border services officers with upgraded infrastructure and technology, and support safety and security.

In July 2024, the Agency received revised project approval from the Treasury Board based on updated estimates and plans for infrastructure upgrades and replacements under the Land Border Crossing Project.

The amendments to these authorities were required as a result of significant cost increases to the projects, driven primarily by inflation affecting the Canadian construction sector at large.

Financial implications

As part of Supplementary Estimates B for its Fiscal Year 2024 to 2025 budget, the CBSA is accessing $23 million of funding toward the Land Border Crossing Project. This funding is part of the already approved project's total budget of $399.3 million available for the CBSA. The 2024 to 2025 funding will be used to start the construction of the St-Bernard-de-Lacolle port of entry project.

The funding is broken down as follows:

• $0.1 million under Vote 1 – Salary
• $0.2 million under Vote 1 – Operating
• $0.9 million under Vote 5 – Capital Salary
• $21.9 million under Vote 5 – Capital

Background

In June 2021, the CBSA received project approval to rebuild up to 24 land border ports of entry (three full service ports and 21 smaller ports). As part of its commitment to border modernization, CBSA is upgrading and replacing ports of entry to improve the border crossing experience for travellers and provide border services officers with better infrastructure and technology.

With an investment of $481 million (including $41 million remaining from Budget 2012) the CBSA committed to rebuilding the St-Bernard-de-Lacolle POE over seven years, completing construction in fiscal year 2028 to 2029.

In July 2024, the Agency received revised project approval based on updated estimates and plans for infrastructure upgrades and replacements under the Land Border Crossing Project. In summary, of the original 24 ports identified in 2021, one of the three full-service ports (St-Bernard-de-Lacolle) and nine of the 21 smaller ports can proceed to implementation under the current budget. The Agency can also proceed with definition activities of the two full service ports under the revised project approval, namely Pacific Highway in British Columbia and St-Armand in Quebec.

The amendments to these authorities were required as a result of significant cost increases to the projects, driven primarily by inflation affecting the Canadian construction sector at large.

The CBSA is partnering with Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) Real Property Services as the main procurement authority and delivery agent on this project.

Financial implications

The below table represents the 2024 to 2025 funding profile (in millions $):

The following full-time employees are associated with this funding:

Breakdown of funding for 2024 to 2025 (in millions $):