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Overview: Ministerial transition 2025

From: Canada Border Services Agency

CBSA overview

Mandate

The CBSA provides integrated border services that support national security and public safety priorities and facilitates the free flow of persons and goods, including animals and plants.

Vision

An integrated border agency that is recognized for service excellence in ensuring Canada's security and prosperity.

Border integrity: Immigration, Asylum and Travellers

What we do

  • Facilitate the flow of legitimate travellers (citizens, permanent residents and visitors) across the border
  • Deny entry to foreign nationals who are inadmissible due to committing crime, national security reasons, connections to organized crime, war crimes, or any other inadmissibility under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act
  • Screen travellers for immigration status and admissibility
  • Process regular and irregular asylum seekers at Ports of Entry
  • Work with Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada to implement immigration policy set by the Minister of Immigration Refugees and Citizenship

Border integrity: Intelligence and Enforcement

What we do

  • Collect intelligence and conduct analysis to inform risk assessment and targeting of potentially inadmissible people and goods
  • Find and remove inadmissible foreign nationals from Canada
  • Manage and administer immigration detention facilities and the alternatives to detention program
  • Detect and disrupt border-related criminal activity: firearms, drugs, and other contraband; irregular migration; threats to national security; trade fraud, etc.
  • Detect and counter transnational criminal organizations engaged in human trafficking, money laundering and proceeds of crime

Border integrity: Commercial and Trade

What we do

  • Examine goods to intercept inadmissible food, plants, animals, firearms, weapons, health and consumer products and other items at land, air, and marine ports of entry including Canada Post facilities that pose a threat to human health, agriculture and the environment
  • Collect duties and taxes on legitimate goods crossing the border, supporting trade and commerce
  • Implement trade agreements and changes in tariffs
  • Identify and address compliance issues among importers and exporters to ensure adherence to legislative, regulatory and policy frameworks
  • Investigate foreign companies and countries for unfair trade practices and administer anti-dumping and countervailing duties
  • Counter increasingly sophisticated criminal concealment methods and increase examination capacity to identify and intercept contraband, including guns and drugs, and precursors
  • Work with law enforcement and industry to target and intercept stolen vehicles in ports and rail yards

Border integrity

How we do it

  • Deploy frontline officers to ports of entry to examine goods and people
  • Deploy full range of detection technology equipment; from handheld tools, to canine teams to x-rays scanners for container, to ports of entry
  • Conduct and share intelligence, targeting, and risk assessments with frontline policing partners and Five Eyes border agencies
  • Deploy officers around the world to push the border "away" from Canada
  • Conduct investigations into border-related offences involving people and goods to support the prosecution of offences
  • Represent the Minister of Public Safety at hearings before the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada
  • Calculate normal values used to assess the amount of applicable duties on imports of goods

Placemat: CBSA footprint

Canada Border Services Agency [Protection – Service – Integrity]

Our mandate: Providing integrated border services that support national security and public safety priorities while facilitating the free flow of legitimate travellers, goods and trade across Canada's border.

What we do: Administers over 100 acts, regulations and international agreements on behalf of federal partners, provinces and territories.

Keeping Canadians safe

The CBSA plays an integral role in ensuring the safety and security of Canadians as Canada's first line of defence at 1,200 ports of entry and works diligently to protect Canada from border related threats. While the agency aims to keep out all contraband, it continues to focus particularly on illegal drugs and firearms.

In 2024, CBSA welcomed 93.4 million travellers to Canada and international liaison officers intercepted 9,680 people based on concerns over the validity of their travel documents.

CBSA by the numbers

  • ~17,000 employees, with
  • ~8,500 officers providing services at
  • 1,200 points across Canada and
  • 38 international locations
  • 207 airports
  • 117 land border crossings
  • 26 rail offices
  • 9 ferry terminals
  • 405 small vessel reporting sites
  • 973 warehouses
  • 213 commercial vessel clearance facilities
  • 50 CBSA inland offices
  • 3 immigration holding centres
  • 3 mail processing centres

CBSA Processing times (average)

  • Land Border - Primary: 72 seconds
  • Air Port of Entry - Primary Inspection Kiosk: 54 seconds
  • Work Permits: 14 minutes (air) / 43 minutes (land)
  • Study Permits: 10 minutes (air) / 31 minutes (land)
  • Refugee Claim: 2 hours
  • Seizures: 52 minutes (air) / 1 hour 23 min (land)
  • Commercial - Primary: 26 seconds
  • Commercial - Secondary: Up to 4 hours and 50 minutes

2024 Highlights  (From to )

Immigration and Asylum

Refugee Claimants:

58,930 refugee claimants processed by CBSA, including:

  • 42,595 at airports
  • 15,425 at land ports of entry
  • ~30 at marine ports of entry
  • 875 at CBSA inland offices

Immigration Services:

  • 475,000 work permits issued
  • 250,000 study permits issued
  • 195,000 Permanent Residents landed
  • 61,852 NEXUS interviews administered

Commerce and Trade

Commercial Volumes:

  • Highway: 5,307,517 trucks
  • Air: 3,588,120 shipments
  • Marine: 1,963,455 containers
  • Rail: 1,899,664 cars

Key Milestones:

  • Successful launch of the CBSA Assessment and Revenue Management (CARM) System
  • Duties and taxes assessed: $40 billion (Customs duties, Special Import Measures Act duties, GST and excise tax)
  • Commercial Releases: 29 million
  • Courier shipments: 145.7 million

Traveller Facilitation

Travellers facilitated:
93,440,697 total:

  • Highway: 52,235,933
  • Air: 37,485,710
  • Marine: 3,448,456
  • Rail: 270,508

Key Milestones:

  • 34,886,864 travellers used Primary Inspection Kiosks
  • 4,068,687 travellers used Advanced Declaration
  • 1.95 million NEXUS members
  • 83 additional Primary Inspection Kiosks across Canada

Intelligence and Enforcement

Seizures:

  • 18,145 firearms and prohibited weapons
  • 28,325 illegal drug seizures
  • 17,020 cannabis seizures
  • 2,014 tobacco seizures
  • 69 child pornography seizures

