Overview: Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security: Canada – U.S. Border Security (December 12, 2024)

President's opening remarks

Thank you Mr. Chair for the invitation to appear again before this committee.

Joining me today is CBSA Vice-President Aaron McCrorie from the Agency's Intelligence and Enforcement Branch.

J'aimerais commencer aujourd'hui par quelques observations relatives à la façon dont l'ASFC continue de collaborer étroitement et de façon productive avec ses partenaires, tant au pays qu'aux États-Unis.

Les agents des services frontaliers aux points d'entrée partout au Canada protègent les collectivités canadiennes chaque jour en empêchant les marchandises dangereuses et les personnes d'entrer au pays.

But they don't operate alone. Organized crime is a multi-jurisdictional enterprise. It would be unrealistic to think that one agency, one country can thwart their efforts. That's why the CBSA works in lock step with domestic and international law enforcement partners.

For example, domestically, the CBSA conducted eight joint operations with the Ontario Provincial Police and the Sûreté du Québec this year alone.

Working together, we intercepted hundreds of stolen vehicles and thousands of kilograms of illegal drugs.

Another example: on Monday of this week, CBSA officers in British Columbia made a major seizure of contraband and prohibited weapons, thanks to collaboration with the RCMP's Federal Serious Organized Crime division.

I would like to add that on the same day at John Munro Hamilton International Airport, CBSA also seized about six kilograms of suspected cannabis in three different shipments destined for France and the UK. Total value of the export seizures was almost $43,000.

Let me give you an international example: in 2023, my counterpart with the New Zealand Customs Service wrote thank CBSA for sharing vital and timely intelligence with them that resulted in the largest single drug seizure in New Zealand's history – over 700 kilograms of methamphetamine.

We collaborate with countries around the world to stop the illegal import and export of drugs and other criminal activities. What's more, CBSA officers are deployed in 40 missions in 35 countries, which is our way of pushing our border out and preventing criminal elements from coming in the first place.

Il va sans dire que notre collaboration la plus étroite est celle avec les États-Unis. La coopération entre l'ASFC et les agents du Service des douanes et de la protection des frontières des États-Unis part de loin et s'étend sur tout le continent.

Nous nous parlons régulièrement - aux points d'entrée, à mon niveau, et tout ce qui passe entre les deux.
We have several CBSA officials deployed across the United States, including two officers embedded within the US CBP targeting centre in Washington. They collaborate in the international effort to target and track illegal drugs.

L'ASFC et le SDPF planifient ensemble des investissements en infrastructure. Nous avons harmonisé nos heures de travail aux points d'entrée et coordonné nos opérations.

In some areas, our officers share the same building. Sometimes the border can even cut through a boardroom: one half in Canada, the other in the United States.

For example: our two agencies are co-located at Little Gold Creek in Yukon, where the Top of the World Highway connects Canada with Alaska.

The CBSA's collaboration also goes beyond its strong relationship with the US CBP.

The Agency has many other American partners. These include:

• Homeland Security Investigations,
• the Coast Guard,
• the Drug Enforcement Administration, and
• the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Our partnership with the U.S. is a two-way relationship characterized by frank and open communication and problem-solving.

That's what will serve us well going forward.