Feds look to hire border officers
By Tom Godfrey, QMI Agency
Article Link
More than 100 border officers who are willing to carry weapons are being hired by the federal government to go after fugitives, war criminals and immigration offenders who are hiding on city streets.
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is advertising on its website, and that of other government departments, for officers who must be crime free and pass a firearm proficiency test.
Some CBSA officers said the hundred or so officers are being hired just in time for tougher enforcement laws against failed refugees and others that take affect in June.
New detention cells and hearing rooms are also being built to hold and process those awaiting removal from Canada.
"Hiring will begin in spring," the CBSA said. "The agency is currently looking for qualified people from a variety of backgrounds to become officer trainees."
The officers work with the latest technology and techniques to detect illegal drugs, prohibited firearms and harmful pests or diseases and stop them from entering the country, the website said.
Jean-Pierre Fortin, president of the Customs and Immigration Union, said the new hires are taught how to fire a weapon and undergo a firearms test.
"We understand the hiring is part of an ongoing process," Fortin said on Friday. "There is a need for more bilingual officers in some areas."
He said about 1,900 border officers are now armed and another 4,800 have to be outfitted with weapons.
Some Toronto lawyers said they're gearing up to handle more enforcement cases.
The Association of Certified Immigration Advisors held a seminar on Thursday that was attended by more than 100 immigration workers regarding the new laws.
Toronto immigration lawyer Guidy Mamman said there's a campaign to round up illegal immigrants and overstays for deportation.
"There is a massive push underway to arrest and detain undocumented people," Mamman said. "They (CBSA) are putting more resources into detaining and removing people from Canada."
Lawyer Richard Kurland said the CBSA is preparing for mass enforcement with new hires and added detention cells.
"Looks like they can now boost enforcement in Canada because our missions in Afghanistan and Libya are done," Kurland said.
More on link
By Tom Godfrey, QMI Agency
Article Link
More than 100 border officers who are willing to carry weapons are being hired by the federal government to go after fugitives, war criminals and immigration offenders who are hiding on city streets.
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is advertising on its website, and that of other government departments, for officers who must be crime free and pass a firearm proficiency test.
Some CBSA officers said the hundred or so officers are being hired just in time for tougher enforcement laws against failed refugees and others that take affect in June.
New detention cells and hearing rooms are also being built to hold and process those awaiting removal from Canada.
"Hiring will begin in spring," the CBSA said. "The agency is currently looking for qualified people from a variety of backgrounds to become officer trainees."
The officers work with the latest technology and techniques to detect illegal drugs, prohibited firearms and harmful pests or diseases and stop them from entering the country, the website said.
Jean-Pierre Fortin, president of the Customs and Immigration Union, said the new hires are taught how to fire a weapon and undergo a firearms test.
"We understand the hiring is part of an ongoing process," Fortin said on Friday. "There is a need for more bilingual officers in some areas."
He said about 1,900 border officers are now armed and another 4,800 have to be outfitted with weapons.
Some Toronto lawyers said they're gearing up to handle more enforcement cases.
The Association of Certified Immigration Advisors held a seminar on Thursday that was attended by more than 100 immigration workers regarding the new laws.
Toronto immigration lawyer Guidy Mamman said there's a campaign to round up illegal immigrants and overstays for deportation.
"There is a massive push underway to arrest and detain undocumented people," Mamman said. "They (CBSA) are putting more resources into detaining and removing people from Canada."
Lawyer Richard Kurland said the CBSA is preparing for mass enforcement with new hires and added detention cells.
"Looks like they can now boost enforcement in Canada because our missions in Afghanistan and Libya are done," Kurland said.
More on link
