CBSA questions and answers: Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security: Foreign Nationals (December 2, 2025)

Question period note: Removals

Key messages

The CBSA removed over 18,000 inadmissible people last fiscal year—the highest in a decade and an increase from approximately 16,000 the year before.

The Border Plan provided $55.5 million to support immigration and asylum processing and to increase CBSA's capacity to reach 20,000 removals for fiscal years 2025–2026 and 2026–2027.

Budget 2025, and the Border Plan, puts Canada's safety at the forefront by hiring 1,000 new CBSA officers, some of which will be dedicated to removals.

The CBSA is already well on its way to meet this objective having already enforced nearly 14,000 removals since April 1, 2025.

Removing individuals inadmissible to Canada for reasons of security and criminality is a priority for the CBSA who removed over 700 such individuals since April 1, 2025, a 20 per cent increase over last year.

If pressed – Immigration warrants

CBSA arrests, detains and removes foreign nationals who should not be in the country and who pose a security threat to the public.

When an inadmissible foreign national does not report for removal, CBSA will initiate an investigation and issue a warrant.

Immigration warrants are sent to the Canadian Police Information Centre so that local police may notify CBSA if they encounter an individual subject to an immigration warrant.

Over 550 CBSA personnel are dedicated to immigration investigations and removals. They are focused on cases that pose a risk to security and public safety.

CBSA also has a tip line for the public to share information about the whereabouts of those who are trying to evade the law.

Last year, CBSA closed 542 immigration warrants involving inadmissible individuals with criminal convictions and 254 so far this year. They also removed 905 individuals inadmissible for criminality, organized criminality and security.

Individuals subject to immigration warrants include cases of people that are presently serving a criminal sentence who's whereabouts are known. Warrants are issued to ensure that CBSA is notified upon completion of their criminal sentence.

Background

Issue

Enforcing removal of people who do not have the right to stay in Canada.

Information to support key messages

The process for determining inadmissibility begins with the issuance of a 44 report that outlines the inadmissibility and referral of the report to an authorized decision-maker. Depending on the inadmissibility ground and status of the individual, a Minister's Delegate may issue a removal order or the case may be referred to the Immigration Division at the IRB for an admissibility hearing.

The removal of foreign nationals that are found inadmissible as per the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) is an integral part of the CBSA's security mandate. Individuals may be inadmissible for a variety of reasons including security; criminality; organized crime, international human rights violation, non-compliance with the IRPA, etc..

The CBSA prioritizes removals based on a risk management regime that assigns the highest priority to cases involving security, organized crime, crimes against humanity, and criminality. These are followed by failed refugee claimants as second tier, and all other inadmissible persons as the lowest priority.

All individuals who are subject to enforcement action and ordered to be removed from Canada have access to due process before the law. They may seek redress through various processes at the IRB (appeals), the Federal Court of Canada (judicial review) and if eligible, at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (pre-removal risk assessment if they feel they may be subject to persecution in their country of origin, and humanitarian and compassionate applications for permanent residence). Please note that there are legislated factors that allow or deny access to some of these processes.

The CBSA's removal efforts may be hindered and delayed by impediments such as uncooperative foreign nationals who do not provide necessary information or documentation to allow for their removal, or foreign governments that refuse the return of their nationals, or fail to promptly issue timely travel documents. The CBSA works closely with foreign governments, Canadian officials abroad, and other departments to resolve these challenges, and participates in international forums to identify joint strategies and best practices to achieve timely removals of inadmissible persons.

The CBSA has an inventory of high-risk individuals, including those with serious criminality, whose whereabouts are unknown and Canada-wide immigration warrants have been issued for their arrest.

A Wanted by the CBSA web page was launched in 2011 and remained active until 2023, during which a total of 159 individuals were featured on the webpage. Some of these individuals were located and arrested as a result of tips received from the public.

Public posting of certain immigration warrants for removal was used as a last resort by CBSA in order to locate individuals with serious inadmissibility concerns (e.g., serious criminality involving violence). The web page was removed in 2023 because investigative tools and methods had evolved, making it no longer necessary for operations.

The Fall Economic Statement (FES) provided $55.5 million over three years to the CBSA to support front-end immigration and asylum processing activities, and achieve a 25% increase in the number of removals enforced. This includes reducing inventory backlogs, increasing removal capacity and addressing the anticipated increase in associated removals litigation. The funding will primarily be used to secure regional staff and ensure the program has necessary resources to achieve 20,000 removals in fiscal year 2025–2026 and fiscal year 2026–2027.

In response to the significant increase in individuals making asylum claims in Canada, the CBSA aligned its resources to enforce removal orders in a more efficient and timely manner. A Removals Action Plan has also been developed to further enhance program delivery and address outstanding issues, including prioritizing cases to overcome impediments to removal, leveraging existing resources more efficiently, and engaging priority countries to expedite removal processes.

Canada Border Services Agency conducts extensive investigations to locate individuals wanted for removal who have criminal records pursuant to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA). This generally includes offences that may range in severity to non-violent crimes such as fraud over $5000 to more serious offences, such as assault causing bodily harm.

Foreign nationals facing removal may include those who are still serving a criminal sentence or have pending criminal charges. Until the criminal matters are resolved, they cannot be removed. CBSA may issue a warrant for arrest, to ensure that CBSA is notified following the completion of their criminal custody.

The wanted inventory is updated daily, as individuals are located and consequently removed, while new cases are added as the CBSA works through its removals inventory. However, the inventory reflects a cumulative total cases over many years.

It is important to note that Canada's immigration system does not allow for the proactive arrest and detention of every person subject to enforcement action. The IRPA contains provisions for the CBSA to arrest and detain those who pose a danger to the public and/or who are unlikely to appear for an immigration process. Often, persons subject to immigration enforcement are cooperative until they have exhausted all appeal mechanisms and then fail to report. As well, in many cases, foreign nationals who left Canada without confirming their departure remain in the wanted inventory until sufficient information is obtained through a case by case examination of exit data and information gathered from other sources.

Over the last two fiscal years (2023–2024 / 2024–2025), approximately 4000 individuals entered CBSA's wanted for removal inventory. During that same period, the Agency 34,500 people were removed from Canada.

As of November 2025, there are over 30,000 individuals in the CBSA's removal-in-progress inventory, which is more than double that of five years ago, due to a cumulative growth in failed refugee claims.

Please find below removals enforced by fiscal year:

What is the CBSA's plan to hire 1,000 officers

In response the Governments commitment to reinforce our borders, the CBSA will recruit, train and deploy 1,000 new CBSA officers across our country. We will bolster our capacity across the border continuum to address enforcement and oversight in the commercial, traveller and trade streams, strengthening the CBSA's ability to detect, disrupt and deter illegal activity.

There will be officers deployed to ports of entry, internationally and at inland offices where targeting, trade investigations, intelligence, inland enforcement and criminal investigations take place.

We expect that approximately 80% of new CBSA officers will be recruited as border services officers, trained by the CBSA College in Rigaud, Quebec, and deployed across the country to ports of entry. The CBSA College will begin the intake of new BSO Trainees to support this initiative in 2025–2026.

We also expect that approximately 20% of the 1,000 CBSA officers will carry out other operational roles. These include targeting centre officers, trade and recourse officers, inland enforcement officers, criminal investigators, intelligence officers, international liaison officers, chemists and engineers. Some will come from the border services officer ranks, others will come from other parts of the CBSA and from public safety partners in the federal government. We will also look to hire veterans of the Canadian Armed Forces as well as graduating students from universities.

If pressed: On training

The CBSA College will train most of the 1,000 officers. Through the Agency's Force Generation program, we are able to resource the frontline personnel required to carry out our mandate. The primary part of the program is the Officer Induction Model (OIM) which is comprised of three phases: Recruitment, the Officer Induction Training Program (OITP) and the Officer Induction Development Program (OIDP).

During the recruitment phase, prospective candidates go through very rigorous pre-screening that can take between 9 to 12 months, before they are invited to attend the CBSA College through the Officer Induction Training Program (OITP). The OITP is an 18 week program inclusive of 4 weeks of online training and 14 weeks of in class training at the CBSA College in Rigaud Quebec. Upon graduation from training, BSO Trainees are deployed to the regions, and supervised by experienced officers through the Officer Induction Development Program (OIDP) for up to 12 to 18 months before being permanently appointed to the rank of a Border Services Officer.

Complementary to the OIM, training will be delivered to experienced CBSA officers in the other operational roles, in alignment with established National Training Standards for their position. The Standards outline the training expectations for various job communities such as inland enforcement officers and criminal investigators, enabling the development of officers into specialized functions, through skill enhancements beyond the scope of the OIM program. The CBSA College, through its many satellite campuses delivers most of the training to support these communities, alongside on the job training specific to certain roles (e.g international liaison officers will receive specific training from Global Affairs Canada before their deployment).