Enforcement Milestones:

  • 16,860 removals of inadmissible persons
  • 9,680 international intercepts involving document validity concerns
  • 5,246 immigration detentions
  • 3,097 penalties for food, plant and animal import violations
  • 26 missing children reunited with their loved ones in partnership with our Missing Children Program

Border narrative and seizures

  • The Border Plan announced a $1.3 billion investment, over $355 million will help the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) bolster its frontline and get the latest tools and technology to stop drugs and firearms
  • In 2024, 91% of all firearms seized at our border coming into Canada, 65% of all methamphetamine seizures and 81% of fentanyl seizures came from the United States (U.S.)
  • Over the last five years, the amount of fentanyl seized coming from the U.S. has increased by over 1600%, cocaine seized from the U.S. increased by over 290%, meth by over 200% and 3,295 firearms seized at our border came from the U.S. Moreover, the vast majority of all tobacco seizures made by the CBSA came from the U.S. (88%). Seizures of cannabis or tobacco often lead to the disruption of criminal organizations and activities
  • Canada is not a significant source of fentanyl entering the U.S. Less than 1% of fentanyl seized in the U.S. comes from Canada
  • Under the Border Plan, the CBSA launched Operation Blizzard, a month-long (February 12th to March 13th), cross-country surge operation to intercept fentanyl and other illegal drugs in postal, air cargo and marine containers. During the operation, officers examined shipments, with a special focus on mail, air freight and sea containers going to the United States. In total, the CBSA made:
    • Over 2,600 seizures of suspected narcotics and precursors, including 116 fentanyl seizures (1,7 kg), 17 methamphetamine seizures (5.3 kg and 89 pills) and 24 cocaine seizures (over 13 kg), 26 heroin seizures (0.1953 kg), 17 opium seizures (38.8 kg and 11 bottles) and 48 MDMA seizures (2.3 kg and 82 pills). The U.S. was the country of destination or origin for over 85% of all seizures made during the Operation
  • Less than 1% of illegal crossings into the U.S. came from Canada
  • The Canada-US Safe Third Country Agreement (STCA) applies to the entire land border. Under this agreement, those who ask for refugee protection have to do so in the first safe country they arrive in, unless they qualify for an exception
  • So far in 2025 (January 1 to ), 580 asylum claimants were removed to the U.S. for their ineligibility under the STCA
  • The CBSA has increased removals of inadmissible people from Canada – the most in a decade. The number of removals enforced more than doubled in 2023 to 2024 (16,336) compared to fiscal year 2021 to 2022 (7,539)
  • The CBSA projects to maintain current removal levels for fiscal year 2024 to 2025, and is committing under the Border Plan to increase removals from 16,000 to 20,000 (25% increase) for the next 2 fiscal years (2025 to 2026 and 2026 to 2027)
  • In 2024, almost 40,000 foreign national seeking to enter Canada at a land port of entry were believed to be inadmissible, representing a 32% increase from 2023. Among the 16,470 foreign nationals who were removed from Canada for violating the Immigration and Refugees Protection Act, over 4,660 were returned to the U.S. Among this group, over 500 were U.S. nationals
  • Canadian and U.S. authorities apprehend individuals who attempt to cross clandestinely between ports of entry
    • In , Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) put in place measures to improve visa integrity and reduce the total volume of asylum claims. Since these measures were implemented, there has been a 99% decrease in total southbound apprehensions by US Customs and Border Protection (US CBP)
    • The number of monthly southbound apprehensions has decreased for 10 consecutive months
    • So far in 2025, 466 southbound apprehensions have been made by US CBP, representing a monthly average of 155. In contrast, an average of 1,694 southbound apprehensions were made on a monthly basis in 2024

By the numbers

  • So far this year (from January 1 to ), the CBSA has already seized:
    • 698 kg of cocaine from the U.S., compared to 360 kg from all other countries combined – 66% of seized cocaine came from the U.S.
    • 60 kg of methamphetamine from the U.S., compared to 368 kg from all other countries combined – 14% of seized methamphetamine came from the U.S.
    • 0.045 kg of fentanyl from the U.S., compared to 2.1 kg from all other countries combined – 2% of seized fentanyl came from the U.S.
    • 153 firearms from the U.S., compared to 57 from all other countries combined – 73% of seized firearms came from the U.S.
    • 1,040 prohibited weapons from the U.S., compared to 2,840 from all other countries combined – 27% of seized prohibited weapons came from the U.S.
    • 203 kg of cannabis from the U.S., compared to 4,958 kg from all other countries combined – 4% of all seized cannabis came from the U.S.
    • 107,935 kg of tobacco from the U.S., compared to 584,220 kg from all other countries combined – 16% of seized tobacco came from the U.S.
  • In 2024, the CBSA seized:
    •  2,178 kg of cocaine from the U.S., compared to 2,365 kg from all other countries combined – 48% of seized cocaine came from the U.S.
    • 784 kg of methamphetamine from the U.S., compared to 417 kg from all other countries combined – 65% of seized methamphetamine came from the U.S.
    • 0.532 kg of fentanyl from the U.S., compared to 0.127 kg from all other countries combined – 81% of seized fentanyl came from the U.S.
    • 837 firearms from the U.S., compared to 79 from all other countries combined – 91% of seized firearms came from the U.S.
    • 3,399 prohibited weapons from the U.S., compared to 13,222 from all other countries combined – 20% of seized prohibited weapons came from the U.S.
    • 1,052 kg of cannabis from the U.S., compared to 3,697 kg from all other countries combined – 22% of all seized cannabis came from the U.S.
    • 523,585 kg of tobacco from the U.S., compared to 68,346 kg from all other countries combined – 88% of seized tobacco came from the U.S.
  • Between 2020 and 2024, the CBSA seized:
    • 4,889 kg of cocaine from the U.S., compared to approximately 6,835 kg from all other countries combined – 42% of seized cocaine came from the U.S.
    • 3,606 kg of methamphetamine from the U.S., compared to approximately 1,359 kg from all other countries combined – 73 % of seized methamphetamine came from the U.S.
    • 2.103 kg of fentanyl from the U.S., compared to 7.793 kg from all other countries combined – 21% of seized fentanyl came from the U.S.
    • 3,295 firearms from the U.S., compared to 1,158 from all other countries combined – 74% of seized firearms came from the U.S.
    • 16,304 prohibited weapons from the U.S., compared to 163,345 from all other countries combined – 10% of seized prohibited weapons came from the U.S.
  • Increases from 2020 to 2024:
    • the total amount of cocaine seized from the U.S. has increased by almost 294%
    • the total amount of methamphetamine seized from the U.S. has increased by 205%
    • the total amount of firearms seized from the U.S. has increased by 82%
    • the total amount of prohibited weapons seized from the U.S. has increased by 67%
    • From 2021 to 2024, the total amount of fentanyl seized from the U.S. has increased by over 1600% (no fentanyl was seized coming from the U.S. in 2020)

Seized from the U.S.Tablenote 1

Commodity (kg) 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
(up to April 30)		 Total
Cocaine 553 573 689 896 2,178 698 5,587
Fentanyl - 0.03 1.07 0.471 0.532 0.045 2.148
Methamphetamine 257 237 317 2,011 784 60 3,666
Total 810 810 1,007 2,907 2,963 758 9,255
Commodity (quantity) 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
(up to April 30)		 Total
Firearms 459 573 581 843 839 153 3,448
Prohibited weapons 2,032 5,075 2,646 3,152 3,398 1,040 17,343
Commodity 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
(up to April 30)		 Grand total
Cannabis 4,339,876 11,908,899 1,434,494 4,822,950 1,484,573 218,093 24,208,885
Grams 3,034,646 3,412,298 813,276 3,744,865 1,052,891 202,689 12,260,665
Dosage 1,291,265 3,394,022 606,969 1,009,114 406,022 15,404 6,722,796
ml 13,965 5,102,579 14,250 68,971 25,660 0 5,225,425
Tobacco 581,102 406,581 728,933 725,073 1,905,641 3,496,012 7,843,342
Kg 544,272 394,963 404,932 678,210 523,585 107,935 2,653,897
NMB 36,359 10,015 217,587 40,915 1,380,002 3,356,143 5,041,021
Cartons 471 1,604 106,413 5,948 2,055 31,933 148,424
Heroin 71 543 182 63,389 80 490 64,755
Grams 71 543 169 63,389 80 490 64,742
Dosage 0 0 13 0 0 0 13
Ketamine 5 106 93 209 150 26 589
Grams 1 96 93 209 145 26 570
Dosage 5 10 0 0 5 0 20

Seized from all other countries combined (excluding Canada and U.S. as the country of origin)Tablenote 1

Commodity (kg) 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
(up to April 30)		 Total
Cocaine 623 586 2,405 856 2,365 360 7,195
Fentanyl 2.421 2.791 2.812 0.189 4.403 2.121 14.737
Methamphetamine 359 137 267 179 417 368 1,727
Total 984 726 2,675 1,035 2,786 730 8,936
Commodity (quantity) 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
(up to April 30)		 Total
Firearms 32 480 519 75 93 57 1,199
Prohibited weapons 50,115 58,287 18,260 23,975 13,816 2,840 167,293
Commodity 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
(up to April 30)		 Grand total
Cannabis 1,955,108 1,346,727 1,747,091 6,686,726 3,728,485 578,382 16,042,519
Grams 582,380 1,264,178 1,709,869 6,655,341 3,697,658 575,362 14,484,788
Dosage 1,301,868 60,589 32,202 22,577 21,867 3,020 1,442,123
ml 70,860 21,960 5,020 8,808 8,960 0 115,608
Tobacco 354,373 695,033 50,520 223,125 234,479 600,180 2,157,710
Cartons 185,724 555,062 22,405 20,905 87,126 7,914 879,136
NMB 150,030 300 23,528 96,676 79,007 8,530 358,071
Kg 18,619 139,671 4,587 105,544 68,346 583,736 920,503
Heroin 91,220 130,658 387,004 26,535 2,964 39,588 677,969
Grams 91,220 130,658 387,004 24,135 2,964 39,588 675,569
Dosage 0 0 0 2,400 0 0 2,400
Ketamine 6,908 84,521 300,329 934,620 233,417 305,237 1,865,032
Grams 6,908 84,521 300,329 934,620 233,362 305,237 1,864,977
Dosage 0 0 0 0 55 0 55

Annex

News releases

Social media

CBSA organizational information

Senior Management Team

(Effective date: )

Erin O'Gorman
President

  • Sharon Spicer
    Chief of Staff
  • Marianne Thouin
    Director General, Chief Audit and Evaluation Executive
  • Julie Watkinson
    Legal Advisor Executive Director and Senior General Counsel
  • Shirley-Ann Ivan
    Vice-President and Special Advisor
  • Kathleen Roussel
    Senior Advisor for Trade Compliance
  • Ryan Pilgrim
    Vice-President, Finance and Corporate Management Branch
  • Aaron McCrorie
    Vice-President, Intelligence and Enforcement Branch
  • Jennifer Lutfallah
    Vice-President, Commercial and Trade Branch
  • Rob Chambers
    Vice-President, Travellers Branch
  • Kelly Bélanger
    Associate Vice-President, Travellers Modernization
  • Holly Flowers Code
    Vice-President, Human Resources Branch
  • Peter Littlefield
    Vice-President, Information, Science and Technology Branch
  • Caroline Marchildon
    Vice-President, Communications, Parliamentary and Public Affairs
  • Christine Durocher
    Vice-President, Recourse, Standards and Program Integrity
  • Kelly Acton
    Vice-President, Strategic Policy Branch