Our comprehensive training and development program ensures individuals have the skills and experience to do the jobs being asked of them. We do not compromise our qualification standards in the hiring process as many of these officers will continue their careers with the Agency, taking on many other operational roles.

If pressed: Where will these people work?

These CBSA officers will work across the country at our ports of entry, inland offices, national offices, and internationally. This investment is not going towards internal services, which will be absorbed by the CBSA.

Additional background:

The CBSA implementation plan will leverage the full capacity of the CBSA College annually at the Rigaud campuses and all satellite campuses across the country, allowing us to fulfill existing attrition requirements, as well as expedite the delivery of new officers to the operations.

Through ongoing recruiting efforts, we have a pool of 300 vetted and qualified candidates that we can invite to begin training at any given time in the next unfilled cohort.

We continue to hire students, 400 new and returning students per year, who have become an essential feeder group to our indeterminate officer core. They are a complementary component of our workforce, as they provide temporary relief to manage fluctuations in seasonal traveller and commercial volumes. They complete trained at the CBSA College or in regional satellite campuses.

36 border services officer recruits began their in-house training at the CBSA College in Rigaud on November 6, 2025. They are expected to graduate on ebruary 27, 2026. An additional 18 officer recruits began their distance learning in November 2025 and will begin their in-house training at the College on December 11, 2025. They are expected to graduate on April 2, 2026.

As of January 2026, the CBSA College will run up to 10 cohorts per year until 2028–2029, to fulfill the commitments made in Budget 2025, with a new cohort beginning training every 5 weeks.

Overview of BSO training

1. Officer Trainee Entrance Exam (OTEE)

The candidate must pass an online exam that assesses their reasoning skills, writing skills, analytical thinking and client orientation. They will have 135 minutes to complete 117 multiple-choice questions where 60% correct in each competency is required to be successful. If they have passed the OTEE in a previous selection process, they do not need to retake the exam.

Interview

If successful at the OTEE, the candidate will attend an MS Teams video interview that consists of situational questions and role-playing scenarios. Previous knowledge of the CBSA is not required. Proof of a valid full driver's license without restrictions will be requested and verified prior to the interview.

• Candidates are assessed on the competencies below and must demonstrate each of these to the level required in the assessment to be considered successful
  • dealing with difficult situations
  • decisiveness
  • effective interactive communication
  • judgment
  • personal integrity
  • values and ethics

2. Validation of Prerequisites

If successful at the interview, the candidate will be required to provide proof of the following before they can complete the psychological assessment (MMPI):

• Canadian citizenship or permanent residency
• High school diploma or employer-approved alternative (note: the CBSA does not consider an acceptable combination of education, training, and/or experience as an alternative. The NORP is currently using the GCT2 as the PSC approved testing equivalent)

3. Psychological Assessment (MMPI)

A psychologist will evaluate the candidate's ability to handle stress and suitability to carry a duty firearm.

• The MMPI will consist of two parts on separate days
  • First, a written exam (2-4 hours total)
  • followed by an in-person interview

If deemed unsuitable, the candidate is removed from the selection process. Only a determination of "suitable" or "not suitable" will be provided. A signed consent form before the assessment explains that beyond this result, no feedback, test scores, or other information can be provided.

4. Physical Abilities Test (PAT)

The PAT replaces the PARE from previous selection processes and is performed during the Officer Induction Training Program (OITP) in-residence training.
Candidates will be invited to a mandatory PAT information session once they have been found suitable at the psychological assessment.

5. Firearms Safety Courses

To ensure candidates can safely handle a firearm during training and on the job, they must complete the Canadian Firearms Safety Course (CFSC) and the Canadian Restricted Firearms Safety Course (CRFSC).

Once the candidate reaches this step in the selection process, they are given 3 months to complete both courses. Failure to do so may result in their removal from the selection process.
Although a Possession and Acquisition License (PAL) is not required, it is accepted as proof that both courses have been completed.

6. Medical Exam (Category III)

Candidates will receive an invitation from CBSA with a form to complete which will be provided to Health Canada (HC). HC will then contact the candidate directly to schedule the appointment to determine if the candidate is medically fit to train and work as a BSO through the completion of a confidential health questionnaire and medical exam by a doctor.

7. Second Language Evaluations (SLE)

If the candidate applied for a bilingual position (English and French only), they must complete the SLEs and achieve the intermediate level (BBB).
The CBSA only accepts results for SLEs administered by the PSC.

8. Security Clearance

Candidates need an Enhanced Reliability Status plus Secret Clearance to train and work as a BSO. CBSA Security relies on external partners to complete the security screening.
The CBSA will email the candidate results after they complete the telephone integrity interview.
All candidates must go through this process, even if they have security clearance from another government department or law enforcement agency.

If the candidate is successful at the CBSA Officer trainee selection process, they placed in our pre-qualified pool of OITP ready candidates and can be invited om the next unfilled cohort.

OITP Phase 1 – Online Training

When candidates are selected for OITP, they will receive an invitation and will be assigned to their work location/POE. While the CBSA does our best to post candidates in their preferred region (1st, 2nd, 3rd choices), they may be posted elsewhere based on POE staffing vacancies and the Agency's needs.

• The 3 to 9 month waiting  period to be invited to participate at OITP is dependent on cohort availability
• Invitations are sent:
  • approximately 6 to 12 months after they complete all the required assessments; and
  • about 5 weeks before Phase 1 starts

They will complete four weeks of online training at home. Which is a mix of self-learning and instructor-led video sessions. It includes quizzes, activities, assignments, collaborative discussions, and forum postings.

OITP Phase 2 – Canada Border Services College

The candidate will then complete 14 weeks of training at the Canada Border Services College in Rigaud, Quebec.

They will learn about:

• the primary inspection process
• the secondary inspection process
• customs
• immigration
• food, plant and animal
• policies, procedures and laws that we administer and enforce
• seizures, detentions, personal searches and arrests
• how to determine the admissibility of persons and goods
• defensive tactics
• duty firearms

Overview of the BSO training

Figure 1 - Text version

Journey to the frontline

Here's what the Officer Trainee Development Program selection process looks like, including wait times for receiving assessment results
The order of some assessments arranged by the CBSA may slightly vary.
Selection process duration approx. 12 to 18 months (Stages 1 to 9)

Stages:

1. Officer Trainee Entrance Exam (OTEE)
2. Interview
3. Validation of Prerequisites
4. Psychological Assessment (MMPI)
5. Physical Abilities Test (PAT) information Session
6. Firearms Safety Courses Results: vary by provider
7. Medical Exam (Category III)
8. Second Language Evaluations (SLE)
9. Security Clearance
10. Officer Induction Training Program (OTIP)
    • Recruit – No salary, weekly allowance plus paid accommodations and meals
      • Online Training – 4 weeks
      • Canada Border Service College – 14 weeks
11. Officer Induction Development Program (OID Program)
    1. Unpaid - OITP graduation to OID Program – 2 weeks
    2. FB-02 Officer Trainee Salary - Development at port of entry – Approx. 12 to 18 months
12. Graduate - FB-03 BSO Salary

What is CBSA's duty to accommodate

In 2016, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) completed arming its workforce at ports of entry and in intelligence and enforcement functions. CBSA officers perform a range of duties in support of the safety and security of Canada, and in most modes, carrying a duty firearm is a condition of their employment.

As a member of the core public administration, the CBSA addresses workplace issues in adherence to the Public Service Employment Act, the Federal Public Sector Labour Relations Act, and other relevant legislation. It develops related policies in alignment with collective agreements, jurisprudence, and Treasury Board Secretariat of Canada directives that apply across departments.

The Agency takes its responsibilities and obligations stemming from the Canadian Human Rights Act (CHRA), the Employment Equity Act, and the Accessible Canada Act very seriously. When someone can no longer be fully armed or meet the requirements of related job functions, the CBSA has a duty to accommodate them. The Agency also has a duty to spend taxpayer money wisely and to ensure that employees meet the essential requirements for positions which are classified, allocated, and funded on the assumption that they will be occupied by an armed officer supporting enforcement activities.

The duty to accommodate is a legal obligation to prevent or remove discriminatory impacts on employees based on protected grounds such as disability. It requires the CBSA to provide reasonable accommodations, which might include employment in a non-armed position.

The employer's obligation to accommodate stops when it becomes undue hardship, a threshold determined by factors including health, safety, and cost. The CBSA is not required to permanently exempt an employee from doing the essential duties of their position or create work that is not necessary. Additionally, accommodation measures are subject to periodic review.

An employee must cooperate with their employer's attempt to accommodate their needs, and rejecting a reasonable accommodation offer can bring employment to an end.

We are committed to working with employees requiring accommodations. The Accommodation page on Canada.ca provides additional information.

Please note that injury-on-duty leave is granted to border services officers in accordance with Article 37 of the Border Services (FB) Collective Agreement and the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat's Injury-on-duty Leave Policy.

Will CBSA put officers at Valleyfield

Decisions relating to port infrastructure and supply chain fluidity are broader than CBSA – and rightly so. To that end, we work with Transport Canada, International Trade and others in the federal and provincial systems to determine how best to support trade goals.

In terms of ports, they provide data on their business modeling, source of their cargo and ability to make necessary investments in infrastructure for CBSA.

The Port of Valleyfield does not have a permanent CBSA officer presence. However, CBSA officers do currently travel to Valleyfield to provide services in line with the licenses that the port holds currently.

The Port of Valleyfield currently has a Commercial Vessel license, which allows them to import bulk goods and receive commercial vessels, not including international marine containers.

In addition, the Port of Valleyfield has a valid sufferance warehouse license, which allows for the importation of non-containerized cargo include: steel coils/plates, general cargo (project/industrial machinery/transformers), general cargo – bulk (bauxite) and pipes. CBSA officers to conduct examinations of commercial goods in their warehouse as needed.

On first port of arrival (FPOA)

The Canada Border Services Agency's resources are strategically allocated to respond to the threats and service needs at ports of entry, including shipping ports and rail yards.

Dedicated facilities for the examination of sea containers are already in operation in the country's five major seaports. These facilities have state-of-the-art tools and trained officers to enable the examination of imported goods and ensure that all requirements of program legislation are met, in order to protect the health, safety and security of Canadians.

Ensuring control of a commercial container port requires new infrastructure, Border Services Officers resources, detection technology/equipment and training to ensure the integrity of the program.

This includes radiation portals to screen all containers entering Canada. Following the events of September 11, 2001, Canada and the United States signed the Container Security Initiative, which aims to detect and interdict terrorists, weapons of mass destruction, radiation threats, narcotics and other contraband arriving in marine containers as early as possible in the supply chain. U.S. Safe Ports Act mandates 100 percent screening by imaging and radiation detection for U.S.-bound marine containers.

As a result of this agreement, the CBSA screens all containers for radiation at its five marine ports, which represent 99% of all international container traffic into Canada.

Should Valleyfield seek to become a first port of arrival that can receive international marine containers, they would need to submit an application to the CBSA that includes a clear business case and meet all Government of Canada requirements, such as providing the CBSA with a Container Examination Facility.

What is the status of implementation of the border plan

• We have hired 30 Enforcement Case Officers to support removals
• The Border Action Plan includes 75 frontline resources:
  • 33 frontline Border Services Officers (BSOs)
  • 3 Detector Dog Services teams
  • 12 regional laboratory chemists
  • 7 Intelligence Officers
  • 7 Criminal Investigators
  • 6 Targeting Officers
  • 7 engineers
• 33 Border Services Officers began their in-house training at the CBSA College in Rigaud on November 6, 2025. They are expected to graduate February 27, 2026. The 3 dog handlers are currently in training at the CBSA College and are expected to graduate on February 27, 2026
• 2 engineers were hired this fiscal year and are currently supporting operations. The other 5 engineers, for a total of 7, will be hired in 2026–2027
• 4 chemists were hired this fiscal year and are currently supporting operations. The other 8 chemists, for a total of 12, will be hired in 2026–2027
• The remaining frontline resources will be deployed in future years as follows:
  • 2026–2027:
    • 7 intelligence officers
    • 7 criminal investigators
    • 6 targeting officers

The investment plan has five pillars for specific action

All Border Action Plan commitments with respect to CTB

• In 2025–2026, the CBSA is deploying:
  • 15 Raman devices
  • 1 Regional Satellite Laboratory
  • 3 Mobile Large-Scale Imaging devices
  • 1 Pallet Large-Scale Imaging device
  • 1 Fixed Large-Scale Imaging device
  • 1 Small-Scale Imaging X-ray
  • 33 Border Services Officers
• In 2026–2027, the CBSA plans to deploy:
  • 30 Raman devices
  • 2 Regional Satellite Laboratories
  • 25 Ion Mobility Spectrometers
  • 6 Mobile Large-Scale Imaging devices
  • 3 Pallet Large-Scale Imaging devices
  • Up to 6 Mobile Backscatter Imaging devices
  • 10 Small-Scale Imaging X-rays
  • 3 Detector Dog Services teams
  • 12 chemists
• In fiscal year 2027–2028, the CBSA plans to deploy:
  • 30 Raman devices
  • 25 Ion Mobility Spectrometers
  • 2 Pallet Large-Scale Imaging devices
  • 14 Intelligence resources
  • 6 Targeting Officers
  • 3 Detector Dog Services teams
• In fiscal year 2028–2029, the CBSA plans to deploy:
  • 25 Raman devices
  • 3 Detector Dog Services teams

Planned Detection Technology deployments (all sources of funds) – multi-year table

What has CBSA been doing about stolen vehicles

The Canada Border Services Agency works very closely with police of jurisdiction to identify and recover stolen vehicles.

To ensure the coordination of efforts and effective information sharing, we met with representatives for Police departments in judications heavily effected by vehicle theft 20 times over an 18 month span. I personally convened upwards of police chiefs monthly to take stock of our efforts.

The Canada Border Services Agency is an essential source of information for local law enforcement and the Canada Border Services Agency respond to 100% of the information requests received.

• The Canada Border Services Agency centralized the process of information requests and provided a single point of contact for Police of Jurisdictions to respond to an increased volume of requests of information from law enforcement partners
• In 2024, the Canada Border Services Agency processed 2,758 requests for information from the various Police of Jurisdictions
• So far in 2025, 2,598 requests have been processed

Canada Border Services Agency has also been part of Joint Intelligence Group and task forces in Ontario and Quebec over the last years focused on stolen vehicles. This collaboration has been exceptionally important and has helped drive our results:

• In 2024, the Canada Border Services Agency intercepted 2,277 stolen vehicles at various ports across the country
• As of October 6, 2025, 1,220 vehicles have been intercepted since the beginning of the year
• These interceptions were largely driven by referrals form policing partners and the Canada Border Services Agency's intelligence driven targeting. This highlights the importance of strong partnerships and coordinated efforts between the Canada Border Services Agency, provincial and municipal police services, and other key stakeholders
• The Canada Border Services Agency is working closely with its partners to exchange on latest trends, and adjusting processes, as required

Figure 2 - Text version

Canada Border Services Agency Stolen Vehicle Interceptions from 2016 to 2025

2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024	2025
351	346	463	766	1,244	1,345	1,348	1,806	2,277	1,220

What does CBSA do to screen rail

CBSA risk assesses all goods, including plants and animals, and persons coming into the country. We take this responsibility very seriously.

In rail mode, like in other modes, carriers submit commercial information on their shipments crossing the border. Targeting officers refer high risk targets for examination by Border Services Officers. Frontline officers can conduct manual inspections or use available detection technology, such as x-ray imaging, to non-intrusively inspect high risk containers.

Background

Commercial rail serves as the cornerstone of Canada's transportation infrastructure, facilitating one-third of U.S. exports to Canada and generating over $31.5 billion in cross-border trade value, including substantial flows from Mexico via the United States.

In 2024–2025, 1.87 million rail cars entered Canada, processed through the CBSA's 28 designated Railway Depots and 97 inland warehouses.

Cargo process flow:

• Prior to the freight train arriving in Canada, the carrier submits Advance Commercial Information to the CBSA. The CBSA's National Targeting Centre has the ability to conduct a preliminary risk assessment of the goods
• At the land border, which is Rail's first point of arrival, the carrier reports its arrival, fulfilling its reporting requirements under Section 12 of the Customs Act. This triggers the commercial release of goods as long as commercial accounting declarations have been submitted and goods are not referred for examination or other government department review
• Train cars and cargo requiring examination for health, safety and security risks that cannot be examined at First Point of Arrival will move onwards to what's called the First Point of Operational Intervention—this is where the referred rail car is examined by BSOs.
• Rail cargo that has not been commercially released at the first point of arrival will move onwards to the port of final destination. Once the cargo arrives at the destination location, the warehouse operator transmits a warehouse arrival notification to the CBSA, triggering the commercial release or referral of the goods. Border Services Officers conduct commercial release processing and/or goods examination, including coordination with other government departments to ensure import requirements are met. Once complete, the goods are released to the importer

VP McCrorie regarding rail from the September 25 transcript

Caputo: what percentage of export containers are scanned at the border?