Ted Gallivan
Executive Vice-President

  • Lisa Janes
    Regional General Director: Greater Toronto Area
  • Jagdeep Johnston
    Regional General Director: Northern Ontario Region
  • Mike Prosia
    Regional General Director: Southern Ontario Region
  • Éric Lapierre
    Regional General Director: Quebec Region
  • Dominic Mallette
    Regional General Director: Atlantic Region
  • Janalee Bell-Boychuck
    Regional General Director: Prairie Region
  • Nina Patel
    Regional General Director: Pacific Region

CBSA: Workforce profile

CBSA's population: Regional breakdown as of

Figure 1
CBSA's population: Regional breakdown as of April 1, 2025
Figure 1 - Text version
CBSA's population: Regional breakdown as of
Region Total
PAC 1,902
PR 1,227
NOR 653
SOR 1,704
GTA 2,328
HQ 6,715
QC 2,128
ATL 730
Regions: 10,672
Headquarters: 6,715

Data Source: CAS,

CBSA's population: Breakdown by occupational group

Figure 2
>CBSA's population: Breakdown by occupational group
Figure 2 - Text version

Workforce count: 17,387

CBSA's population: Breakdown by occupational group
Group Total
FB 10,740Tablenote 1
CR 1,389
AS 1,435
IT 1,062
SU 767
EC 467
PE 387
CT-FIN 260
EX 236
PM 209
Other 435

Data Source: CAS,

First official language
French English
(%) 23.6 76.4

Bilingualism rate
Bilingual Unilingual
(%) 33.0 67.0

Workforce tenure
Indeterminate Student Determinate Casual Seasonal
(%) 89 4 5 2 0
Employment equity representation
% WFA rate in % Gap
Women 47.3 44.6 441
Racialized persons 20.1 16.6 569
Black Persons 3 4.3Tablenote 1 -
Indigenous Peoples 3.7 3.7 minus 9
Persons with disabilities 8.1 9.4 minus 213

Ministerial authorities

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) administers more than 100 acts, regulations, and international agreements. Most of the day-to-day functions and duties found in the legislation have been delegated to the Vice-President level and below, or are exercised by designated officers. The following is an overview of the legal authorities conferred on the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness. This is not an exhaustive list of authorities delegated to the Minister and the Minister generally does not exercise these various powers, duties and function personally.

Delegation authorities

The Minister can delegate to any person any conferred power, duty or function under various acts: 6(2) of the Canada Border Services Agency Act, 2(4) of the Customs Act, 6(2) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, and 39(1) of the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act.

A Delegations and Designations document is a document in which the Minister or the President either delegate to particular officials (or classes of officials) the various specific statutory powers, duties, and authorities expressly conferred on the Minister or the President, or designate which particular officials or classes of officials may exercise the various specific statutory powers, duties and authorities expressly conferred on officers. The CBSA Delegations and Designation documents contain delegations for the vast majority of the Ministerial and Presidential legislative authorities and designations for most officer authorities. The Delegations and Designation documents provide clarity as to who may perform the various functions set out in the legislation and therefore provide greater certainty that a decision or an authority is being exercised lawfully.

The President approves most of the CBSA's Delegations and Designation documents, with the exception of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act Delegations and Designations document. This is permitted by section 12 of the Canada Border Services Agency Act, wherein the President of the Agency is legally entitled to assume the powers granted to the Minister described in any of the acts that meet the definition of "program legislation"; this includes the Minister's authority to make Delegations and Designations. The President is asked to approve the Delegations and Designations to allow for more flexibility and to respond expeditiously to the ongoing operational requirements to designate new officers or officers with new designated duties.

Canada Border Services Agency Act

6(1) - Be responsible for the Agency.

12(1) - Provide any directions to the Agency to exercise the powers, and perform the duties and functions, relating to the program legislation.

13(1) – Recommend to the Governor in Council, together with Minister of Foreign Affairs, that the Agency be permitted to enter into an agreement (in other words, legally-binding treaty) with a foreign state or international organization for purposes of carrying out the Agency's mandate.

14(1) – Establish guidelines, together with the Minister of Finance, that must be respected before the Agency may enter into an agreement or arrangement with a province to administer a tax or other fiscal measure on behalf of the province.

Customs Act

The Minister of National Revenue and the Minister of Finance also share responsibilities under this Act. The Customs Act is one of the primary pieces of legislation that the CBSA administers and enforces. It deals mostly with the presentation of persons upon their arrival in Canada and reporting of goods upon their import or export from Canada. Among other things, it sets out the legislative authority to control the importation and exportation of goods. The Customs Act gives CBSA officers the authority to, for example, search persons, examine imported or exported goods, and detain or seize goods in cases of non-compliance. In total, there are nine non-delegated authorities of the Minister under the Customs Act, as well as two non-delegated authorities of the President (see the table below). These authorities are exercised infrequently and under specific circumstances.

2(4) Authorize an officer or a class of officers to exercise powers or perform duties of the Minister, including any judicial or quasi-judicial powers or duties of the Minister, under this Act.

This allows the Minister to delegate any of the Minister's duties under the Customs Act, including judicial or quasi-judicial functions (for example, according to section 131 of the Customs Act, the Minister has the authority to consider and weigh the circumstances of particular cases – such as the seizures of goods or conveyances – and decide whether the Act or the regulations were contravened).

8.1(1) and 8.3 - Specify or make available the electronic means or system to be used to exercise powers or perform duties, or to provide information or security under the Customs Act.

This means that interactions with the Agency (for example, the Agency requesting information on a specific form, or a client providing an accounting document) may be done via electronic means. This will help the CBSA digitize more of its interactions.

This authority came into force in 2024 and has not been exercised fully yet.

11.6 (1) - Designate as a mixed-traffic corridor a portion of a roadway or other access way.

The Minister can delineate the roadway or access way between the international border and a customs office, where there is a need to manage the commingling of domestic and international travellers and goods.

The Minister has used this authority only once, at the Cornwall port of entry.

106(3) - Stay any action or judicial proceedings taken otherwise than under this Act, if similar facts are at issue in an action or proceeding under this Act.

The Minister can stay any action or judicial proceedings taken otherwise than under the Customs Act to wait for the outcome of an action or judicial proceedings based on similar facts under the Customs Act.