McCrorie: I couldn't give a breakdown of import vs. export, but I'd suggest around 1% to 2% of containers are examined. Need to distinguish between physically examined or scanned with x-rays, it's an important distinction; we use advance commercial information, whether inbound or outbound, and use a new targeting tool developed specifically in response to auto thefts which allows us to identify which containers should be subject to physical exam.

"The CBSA undertook additional work following the Summit thanks to special funding received, including the deployment of scanning technology in the Greater Toronto Area, or GTA, to improve our capacity to examine export-bound freight containers at intermodal facilities. …in the Toronto area rail yards, we deployed two scanners to look randomly for vehicles. We did 6,500 scans so far this year and have not found any stolen vehicles as a result of these."

"Not all cars that are stolen in Canada are bound for the export market… but we're seeing a decline in the number of vehicles we've intercepted at the border."

DeBellefeuille: In the National Action Plan to Combat Vehicle Theft, it says that new border services officers are to be hired to be deployed at ports, rail terminals, and intermodal facilities. The plan is one year old and will mark its first anniversary in November 2025. Mr. McCrorie, can you tell us exactly how many new officers have been deployed under the National Action Plan?

McCrorie: Very quickly, probably around 30 FTs have been hired, but the ones that really the 25 FTs that are operational. We had 10 new intelligence and targeting officers hired, and then 15 additional commercial exam officers hired to deploy to Montreal at the port, in the Toronto area rail yards, Port of Halifax and in the Port of Vancouver as well. They're in place…. We probably have on average 40 people working at the marine and rail examination centre at the Port of Montreal. With the additional resources another 6 were added.

How many asylum seekers have come to Canada through ports of entry in 2025

• Asylum claims in air: 9,351
• Asylum claims in land: 18,775
• Asylum claims between the ports of entry (based on people brought to CBSA by PoJ): 1,458
• This represents a 42% decrease in overall claims since last year
• The most claims were at the Lacolle port of entry – so far this year we have had approximately 13,695 claimants (an increase of 116% over last year)

All data is as of October 6, 2025

Chart showing claims over last 5 calendar years (CBSA only)

Figure 3 - Text version

Number of claims from 2021 to 2025 (CBSA only)

2021	2022	2023	2024	2025
13,052	64,551	72,841	59,441	28,840

What is CBSA doing about fentanyl

Over a year ago, I appointed a senior operational executive charged with coordinating our activities relating to opioids – from targeting to information sharing to collaboration with allies and Canadian police forces.

We continue this work in force, including through focused efforts, such as Operation Blizzard, where we dedicated resources over 4 weeks period and looked at 691,000 packages in air, postal, marine and land modes.

The results were: 67.5% of all seizures made were of illegal narcotics coming to Canada from the United States, while 17.5% were of narcotics going to the United States. These included:

• 116 fentanyl seizures (1.73 kg), intercepted in British Columbia, Québec and Alberta. Of these seizures, 1.44 kg were on route to the United States and 0.26 kg were destined to other countries
• 17 meth seizures (5.38 kg and 89 pills)
• 24 cocaine seizures (13 kg)
• 26 heroin seizures (0.19 kg)
• 17 opium seizures (38.84 kg and 11 bottles)
• 48 MDMA seizures (2.32 kg and 82 pills)
• 249 cannabis and cannabis related product seizures

The United States was the country of destination or origin for over 85% of all seizures made during the Operation.

What happened with the IT outages

Beginning on September 28, 2025, the CBSA experienced multiple outages to major IT systems that resulted in delays in travellers and commercial processing.

The CBSA works hard with its partners to ensure any IT systems outages are restored quickly.

A joint report of the findings was submitted, key causes were identified and a plan was put forward to better-prevent and mitigate future outages.

Budget 2025 has committed to reducing the cost of using and maintaining CBSA equipment and IT assets by decommissioning legacy software applications.

In the event of an outage, the CBSA makes every effort to ensure an adequate number of primary inspection lines are open, while at the same time maintaining normal operations such as customs and immigration services, secondary examinations, enforcement activities, and commercial processing.

Throughout an outage, the CBSA collaborates closely with airport and bridge authorities to facilitate the flow of travellers and commercial goods.

Safety and security standards are upheld at all times, with border services officers working to verify travellers' identities, receive their declarations, and conduct any additional screening warranted by each traveller's individual circumstances. The CBSA works closely with airport management to expedite traveller processing, minimize delays, and complete verifications as required.

The CBSA has a System Outage Contingency Plan that was developed in partnership with industry. The plan outlines requirements for reporting commercial transactions during an outage. It also provides guidance on the electronic submission of data once the system is back online. The CBSA accepts paper documentation during an outage and waives Administrative Monetary Penalties for Advance Commercial Information related infractions resulting from the outage.

In the event of an outage of airport Primary Inspection Kiosks, travellers are re-directed to the primary inspection lines for manual processing.

As requested by the Minister of Public Safety, the CBSA and SSC provided a report to their respective Ministers within 30 days of the late September outages. The CBSA and SSC closely examined the key causes of the outages and have developed a plan to prevent and mitigate future outages.

CBSA/SSC Plan includes:

• quality controls related to key IT changes
• collaboration between CBSA, SSC and air industry and trade chain partners in planning I changes
• communications with industry partners
• awareness of real world business impacts resulting from a an outage of CBSA systems
• integration of IT change and incident management among government and industry partners
• operational protocols used at ports of entry when an system outage occurs

10 point plan

1. Complete root cause analyses of all three incidents and apply recommendations and lessons learned
   • Shared Services Canada (SSC) and the CBSA have completed a joint investigation
2. Establish joint IT change management committee with CBSA, SSC and air industry partners
   • Launch weekly change planning meetings with industry partners, starting the week of Oct. 20 with all airport authority CIO teams. Expand subsequently to domestic airlines, and then establish same with trade chain partners
   • Publish weekly forward schedule of changes to our industry partners
   • Strengthen existing CIO-level engagement with air industry partners
   • Establish CIO-level engagement with commercial and trade partners
3. Improve CBSA and SSC change and incident management
   • Integrate incident change and management processes between the CBSA and SSC (immediately)
   • Establish CIO approval of all changes impacting the CBSA (immediately) and inform CBSA President and Shared Services Canada Deputy Head in advance of all changes
   • Ensure that all CBSA services, systems and applications, and their infrastructure dependencies are well-documented and understood (including certificate expiry dates)
4. Conduct joint audit of IT Change Management and Incident Management by CBSA and SSC Chief Audit Executives, to evaluate effectiveness and make recommendations for improvement
5. Improve industry partner communications and engagement channels and protocols
   • Document and enhance all industry partner communication processes and protocols regarding IT changes and incidents within the CBSA and between the CBSA and its industry partners
   • Review and strengthen the quality of messages to industry partners
   • Review and adjust active (live) communications tools such as MS Teams to ensure operational effectiveness during incidents
6. Review and bolster the CBSA's IT systems and IT infrastructure hosted by SSC
   • SSC with CBSA to review the IT infrastructure that supports the CBSA's systems and applications and develop a plan to strengthen it, improve resiliency to changes and incidents
   • SSC and CBSA to improve automated monitoring of key systems and alerting of issues
   • CBSA and SSC to thoroughly review the CBSA's IT systems and applications that underpin key services and inter-operations with industry partners to determine ways to improve resiliency to changes and incidents
7. Adjust the Agency's Investment Plan to prioritise technical debt reduction
   • Ensure that areas of aging systems and technologies are clearly identified for renewal in the CBSA's IT Investment Plan
8. Adjust the Agency's crisis/emergency management plan and procedures based on recent events
   • Review CBSA and IT branch crisis management plans and procedures to ensure that experiences and lessons from these incidents are incorporated
   • Conduct table-top exercises to test the Agency's readiness for future major IT outages
9. Improve the Agency's outage protocols and business continuity plans to better prepare for digital disruption
   • Review Travellers program outage protocols to:
     • Reinforce best practices for CBSA operations and airports to manage during PIK outages and ensure consistency across regions, airlines to manage during Interactive Advance Passenger Information/Passenger Protect Program outages
     • Revisit and update outage protocols procedures to continue traveller processing during IT outages
     • Revisit and update airport/airline procedures for to ensure alignment with CBSA processes/requirements
     • Ensure that all BCP documentation is up-to-date and available
   • Review Commercial program outage protocols and business continuity plans to incorporate best practices and innovations found during these incidents and harmonise across regions
   • Review intelligence business continuity plans and adjust for any gaps found related to IT system outages, if required
10. Review federal government stakeholder communication protocols to increase broad awareness
    • Building on recent updates to the communication protocols, examine means of engaging and updating GC partners regarding significant CBSA incidents, outages and events, and revise or strengthen where required

What is in the new bill that relates to CBSA

The changes to the bill include removals of the following sections. All other previous provisions remain:

• Canada Post amendments (entirety of Bill C-2's Part 4)
• Prohibition on large cash transactions (entirety of Bill C-2's Part 11)
• Lawful access basic and subscriber information provisions (entirety of Bill C-2's Part 14)
• Supporting Authorized Access to Information Act (entirety of Bill C-2's Part 15)
• Safe harbour provisions (entirety of Bill C-2's Part 16)

The following CBSA provisions are included in the new bill and mirror what was included in C-2:

Requirements for owners and operators provide space and infrastructure for the CBSA to do export examinations

The proposed amendments to the Customs Act will bring facilities obligations in line with the creation of the Agency and its current mandate while aligning with the powers with respect to exported goods provided through amendments to the Customs Act in 2018.

These amendments will align the facilities obligations with export authorities authorizes that already exist in the Customs Act.

The proposed amendments will mirror obligations that already exist for imported goods, such as infrastructure or facilities to conduct export exams, and require transporters and warehouse operators to allow access to premises under their control for the examination of goods destined for export.

• Amendments will obligate owners and operators at certain ports of entry/exit to provide, equip and maintain facilities free of charge for any purpose related to the administration and enforcement of the CBSA's mandate, which includes the examination and detention of goods destined for export
• Amendments will give the CBSA access to spaces further away from the port of entry/exit. The most effective place to perform export searches is at transportation hubs where containers are gathered, such as rail yards and warehouses before they reach a port. Performing export examinations at transportation hubs would reduce bottlenecks at busy ports of entry/exit and would respond to industry requests to perform CBSA services at warehouses located inland. This provision will mirror current obligations for goods destined for import

It is important to be clear that we currently conduct export exams in all modes and owners and operators have been good partners.

The proposed amendments would not significantly broaden the scope of what is already being provided to the CBSA by port owner/operators, transporters and sufferance warehouse operators with respect to imported goods.

Rather, they are intended to align import and export requirements to ensure greater consistency and would provide additional clarity regarding expectations for those locations in order for the CBSA to carry out export-related functions, including infrastructure considerations should those groups seek to expand or create new locations.

Other elements of the bill will help improve the CBSA's work relating to asylum seekers

Two new ineligibilities would be created making claims meeting those conditions ineligible to be referred to the Immigration and Refugee Board and help Canada better manage access to the refugee system.

• The first new ineligibility would apply if a claimant entered Canada one year before making a refugee claim. This ineligibility will apply only if the first entry into Canada was made on or after June 25, 2020 (when entry-exit records began)
• The second applies if a claimant entered Canada irregularly from the United States and made a claim after the 14-day time limit passed under the application of the Safe Third Country Agreement (STCA). Currently the STCA only applies if the claim is made within 14 days of entry
• In both cases, asylum seekers would still be eligible to apply for a pre-removal risk assessments to respect the principle of non-refoulement (international principle whereby countries cannot remove someone to a place where their life or freedoms would be in jeopardy)
• It is expected that most of these claims will be made at IRCC offices; however, some claims may be made through CBSA at ports of entry

The proposed new authorization for the appointment of representatives to assist minors or those who cannot understand proceeding at both the CBSA and IRCC will promote fairness throughout the whole asylum process. Currently, only the Immigration and Refugee Board has this authority at its hearings. Appointed representatives will be beneficial in CBSA removal proceedings to ensure the foreign national has support to fully participate in the process.

The bill proposes that removal orders will come into force the same day as when a refugee claim is withdrawn allowing the CBSA to enforce removal orders immediately for persons who withdrew their claim and wish to leave Canada. Currently officers need to wait 15 days.

The bill also seeks to introduce a new requirement that admissibility hearings and refugee claim hearings can only be held at the Immigration and Refugee Board if the person is present in Canada. CBSA interventions in hearings would therefore, be for individuals in the country and not abroad, which is consistent with the perspective that the asylum system provides protection for persons in Canada.

Finally, the bill would also create provisions to specify that various information and documents required to support a refugee claim are provided before the Immigration and Refugee Board hearing. This will support the CBSA's ability to conduct security screening and investigate potential inadmissibilities. Currently, a claim is referred as soon as the initial eligibility decision is made. The proposed Minister's Due Diligence provisions will establish a period of time before the referral to the Immigration and Refugee Board can take place to ensure the collection and review of materials.

• As claims will be pending Minister's Due Diligence, additional provisions will address when claimants fail to meet requirements in order to start abandonment of a claim before referral and to also allow CBSA or IRCC officials to accept withdrawals of refugee claims before referral
• Additional improvements include provisions to consolidate all the required documents into one single application online for consistency regardless of whether the claim is made at inland IRCC offices or CBSA ports of entry

Annex A: Bill C-12 - Strengthening Canada's Immigration System and Borders Act

Will be verified against the transcript.

• Unless specified in the table below, the clause was carried unamended
• Totals:
  • Adopted: 18
  • Defeated: 28
  • Inadmissible: 11
  • Not moved: 7
  • Removals related

Why are you making small businesses get a CARM account

The CBSA Assessment and Revenue Management (CARM) is a new system for importers, designed to facilitate the collection of duties and taxes for commercial goods imported into Canada, which successfully came on line last year. With its launch, CARM became the official system of record for the collection of duties and taxes for commercial goods imported into Canada.

Those who seek to import goods into Canada need to register in CARM. When they do, they are able to use an online self-service tool to see their account, register for various CBSA programs, receive notifications, provide the CBSA with supporting documents, view account statements, make payments, and perform other activities.

Importers are also provided the opportunity to either pay their duties and taxes at the time of release when their goods enter the country or enroll in the release prior to payment (RPP) program and post financial security, which allows them to defer payment of duties and taxes.

When CARM was launched, the CBSA also implemented regulatory amendments to require all importers (regardless of size) to post financial security rather than the broker posting security on their behalf, which was the previous practice. Once importers are enrolled in CARM, they can delegate day-to-day business to their customs broker. Small businesses still have the option to pay duties and taxes upon entry into Canada, but if they want the privilege to defer payment of duties and taxes, they are required to enroll in the release prior to payment program and post financial security.

The rationale for this is simple. With the broker-based security model, the CBSA had difficulty collecting on delinquent accounts and as such, had to write off debts for duties owing and in many cases, had limited to no recourse to collect on broker bonds. The regulatory changes to the Release Prior to Payment model that were introduced with CARM are designed to clarify and strengthen the accountability for the payment of duties and taxes owing. The intent is to reduce bad debt write-off by holding the importer and not the third party agent or customs broker responsible for any outstanding debt.

Currently, over 191,000 importers have enrolled in the CARM client portal and the volume of RPP enrollment represents 98.52% of the total release volume.

Infrequent importers, who import only a few times per year, represent a slower enrollment rate as these importers may be seasonal or may never import again and will have no need to register in CARM or release prior to payment. A portion of these infrequent importers are also non resident importers, based in other countries, and may be less aware of CARM and the release prior to payment program, which is why we are amplifying our outreach to spread awareness. Nonetheless, the CBSA continues to see a trend of small businesses enrollment increasing daily.

We understand that for some small businesses that import a few times a year, it may be more challenging to transition to CARM and post financial security. As such, we have worked with them to provide flexibility:

• Provided a 210-day transition period that gave importers the time to post their financial security
• Offered specific transition measures for a one year period, which have just been extended until December 31, 2025 or longer, to allow for the use of a broker's financial security for first time and one time importers and those who are in the process of registering in CARM and for release prior to payment
• Offered contingency measures that allowed brokers to use their financial security for time-sensitive and perishable products, as well as goods that contribute to an individual's health and well being
• Increased engagement efforts with a focus on small importers
• Offered help-desk services by phone and by webform to help clients enroll in CARM and a dedicated line for brokers who are helping their client register in CARM

Frequent user feedback and steps to improve

CARM challenges for importers

Frequent feedback received from the trade community on CARM falls into the following categories. A number of steps have been taken to improve where possible.

Monthly statistics

What is CBSA doing about firearms

The CBSA's firearms strategy is focused on the identification, interdiction, and regulatory enforcement of firearms. This includes denying entry of illegal firearms or firearm parts into Canada. The CBSA also criminally prosecutes firearms smugglers and where they are not Canadian, denies them entry to or removes them from Canada.