The Attorney General of Canada, representing and acting on behalf of the Minister or the CBSA in these proceedings, could exercise the power on behalf of the Minister. As it would be purely procedural, technical and interlocutory, it is seemingly unreported if ever used.

The use of this authority has not been reported in any case law.

147.1(3) - Enter into an agreement with Canada Post to collect duties in respect of mail.

The Agreement Concerning Processing and Clearance of Postal Imports outlines the roles and responsibilities of the parties for the collection of duties and taxes on international mail, as well as other matters relating to the processing of postal imports.

The current Agreement is dated 2012.

8.6(1), 35.1(4) and 164(1.1) - Recommend to the Governor in Council to make regulations in respect of electronic communications and electronic means, proof of origin, or for the purpose of the uniform interpretation, application and administration of free trade agreements.

The Customs Tariff Act

The Customs Tariff Act is an Act concerning, amongst other things, the imposition of duties of customs and other charges, the International Convention on the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System, and the relief against the imposition of certain duties of customs or other charges. The ministerial authorities relating to this Act are all delegated below the Vice-President level except all authorities to make Regulations. Only subsection 68(3) is not delegated below the President.

68(3) - The President of the Canada Border Services Agency may relieve goods from payment of a surtax on agricultural goods imposed by an order if the President is of the opinion that

  • (a) the goods were purchased for importation in the expectation in good faith that the surtax would not have applied to those goods; and
  • (b) the goods were in transit to the purchaser in Canada

Immigration and Refugee Protection Act

The Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship also shares responsibilities under this Act. Section 4(2) makes the Minister of Public Safety responsible for the administration of the IRPA as it relates to examinations at ports of entry, enforcement of the Act (including arrest, detention and removal), the establishment of policies relating to enforcement of the Act and certain serious inadmissibilities, and Ministerial relief.

20.1(1) - Designate as an irregular arrival the arrival in Canada of a group of persons.

An irregular arrival can be designated as such when the examinations of the persons in the group cannot be conducted in a timely manner (for example, establishing identity of a large group), and there are reasonable grounds to suspect a contravention related to organized human smuggling in a criminal context.

This authority is rarely used (last occurrence in 2012 when a migrant vessel arrived in Canada).

42.1(1) and (2) - Declare that the matters referred to in section 34 (security grounds), 35 (violating international or human rights) or 37 (organized criminality) do not constitute inadmissibility if not contrary to the national interest.

A foreign national can apply for a declaration of relief (commonly referred to as "Ministerial relief") if they have been found to be inadmissible to Canada under sections 34, 35 or 37. The CBSA processes applications and makes recommendations to the Minister. The Minister can grant relief on his/her own initiative if satisfied that it is not contrary to national interest.

Ministerial relief is intended to be exceptional and has been used at various frequencies based on the discretion of previous Ministers. CBSA assesses applications and makes a recommendation but the decision rests with the Minister.

77(1), 77.1 and 81 - Issue a security certificate and warrant or impose conditions on person subject to a security certificate.

Security certificates are an immigration proceeding for the purpose of removing non-Canadians who are inadmissible for reasons of national security, violating human or international rights, or involvement in organized or serious crimes. They are issued when the information to determine the case cannot be disclosed without endangering the safety of a person or national security.

This authority is rarely used (27 times since 1991).

Citizenship Act

The Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship is responsible for the administration of this Act, however the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness may intervene in some circumstances.

10.5(1) - Ask the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship to seek a declaration that an individual subject to revocation of citizenship proceedings is inadmissible pursuant to one of section 34 (security grounds), 35 (violating international or human rights) or 37 (organized criminality) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

This authority is rarely used (5 times since 2017).

Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act

The Minister of Finance also shares responsibilities under this Act. The Act makes CBSA officers responsible for administering and enforcing the cross-border currency reporting regime set out in Part 2. It gives officers authorities to search for currency that is imported or about to be exported and, if not reported in accordance with the Act, to seize it as forfeit. Most authorities are delegated below the Vice-President level, with the exception of the following:

24.1(1) - Cancel a seizure of currency or monetary instruments; or cancel, reduce or refund a penalty.

For efficiency reasons and given its administrative nature, advice will be provided for this authority to be delegated at a lower level.

Authorities to enforce criminal offences

The Minister does not have legislative authority to direct or conduct investigations into any criminal offences. Well-established principles of police independence require that the Minister refrain from direct involvement in any criminal investigations or prosecutions, whether under CBSA program legislation or other federal legislation such as the Criminal Code of Canada or the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

Unlike police officers, CBSA officers are not peace officers for general purposes. CBSA officers therefore do not have broad authorities or responsibilities to investigate and enforce any and all criminal offences. However, CBSA officers are peace officers for some limited purposes, including with respect to the enforcement of the Customs Act and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

More specifically, the definition of "peace officer" in section 2 of the Criminal Code of Canada includes:

  • an officer under the Customs Act, Excise Act or Excise Act 2021 when performing any duty in the administration of any those Acts; and
  • an officer authorized under section 138 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act with powers to enforce the Act including with respect to arrest, detention and removal

CBSA officers who are peace officers for purposes of the Customs Act and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act have authority to investigate and enforce criminal offences under those Acts. These functions are usually exercised by specially trained officers in the CBSA's Criminal Investigation Division.

In addition to the authorities of CBSA officers as peace officers to enforce the Customs Act and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, CBSA officers designated under subsection 163.4(1) of the Customs Act have additional but limited peace officer authorities when working at a customs office and performing their normal duties. In particular, subsection 163.5(1) gives such designated officers certain peace officer authorities to arrest a person without warrant for offences under any Act of Parliament (including Criminal Code and Controlled Drugs and Substances Act offences) and to detain that person for delivery to local police of jurisdiction. These designated officers also have certain peace officer authorities in relation to impaired driving offences.