Over a year ago, I appointed a senior operational official responsible for firearms. Her mandate is to make sure our many activities in CBSA were linked up, that we were engaging with police forces and that police forces were aware of CBSA's considerable authorities in this space and actively engages with US counterparts to improve timely information sharing. She also works with other federal agencies (RCMP and PS) to advance efforts to strengthen policy and legislation impacting enforcement at and beyond the border.

The CBSA has established three Integrated Firearms Enforcement Teams (The Ontario Firearms smuggling Enforcement Team (OFSET), The Prairie Integrated Firearms Enforcement Team (IFET) and the Québec Weapons Smuggling Integrated Enforcement Team (WSIET). The teams are composed of criminal investigators, intelligence officers, and firearms intelligence analysts. These cross-functional teams investigate, arrest and prosecute firearms smugglers.

Recognizing the threat of privately manufactured firearms (aka PMF's or ghost guns), the CBSA's has also bolstered efforts to target and interdict firearm parts arriving at the border by:

• Coordinating national intelligence through the National Targeting Center, the Firearms Intelligence Desk and, Regional Intelligence field offices
• Increasing the number of search warrants executed by our criminal investigators across the country to stop the proliferation of PMFs in Canadian communities
• Educating front line officers on concealment trends and risk indicators f both firearms and the parts that are used to manufacture firearms
• Utilizing and continuing to invest in detection technologies capacity (such as handheld devices, small scale and large-scale X-ray machines, and detector dogs)

In addition to CBSA independent efforts, we work alongside domestic and international law enforcement partners, such as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), other Canadian police agencies, and the U.S government (U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives) in joint efforts to prevent and prohibit those who engage in criminal activity from entering Canada.

• Example of these efforts includes: tracing all eligible firearms seized through an information sharing Memorandum of Understanding with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). This allows the CBSA and our US counterparts to investigate those engaging in firearms smuggling
• Sharing near-real time information on border seizures with the RCMP and US to support the identification of trends and persons engaged in firearm smuggling activities
• In 2024, the CBSA seized over 930 firearms and 17,200 prohibited weapons. 90 percent of all firearms seized at our border coming into Canada came from the U.S.
• Between 2020 and 2024, 3,295 firearms seized at our border came from the U.S.

What happened to the 600 foreign nationals

• That is not a stock. Individuals come into our removals inventory and CBSA removes people all the time. Last year, we removed 18,000 individuals – the highest in 10 years and we are on track to exceed a commitment to remove 20,000 people this year
• But let me explain the 599 you are referring to. They are people who have been charged with and/or served sentences for criminality, ranging from theft to murder. Of course the 19 people who have served sentences for the most serious offenses are CBSA's priorities
• We actively work with police forces from across the country to track these individuals down
• Last year, we closed 542 immigration warrants involving criminals – 254 so far this year. We also removed 905 individuals inadmissible for criminality, organized criminality and security
• Last month, we removed 77 people with criminality from Canada
• I don't want to minimize this but it important context – almost 50% of the people in the number you cite were involved in non-violent, more minor offenses
• We are looking for everybody and every day we are finding people and removing them

Breakdown of criminality:

Current Status (This is a snapshot in time, there is continual movement of cases in and out of this inventory.)

Removals by region

The CBSA collects removal data for all of Canada and organizes the data according to 7 regions.

CBSA stats and facts

2025 Stats and Figures January 1 to October 31, 2025

Budget – A and B base (source of info: 2025–2026 Main Estimates)

2025–2026 CBSA budget:

• A-Base (Ongoing) funding: $1,983 million
• B-Base (Temporary) funding: $729 million
• Statutory (Employee Benefit Plan) $281 million
• Total Budget: $2,993 million

FTEs – uniformed, operational and support

Approximately 17,000 employees
over 8,500 front line
1,200 ports of entry and in 36 countries.

Ports of entry – air, land, marine

• 117 land-border crossings – 61 on a 24/7 basis
• 13 international airports – 10 on a 24/7 basis
• 27 rail sites
• 3 Major Ports (Halifax, Montréal and Vancouver) numerous marinas and reporting stations

IT Contracts – number and amount and decrease over past years (source of info: Q1 report to TBS)

36 IT consultants as of August 15, 2025, compared to 250 in June 2023.

The reduction in consultants reflects the CBSA's steady decline in overall contract use. The amount of active contracts has reduced by 55% between April 1st 2023 and April 1st 2025 from 2275 to 1027.

Executives

• 44% of VPs/RDGs have served on the frontline (8 out of 18)
• 35.7% of the Executive cadre (at all levels) worked on the frontline directly supporting the CBSA mandate at some point in their career (91 out of 255)
• 48.2% of the Executive cadre (at all levels) have either worked directly on the frontline and/or occupied a role that required supervision of frontline employees (123 out of 255)
• 66% of VPs and RDGs are women (12 out of 18)

Travellers in 2025 (to October 31, 2025)

• 70,445,632 travellers:
  • Air: 31,131,262
  • Highway: 35,871,858
    • including 4,691,210 truck drivers
  • Marine: 3,214,526
  • Rail: 226,590
• 29,038,273 travellers used Primary inspection kiosks
• 3,505,851 travellers used Advanced Declaration
• 17 additional primary inspection kiosks across Canada
• 2.1 million NEXUS members

Commercial goods imports in 2025 (to October 31, 2025)

• 24.8 million releases of goods into the commerce of Canada
• 127 million courier shipments
• $223.1 billion Trusted Trader value for duty imported
• $41.4 billion total duties and taxes assessed (customs duties, Special Import Measures Act [SIMA] duties, surtaxes, GST and excise taxes)
• Commercial by the numbers:
  • Highway: 4,267,922 trucks
  • Air: 3,191,036 shipments
  • Marine: 1,688,846 containers
  • Rail: 518,317 cars

Food, plant and animal 2025 (to October 31, 2025)

3,145 Agriculture and Agri-Food Administrative Monetary Penalties (AAAMP) issued for food, plant and animal import violations totaling $2,391,400 in penalties.

Enforcement in 2025 (to October 31, 2025)

44,486 seizures, coming in to Canada (from US and other countries), including:

• 585 seizures for a total of 742 firearms seized
• 6,948 seizures for a total of 13,576 weapons seized
• 27,320 illegal drugs seizures
  • Cocaine (including coca leaves, coca paste, cocaine and cocaine crack): 3,243 kilograms
  • Heroin: 87 kilograms
  • Fentanyl: 2.6 kilograms
  • Other opioids (including opium, methadone, morphine and morphine base): 922 kilograms
  • Methamphetamines: 693 kilograms
  • Other drugs, narcotics and chemicals: 26,497 kilograms (this number excludes cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, other opioids and cannabis)
• 13,421 cannabis seizures totaling 42,439 kilograms
• 2,874 tobacco seizures totaling 783,424 kilograms
• 81 child pornography seizures

Firearm seizures in 2025 (to October 31, 2025)

• Total firearms seized: 742
• Total firearms seizures: 585

Weapons seizures in 2025 (to October 31, 2025)

• Total weapons seized: 13,576
• Total weapon seizures: 6,948

Breakdown of LO-Intervened off-boards

Alternatives to Detention (ATDs) Statistics

Allowed to Leaves issued at POEs

• If an officer at a port of entry examines a foreign national and the person is believed to be inadmissible, the officer may in some circumstances allow the person to voluntarily withdraw their application to enter Canada and allow them to depart
• Each case will be assessed individually and a decision will be based on the specific facts of the case and whether the objectives of the IRPA would be best achieved without seeking a formal removal order

Inadmissibility (A44) Reports (serious inadmissibility grounds)

• The above represents A44 reports for the following IRPA inadmissibility grounds: security, human rights violations, serious criminality, criminality, organized crime, sanctions and transborder criminality
• A finding of inadmissibility begins with the officer making an allegation by preparing an inadmissibility (A44) report which is supported by evidence
• A44 is then reviewed by another official (Minister's Delegate) who may issue a prescribed removal order if the inadmissibility allegation is within their jurisdiction or refer the A44 report to the Immigration and Refugee Board for an admissibility hearing

Stolen vehicles

Anti-dumping (As of October 1, 2025)

As of October 1, 2025, the CBSA has conducted 31 anti-dumping and countervailing investigations across eight product groups, spanning the mineral oil, paper, plastic, and predominantly steel industries, involving 15 countries, primarily China. Of the 31 investigations, 24 are ongoing.

Active Investigations:

1. Thermoformed Molded Fibre Tableware
   • Plates, bowls, and take-out containers made from recycled paper pulp. They're pressed into shape (molded) and often used as eco-friendly disposable tableware
2. Oil Country Tubular Goods
   • Steel pipes used in the oil and gas industry to drill wells and bring resources to the surface. This includes casing, tubing, and drill pipe that must withstand extreme underground pressure
3. Cast Iron Soil Pipe
   • Heavy, durable iron pipes used to carry waste and water in buildings and underground systems. They're common in older plumbing and commercial construction because they reduce noise and last a long time
4. Thermal Paper Rolls
   • Paper used in cash register receipts and credit card machines that darkens when heated by the printer head
5. Steel Strapping
   • Strong, flat steel bands used to bundle and secure heavy products—like lumber, steel coils, or bricks—during shipping or storage
6. Carbon and Alloy Steel Wire
   • Long, thin strands of steel made by drawing carbon or alloy steel through dies. Used for making nails, fencing, springs, cables, and many industrial products
7. Polyethylene Terephthalate Resin
   • A type of plastic resin used to make clear beverage bottles, food containers, and synthetic fibres like polyester clothing. It's lightweight and recyclable
8. Renewable Diesel
   • A fuel made from animal fats, vegetable oils, or other organic materials. It's chemically similar to regular diesel and can be used in diesel engines without blending, but it produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions

Global data pack

Drugs

Key Takeaways (Overall Quantities in grams)

• Despite covering only January to October, the 2025 seizure total (73,190,672g) already exceeds the total reported for all of 2024 (52,056,505g). This represents a 41% increase
• Compared with 2023 (79,352,888g), seizure numbers in 2024 (52,056,505g) were lower, reflecting a downward trend. This is a decrease of about 34%
• 2020 recorded the lowest amount of seizures (30,150,272g). This is likely due to low traveller volumes during the COVID-19 Pandemic
• In 2022, 55,618,092g of seizures were recorded. This then surged to 79,352,888g seized in 2023. This represents approximately a 43% increase

Key Takeaways (Overall - Count of Seizure Actions)

• 2023 recorded the highest amount of seizure actions (39,057)
• Seizure activity decreased in 2024 (28,339), compared to the 2023 count (39,057). This is a decrease of about 27%
• Although 2025 is not yet complete, the year's seizure count (27,314), is already close to the full year total of 2024 (28,339)

The most drug seizures were made in X Region, the least in X Region

• From January 1, 2020 to October 31, 2025. GTAR recorded the highest amount of drug seizures (149,377,824g)
• From January 1, 2020 to October 31, 2025, NOR recorded the least amount of seizures (728,744g)

Specific commodities where import seizures are up are/Specific commodities where import seizures are down:

Specific commodities where export seizures are up/ Specific commodities where export seizures are down:

The five year trend for drug seizures is:

The five year trend for precursor seizures is:

Firearms

Firearms and Weapon Seizures

CBSA Criminal Investigation Prosecution Outcomes:

Charge/Prosecution Acceptance Rate:

Since April 1, 2024, over 95% of the charge recommendations made by the CSBA to the Crown following firearms and weapons investigations undertaken by the CBSA, have resulted in charges approved and prosecutions launched in court.

Results of CBSA search warrants away from the border (as part of criminal investigations):

Stolen vehicles

Stolen vehicle trend

Undeclared currency

Currency and Suspected Proceeds of Crime Seizures

Total value of currency and suspected of proceeds of crime seizures from January 1, 2020 to October 31, 2025

Asylum Statistics

Number of recommended offboards by CBSA ILOs

The number of asylum claims in the last 10 years are:

Percentage increase 2016–2025: As of November 17, 2025, the percentage difference for both agencies combined between 2016 and 2025 is an increase of 334%…that number will increase as we reach the end of the year. (CBSA: 177% increase; IRCC: 477% increase)

Percentage increase 2022–2025: As of November 17, 2025, the percentage difference for both agencies combined between 2022 and 2025 is an increase of 13% …that number will increase as we reach the end of the year. (CBSA: 51% decrease; IRCC: 162% increase)

The number of asylum claims at Lacolle are:

Number of IRB asylum hearings with CBSA representation

CBSA's annual removals:

CBSA's removal inventory (defined as removals in progress and wanted) is:

Projected removal inventory (including wanted and in progress) assuming at least 25,000 removals per year

Assumptions:

1. IRB maintains calendar year 2024 decision volume (approximately 73,000 decisions) and acceptance rate (63%). Although the new Asylum target for RPD is 80,000 to 85,000
2. The CBSA enforces 25,000 removals per year (Note that the CBSA is currently funded for 20,000 in fiscal year 2026–2027, and 16,000 for future years)
3. Impact of other other inadmissibility cases (e.g., overstays) is not included
4. The CBSA will enforce 20,000 removals in 2025
5. Bill C-12 impact on inventory is not included

Current top 5 recalcitrant countries:

CBSA's security screening inventory vs completed screens per year:

Intake:

Results:

CBSA's Detention Capacity is:

CBSA's detention rates:

CBSA's detention rate as a percentage of asylum claims

Trade Statistics

Anti dumping and subsidy investigations – opened and concluded

Sanctions Implementation – number of sanctions in place being enforced by CBSA

There are currently 12 countries against which there are import sanctions and 22 countries against which there are export sanctions. In recent years, the Government of Canada has increased its use of sanctions, currently imposing sanctions on 355 Harmonized System (HS) codes, as well as all goods being imported from North Korea and Syria. The CBSA's responsibility for exports is broader and requires ensuring compliance for all exports to North Korea, a wide range of industrial goods to Iran, and all exports to specific entities (people and businesses) in 19 other countries (e.g., Myanmar, Sudan, Iraq). The current sanctions against Russia are the most extensive with 935 different HS codes covering industrial and luxury goods.

Duties and Taxes Compliance Statistics

Duties and taxes collected

Number of Compliance Verification Audits Concluded(?) and Amounts Assessed

Additional Information:

Number of Compliance Interventions and Amount Assessed:

Strategic Export Enforcement - Sanctions and Counter-Proliferation Referrals for Enforcement by Counter-Proliferation Operations Section (CPOS), CBSA

IEB data pack

Removals Inventory – 5 Year

• The Removal in Progress inventory had grown by 61% over the last five years; due to efforts to increase removal volumes under the Border Plan, the inventory increased by only 2% from November 2024 to 2025
• Over five years, the Wanted inventory has fluctuated year to year, but grown by less than 1% overall
• Over the past five years, the wanted for removal inventory grew by 238 cases, while during the same period, the CBSA removed over 81,000 inadmissible foreign nationals from Canada
• Of the total 25,540 individuals in the Removal Not Possible inventory, 12,894 are subject to ADR/TSR stay (see table 11)
• CBSA removal efforts may be hindered and delayed by impediments such as uncooperative foreign nationals who do not provide necessary information or documentation to allow for their removal, or foreign governments that refuse the return of their nationals, or fail to promptly issue timely travel documents. The CBSA works closely with foreign governments, Canadian officials abroad, and other departments to resolve these challenges, and participates in international forums to identify joint strategies and best practices to achieve timely removals of inadmissible persons

Definitions

• Not Yet Actionable inventory includes individuals that fall outside of the enforcement stream including those pending refugee determination, a percentage of which will eventually enter Removals In Progress inventory, and convention refugees
• Removal Not Possible inventory includes individuals that cannot currently be removed, including those pending Federal Court appeals, criminal charges, or Pre-Removal Risk Assessments, or serving a sentence of imprisonment
• Wanted inventory includes individuals who failed to appear for removal proceedings and the CBSA is working to locate
• Removal In Progress inventory includes individuals who can be processed for removal; at this stage, CBSA works with the individual and foreign countries to overcome challenges to removal, including the issuance of travel documents

Removals Inventory – 12 Month

• The Removal in Progress inventory has remained relatively stable, fluctuating by up to 5% per month and increasing less than 1% over the year due to increased efforts on removals since December 2024
• The CBSA prioritizes removals based on a risk management regime that assigns the highest priority to cases involving security, organized crime, crimes against humanity, and criminality. These are followed by failed refugee claimants as second tier, and all other inadmissible persons as the lowest priority

Removals Inventory with Criminality – 12 Month

• About 2% of the Wanted inventory cases involved criminality or serious criminality consistently over 12 months
• For the Removal in Progress, the percentage of cases involving criminality has slowly risen over the past year, reaching 4.3% in November
• Foreign nationals who are still serving a criminal sentence or have pending criminal charges cannot be removed until the criminal matters are resolved. These cases are subject to a legislated stay of removal and are found in the Removal Not Possible inventory, which is why the proportion of cases with criminality is significantly higher than other categories. CBSA may issue a warrant for arrest to ensure that CBSA is notified following the completion of their criminal custody