Role of minister in IRPA and IRCC

When the Government created the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) in , it effectively split the responsibility for the Immigration and Refugee programs between two Ministers: the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness and the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship. Each Minister has the responsibility to lead, or share the policy lead, and operational delivery of certain aspects of these programs. The Minister of Employment and Social Development also has a small policy responsibility in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

Authorities are broken down based on the legislative requirements found in Immigration and Refugee Protection Act as follows:

  • The Minister of Public Safety's responsibilities are specified in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act as: examinations at ports of entry; the enforcement of the Act, including arrest, detention and removal; the establishment of policies respecting the enforcement of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and inadmissibility on grounds of security, violating human or international rights, sanctions, transborder criminality or organized criminality; and, Ministerial Relief
  • The Minister of Employment and Social Development is responsible for regulations related to foreign workers
  • The Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada is generally responsible for everything else in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act

Both Ministers have the authority to delegate their authorities or to designate an officer to ensure the effective operation of the Act. However, the Ministers may not delegate the decision-making for the following: designate an irregular arrival (in other words, a mass arrival of a group), MinisterialRelief (in other words, remedy to inadmissibility for national security, war crimes, and organized crime) or the decision on a Security Certificate as they both have significant implications related to detention, deportation and the weighing of national security risks which Parliament assigned solely to the Minister of Public Safety. The Instruments for Designation and Delegation is the tool for identifying what authorities officers can exercise either on behalf of the Minister or as an officer.

Table 1 below provides a high-level overview of ministerial responsibility, as well as designations and delegations for specific sections of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. For the entire breakdown, the Agency can provide the full colour-coded copy of the Act.

Of note, a few provisions have been the point of contention over the past few years:

  • Criminality – The Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship has the policy authority over the inadmissibility provisions and the relief mechanisms from criminal convictions. However, any such decisions impact safety and security matters under the Minister of Public Safety
  • Public Policy – The Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship has the authority to exempt a person from admissibility criteria, including national security provisions for which the Minister of Public Safety is responsible
  • Removals – The Minister of Public Safety has the authority to remove someone from Canada, yet the authority to void a removal order when a person becomes a permanent resident lies with the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

Legend: Colour coding below is for which Department/Agency officers have designated or delegated authority as per the instruments of designation and delegation.

  • Red: officers of the CBSA have designated or delegated authority
  • Blue: officers of IRCC have designated or delegated authority
  • Black: both officers of CBSA and IRCC have designated or delegated authority
Table 1. Ministerial Authority within the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act
Minister of Public Safety Policy Authority
can bring forward legislative changes to Parliament without seeking concurrence from the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
(Red: CBSA authority)Right to Enter and Remain in Canada at Port of Entry
  • (Red: CBSA authority)Every person seeking to enter Canada must appear for an examination to determine whether they have a right to enter Canada, or may become authorized to enter and remain in Canada
(Red: CBSA authority) Admissibility
  • (Red: CBSA authority)Inadmissibility provisions related to security, human or international rights violations, sanctions, transborder criminality and organized criminality
  • (Red: CBSA authority)Ministerial Relief (a provision that allows the Minister of Public Safety to overcome some of the most serious inadmissibility provisions related to security, designated regimes and organized criminality.)
  • (Red: CBSA authority)Preparing an inadmissibility report that a permanent resident or foreign national is inadmissible on grounds of security, human or international rights violations, sanctions, or organized criminality. {(Black: CBSA and IRCC authority) Prepare a report on all other grounds of inadmissibility}
  • (Red: CBSA authority)Security certificates and protection of information during administrative processes or before the Federal Court
(Red: CBSA authority) Immigration Enforcement
  • (Red: CBSA authority)Removals – Enforcement of removal orders, including stays of removal
  • (Red: CBSA authority)Arrest and Detention provisions
  • (Red: CBSA authority)Provisions related to the release of individuals from detention and review of their detention
  • (Red: CBSA authority)Right of appeal against a decision of the Immigration Division of the Immigration and Refugee Board in an admissibility finding
(Red: CBSA authority) Convention Refugees and Persons in Need of Protection
  • (Red: CBSA authority)Applications to vacate refugee protection (vacation of a decision means that the Immigration and Refugee Board may cancel a decision to allow a claim for refugee protection, if the decision was obtained by withholding material facts.)
(Red: CBSA authority) Criminal Offences and Investigations
  • (Red: CBSA authority)Offences related to human smuggling and trafficking
  • (Red: CBSA authority)Offences related to documents
  • (Red: CBSA authority)General offences
  • (Red: CBSA authority)Offences related to misrepresentation
  • (Red: CBSA authority)Prosecution of offences under the IRPA
  • (Red: CBSA authority)Powers of a peace officer
  • (Red: CBSA authority)Search authorities of officers
  • (Red: CBSA authority)Ticketable offences (in other words, are offences prescribed by regulations (instead of Acts of Parliament). Officers can issue tickets, and the payment of a fine constitutes a guilty plea.)
(Red: CBSA authority) Transportation Companies Responsibilities
  • (Red: CBSA authority)Establish and enforce obligation of operators of vehicles and facilities
Minister of Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Policy Authority
can bring forward legislative changes to Parliament without seeking concurrence from the Minister of Public Safety
(Blue: IRCC authority) Requirements and Selection of Applications Before Entering Canada
  • (Black: CBSA and IRCC authority)Right of entry of citizens, every person registered as an Indian under the Indian Act, and permanent residents
  • (Blue: IRCC authority)The Minister of IRC may declare that a foreign national may not become a temporary resident if the Minister is of the opinion that it is justified by public policy considerations. Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada only
(Blue: IRCC authority) Humanitarian and Compassionate Considerations
  • (Blue: IRCC authority)Humanitarian and compassionate considerations of a foreign national who applies for permanent resident status and who is inadmissible, other than those who are inadmissible on grounds of security, human or international rights violations, sanctions or organized criminality
(Blue: IRCC authority) Public Policy Considerations
  • (Blue: IRCC authority)The Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada may grant an exemption from any applicable criteria of the {(Black: CBSA and IRCC authority) Immigration and Refugee Protection Act}, including serious inadmissibility grounds, if it is justified by public policy considerations. Public policy considerations are broad principles that include balancing individual rights with societal needs, while ensuring safety and well-being of the Canadian public
(Black: CBSA and IRCC authority) Inadmissibility
  • (Black: CBSA and IRCC authority)Serious criminality and criminality
  • (Black: CBSA and IRCC authority)Health grounds
  • (Black: CBSA and IRCC authority)Financial reasons
  • (Black: CBSA and IRCC authority)Misrepresentation
  • (Black: CBSA and IRCC authority)Cessation of refugee protection
  • (Black: CBSA and IRCC authority)Non-compliance with the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act or regulations
  • (Black: CBSA and IRCC authority)Inadmissible family member
  • (Red: CBSA authority)Admissibility hearings by the Immigration Division (Immigration and Refugee Board)
(Black: CBSA and IRCC authority) Loss of Status
  • (Blue: IRCC authority)Loss of status of permanent resident
  • (Black: CBSA and IRCC authority)Loss of status of temporary resident
(Black: CBSA and IRCC authority) Return to Canada
  • (Black: CBSA and IRCC authority)Authorization to return to Canada if a removal order has been enforced
(Blue: IRCC authority) Detention
  • (Blue: IRCC authority)The Immigration Division is the division of the Immigration and Refugee Board which reviews reasons for detention and decides if ongoing detention is warranted
(Red: CBSA authority) Right to appeal
  • (Red: CBSA authority)The Minister of IRC has the authority to amend who has the right to appeal for visa refusal of family class, visa and removal order, removal order, and residency obligation
(Blue: IRCC authority) Processing Applications
  • (Blue: IRCC authority)Minister of IRC has the authority to issue instructions with respect to the processing of applications and requests – Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada only
(Blue: IRCC authority) Refugee Protection
  • (Blue: IRCC authority)Conferral of refugee protection, protected person, convention refugee, person in need of protection and exclusion from refugee convention
  • (Black: CBSA and IRCC authority)Claims for refugee protection, ineligibility, suspension of termination of claim, extradition, cessation of refugee protection
  • (Black: CBSA and IRCC authority)Appeals to Refugee Appeal Division
  • (Blue: IRCC authority)Pre-removal Risk Assessment
  • (Blue: IRCC authority)Principle of non-refoulement
  • (Blue: IRCC authority)Immigration and Refugee Board and Refugee Protection Division – composition and proceedings
  • (Blue: IRCC authority)Immigration Division – composition and proceedings
  • (Black: CBSA and IRCC authority)Immigration Appeal Division
Both Ministers
In order to bring forward legislative changes to Parliament related to the provisions below, concurrence is required from both Ministers.
  • (Black: CBSA and IRCC authority)International and Federal-provincial agreements (unless the agreement is specific to the purview of only one Minister)
  • (Black: CBSA and IRCC authority)Biometric information
(Black: CBSA and IRCC authority) Examinations
  • (Black: CBSA and IRCC authority)Proceeding with an examination if a person makes an application to the officer in accordance with the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act or for an electronic travel authorization
  • (Black: CBSA and IRCC authority)Obligation to answer truthfully, appear for examination and appear for interview
(Black: CBSA and IRCC authority) Appeals
  • (Black: CBSA and IRCC authority)No appeal for inadmissibility if foreign national or permanent resident has been found inadmissible on grounds of security, violating human or international rights, sanctions, serious criminality or organized criminality
  • (Black: CBSA and IRCC authority)To amend provisions related to proceedings before the Refugee Appeal Division (of the Immigration and Refugee Board), both Ministers must be in concurrence
(Black: CBSA and IRCC authority) Judicial Review
  • (Black: CBSA and IRCC authority)Application for judicial review to the Federal Court of any decision, determination or order made under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act
(Red: CBSA authority) Non-disclosure
  • (Red: CBSA authority)Application for non-disclosure of information during an admissibility hearing, a detention review or an appeal before the Immigration Appeal Division of the Immigration and Refugee Board

Interactions with ministers

The Minister of Public Safety engages with various ministers and other key officials under the Canada Border Services Agency's (CBSA) legislative obligation to enforce laws, policies, and regulations that safeguard Canada's border, maintain national, including economic security. Strong partnerships are necessary to ensure effective collaboration in border enforcement, intelligence sharing, and response coordination to protect the safety of Canadians and ensure lawful trade and traveller facilitation.

Policy development related to CBSA-administered acts and regulations is often undertaken with imperfect levels of engagement and foresight. Collaboration challenges can lead to policies that are developed without adequate consideration on operational impacts resulting in increased processing times and administrative burden for officers. A more integrated and consultative approach to policy development would enhance efficiency, reduce delays, and ensure that border security measures are both effective and practical in their application. A select number of key Ministerial interactions are noted below, including areas of interest.

The Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship and the Minister of Public Safety engage on policy development and operational implementation as policy changes made by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada will often require the CBSA to operationalize the change. Both ministers may consult the Chair of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada; an independent administrative tribunal responsible for making decisions on immigration and refugee matters under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. The Minister of Public Safety has the right to appeal decisions at the Immigration Appeal Division that a person is not inadmissible, while the Minister Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship has the policy authority for all other Immigration and Refugee Board matters under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

The Minister of Transport plays a role in port security, trade facilitation and supply chains. Institutional interactions involve coordinating policies on goods and passenger movement at ports of entry, most notably at the marine ports and airports, to ensure transportation regulations align with national security measures, and responding to emerging threats or crises affecting Canada's transport and border infrastructure. Transport Canada administers several significant grants and contributions programs aimed at enhancing the country's trade and transportation infrastructure. To prevent the emergence of unfunded pressures on the CBSA, as has occurred in the past, close collaboration will need to continue to ensure alignment on these initiatives with border management needs. As Canada advances the expansion of its trade corridors, including those in the Arctic, you will want to ensure CBSA requirements, such as physical infrastructure and staffing are incorporated at the planning stage.