Removals Caseload with Criminality – 5 Year

• Since 2023, the number of cases involving criminality has increased 13% for Wanted inventory, although the rate has remained at 2.2%
• The number of criminality cases increased by 29% for Removal in Progress inventory, but the rate has dropped from 5.2% to 4.3%
• Criminality categories include:
  • 36 (1) Serious criminality for
    • having been convicted in Canada of an offence under an Act of Parliament punishable by a maximum term of imprisonment of at least 10 years, or of an offence under an Act of Parliament for which a term of imprisonment of more than six months has been imposed
    • having been convicted of an offence outside Canada that, if committed in Canada, would constitute an offence under an Act of Parliament punishable by a maximum term of imprisonment of at least 10 years
  • 36 (2) Criminality for
    • having been convicted in Canada of an offence under an Act of Parliament punishable by way of indictment, or of two offences under any Act of Parliament not arising out of a single occurrence
    • having been convicted outside Canada of an offence that, if committed in Canada, would constitute an indictable offence under an Act of Parliament, or of two offences not arising out of a single occurrence that, if committed in Canada, would constitute offences under an Act of Parliament

Warrant Inventory

• The Immigration and Refugee Protection Act allows for issuance of a warrant for arrest and detention of an inadmissible individual who either poses a danger to the public or is unlikely to appear for an immigration proceeding, including removal
• Immigration warrants are sent to the Canadian Police Information Centre so that local police may notify CBSA if they encounter an individual subject to an immigration warrant
• Individuals subject to immigration warrants include cases of people that are presently in criminal detention. As such, their whereabouts are known. Warrants are issued to ensure that CBSA is notified upon completion of their criminal detention
• The CBSA has 40,407 active warrants, including 1,578 with criminality, and of the these, 500 are in criminal detention
• Over the past two fiscal years (fiscal year 2023–2024 and fiscal year 2024–2025), there were 7,041 warrants issued and during the same period 9,578 warrants were concluded (e.g., individuals located and arrested or confirmed to be out of Canada). In fiscal year 2025–2026, 4,706 warrants were issued and 3,231 warrants concluded. Over the past several years, CBSA has located and arrested on average 2,800 wanted individuals per year

Removals Enforced

• In the past year, CBSA removed nearly 22,000 inadmissible foreign nationals, of which 845 (or 3.9%) involved criminality
• The Border Plan provided $55.5 million to support immigration and asylum processing and to increase CBSA's capacity to reach 20,000 removals for fiscal years 2025–2026 and 2026–2027
• As of November 24, 2025, the CBSA has enforced 14,597 removals in this fiscal year, on pace to exceed the target for fiscal year 2025–2026

• In the first 11 months in 2025, the CBSA has completed over 20,000 removals, which is already higher than any of the past five years
• Of these, approximately 4% involved criminality

Escorted Removals

• CBSA officers assess the risk of each case being removed and, for higher risk cases, recommend that escort officers accompany the foreign national to their destination to ensure the safety and security of the public, aircraft, and the foreign national themselves. Escort officers may also be deemed necessary by the airline, or to accompany a medical professional for foreign nationals with complex medical needs
• In the past year, CBSA conducted neary 1,600 escorted removals, representing 7.3% of the total removals

• The U.S. accounted for nearly 60% of the total escorts; the majority of these (92%) occurred at land POEs
• The top ten destination countries account for 80% of total escorted removals

Travel Document and Recalcitrant Countries

• As of November 24, 2025, the CBSA has received 895 Travel Documents (TD) for Removals this fiscal year, with over 1,500 pending applications
• As part of its Border Plan, the CBSA has implemented escalation measures and adopted a whole-of-government approach to engage countries that are recalcitrant to removals
• India: Following successful senior-level discussions between Canada and India, TD issuance has significantly improved since October 30, 2025, with India issuing 77 documents in less than a month
• China: As result of HQ and regional engagements, TD issuance has somewhat improves, and communication between the consulates/Embassy and the CBSA has increased
• Bangladesh: Executive level meetings this year, including with the High Commissioner, and between a GAC ADM and the Bangladesh Foreign Secretary, have failed to produce any improvements. Unresponsive to working level communications from the CBSA, and very poor document issuance metrics
• Nigeria: The High Commission is a good working-level partner, and documents are issued on a regular basis; however, the process for includes in-person interviews with Ottawa-based consular officials resulting in significant delays and administrative burden for the CBSA to coordinate these interviews on behalf of individuals located nationwide. The current process is not sustainable given future Nigerian case volumes expected to enter the removal inventory in the coming years
• Ghana: Despite working-level meeting with acting High Commissioner at beginning of year, no noticeable improvements in TD issuance; a follow-up request for action was sent in November
• Pakistan: Despite ongoing challenges, the CBSA experienced some success in securing travel documents from Pakistan. There have been two executive level meetings with the High Commissioner in the past year; and removals are a topic of discussion at a meeting with the Minister of the Interior in Islamabad, being attended by the IRCC DM, the CDN HOM, and the CBSA Regional Director
• Algeria: CBSA/GAC increased senior level engagement and have delivered six diplomatic notes to the Algerian Ambassador. GAC has had two meetings with the Ambassador, and the Canadian HOM in Algiers has met with her Algerian counterparts. These efforts have resulted in the issuance of six travel documents including 4 priority cases
• Rwanda: Executive level engagement was conducted in November 2025, requesting that Rwanda expedite the issuance of the travel documents
• Ethiopia: Ethiopia rarely issues travel documents to the CBSA, and refuses to issue documents to individuals not returning to Ethiopia voluntarily. There have been multiple executive level meetings between the CBSA/GAC and Ethiopian officials in both Ottawa and in Addis Ababa this year, and the Ambassador and Head of Ethiopia's Immigration and Citizenship Service committed to working closer on travel document issuance; however, these commitments have not yet resulted in any improvements
• Kenya: Kenya is a strategically important partner for removals to Somalia; all of which much transfer through Nairobi. However, Kenya rarely issues travel documents to the CBSA for the removal of Kenyan nationals. Three ADM/DG level meetings were held with the High Commissioner at the beginning of the year, and there have been three subsequent working level meetings between CBSA and Kenyan officials in Ottawa and Nairobi, however this has not resulted in any improvements

ADR/TSR Countries and Volume

• The CBSA can impose an Administrative Deferral of Removal (ADR), or the Minister of Public Safety may impose a Temporary Suspension of Removal (TSR), when country conditions exist that could seriously endanger the lives or safety of the entire civilian population. It is not meant to address persistent and systemic human rights problems which constitute individual risk
• There is currently an active ADR in place for certain regions in Somalia (Middle Shabelle, Afgoye, and Mogadishu), the Gaza Strip, Ukraine, Syria, Mali, the Central African Republic, South Sudan, Libya, Yemen, Venezuela, Haiti, Iran and Sudan. There is also an active TSR for in place for Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Iraq
• Individuals who benefit from an ADR or a TSR are located in the Removal Not Possible inventory. Individuals who have failed to comply with a reporting condition may be captured in the wanted inventory until they are located. Individuals inadmissible for safety or security concerns do not benefit from the ADR or TSR and will be located in the removal in progress inventory or wanted inventory depending on the specific details of their case
• There are approximately 13,000 ADR/TST cases in the inventory, 97% of which are for the top ten countries

Immigration Holding Centre Capacity and Detainee Volume

• Budget 2024 provided the CBSA with funding to enhance its immigration holding centres in Toronto, Ontario and Laval, Quebec to various risk levels, including high risk detainees who had been previously housed in provincial correctional facilities, as well as establish a designated immigrant station at the Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines, Quebec
• The CBSA manages all immigration detainees within its immigration holding centres to the extent possible
• If an individual requires a higher degree of supervision and control than can be provided in an immigration holding centre, the CBSA may transfer that individual to the designated immigrant station in Saint-Anne-des-Plaines, Quebec in accordance with section 142 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act
• This approach reinforces the CBSA's commitment to public safety by ensuring that high-risk detainees are managed in facilities that provide the necessary level of supervision and control
• As of November 27, 2025, the detainee volumes were (Total: 167):
  • Greater Toronto Area Immigration Holding Centre: 52
  • Laval Immigration Holding Centre: 43
  • British Columbia Immigration Holding Centre: 68
  • Designated Immigrant Station (Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines): 4

SECU undertakings

Undertaking SECU: Fentanyl provincial breakdown

Undertaking SECU: Totoaba fish trade/Precursor chemicals

Undertaking SECU: CBSA advice – Mexican visa decision

Please note that removals for previous months are updated to include delayed confirmation of departure data entries.

Undertaking SECU: Training of 200 CBSA officers

Undertaking CIMM: Number of how many failed claimants are in the removal queue

Undertaking CIMM: Number of people that are in the removal queue that are convicted of a crime

CBSA OPQ Responses

Q-171: Temporary public policy and removals

Q-186: Removals

Q-187: Removal of persons