The Minister of Finance leads on financial policies affecting national security, economic security, trade and taxation. Institutional interactions include coordinating economic measures related to tariffs and addressing financial crimes like money laundering and illicit trade. Additionally, they work together in managing the Customs Tariff. This includes ensuring that tariff structures support economic priorities while maintaining security and compliance at Canada's border.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development and the Minister of Public Safety collaborate on export controls and measures to combat forced labour. Institutional interactions include negotiating and ensuring compliance with international trade agreements, enforcing export restrictions on controlled goods, and preventing the import of products made with forced labour. In regards to the Canada-United States relationship, in addition to the above, both ministers collaborate to maintain secure and efficient border operations, contributing to the advancement of the bilateral relationship. Institutional collaboration also extends to diplomatic engagement to obtain travel documents to enable the removal of individuals to their countries of origin.

The Minister of National Revenue leads on tax enforcement and revenue collection. Institutional interactions include ensuring the collection of duties and taxes on imported goods and preventing tax evasion related to cross-border trade. The CBSA is the Government of Canada's second largest revenue collector, with over $40 billion in revenue collected for the Crown annually. The CBSA works collaboratively with the Canada Revenue Agency on collection activities including arranging payment plans with the business, collapsing bonds or other forms of financial security used to secure the debt as well as enforcement of debt collection.

The Minister of Health oversees numerous pieces of legislation and regulations under the health portfolio that are enforced by the CBSA, notably the Controlled Drug Substances Act, which regulates serious narcotics such as fentanyl, the Cannabis Act, and the Quarantine Act.

The Minister of Agriculture oversees numerous acts and regulations governing the safety of food and animal imports, including those administered by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. While the Canadian Food Inspection Agency delivers direct services at several ports, such as veterinary inspections, these services are not available on a continuous 24/7 basis. As a result, processing delays may occur, as the technical requirements of the regulations must be fulfilled by specialized personnel.

Financial overview

Issue

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is a frontline law enforcement Agency that carries out a range of border-related mandates. While the majority of its costs are personnel-related, the Agency also manages the third largest federal portfolio of real property assets (with over 160 custodial buildings) and an extensive portfolio of IT and real property projects.

Background

The CBSA's operations are influenced by a dynamic import and export environment, fluctuating traveller volumes, a changing criminal landscape and geopolitical tensions. Given the evolving Canada-United States (U.S.) relationship, changing U.S. policies and Administration, and other issues impacting irregular migration, asylum seeking, and the flow of goods, it is paramount for the CBSA to adjust its approach as necessary to better protect public safety.

Current status

Multi-year budgets

From 2022 to 2023 to 2024 to 2025, the CBSA's annual budget increased,, enabling the Agency to invest in strengthening border security. The additional budget was focused primarily on the following areas:

  • Addressing irregular migration
  • Guns, drugs and stolen vehicles
  • Additional detention capacity and
  • Additional officers for the frontline

Despite the increased investment in recent years, beginning in 2025 to 2026, the CBSA's budget is declining due to the impact of the two Refocusing Government Spending (RGS) exercises and the sunsetting of B-base initiatives which were funded on a time-limited basis.

During the first RGS exercise, announced in Budget 2023, the CBSA was directed to reduce its operating budget by $115.9 million ongoing (including Employee Benefits Plan) by 2026 to 2027. This represents an overall reduction of 3.3 percent of the Agency's Vote 1 operating budget. This direction included a reduction to Travel and Professional Services contracts of $46.8 million and a reduction to general operating expenses of $69.1 million.

The second RGS exercise, announced in Budget 2024, specified reduction targets for the CBSA [Redacted]

CBSA Multi-year budget
2022 to 2023 2023 to 2024 2024 to 2025 2025 to 2026 2026 to 2027 2027 to 2028
2,859.7 3,062.1 [Redacted] [Redacted] [Redacted] [Redacted]
Note: Previous years are based on Public Accounts Authorities and 2025 to 2026 onwards is based on 2025 to 2026 Main Estimates

Considerations

New and renewed funding

Through Budget 2024 and the Fall Economic Statement (FES), the Agency received new and renewed additional funding for 2025 to 2026. This additional funding was announced and the implementation plans were supported by Treasury Board Ministers through detailed Treasury Board submissions.

Reliance on temporary funding

The CBSA relies heavily on B-base (temporary) funding which represented approximately 30% of its overall funding in 2024 to 2025. The reliance on temporary funding to support a workforce composed primarily of indeterminate employees creates a financial risk and prevents the Agency from entering into long-term contracts or hiring new employees on an indeterminate basis.

Need for investment on real property

The CBSA owns 109 facilities (mostly ports of entry) and is responsible for keeping this operational. The CBSA's capital budget has not been sufficient to performance regular and needed maintenance. As a result, some ports are assessed as posing health and safety risks to our staff and clients.

As of fiscal year 2024 to 2025, the replacement value of the CBSA's Real Property portfolio is $3.4 billion. Should the CBSA's capital budget remain static, the Agency will only be able to address 19% of total infrastructure requirements over the next 10 years. The CBSA's current capital budget of $50M per year permits a 0.4% annual rate of recapitalization of the Agency's asset portfolio while the industry standard is 4%.

Major investments will be also needed over the next few years to retrofit the immigration holding centers to allow the CBSA to detain individuals who pose a risk to staff and/or other detainees. With the provinces ceasing their agreements with the CBSA to house detainees in their facilities, the Agency must move to a self-reliant model by enhancing the capacity of its immigration-detention operations to accommodate projected volumes of low, medium and high-risk detainees, discontinuing reliance on provincial correctional facilities.

Information technology equipment

The CBSA's operations are highly reliant on technology. The Agency is the second largest revenue generator for the Government of Canada, collecting approximately $40 billion a year in duties and taxes on goods imported to Canada. Continued investment in digital infrastructure to replace our unstable legacy systems and shore up our cyber security will be critical for our operations.

Next steps

The CBSA is prepared to provide advice regarding recommendations for Budget 2025, recognizing that there will be a lot of funding requests from across security and defence related departments as well as economic impacts from recent tariffs.

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