Fact Sheet

March 2011

The Canada Border Services Agency's
Arming Initiative

In 2006, the Government of Canada announced its decision to provide funding for training and equipping Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers with firearms. In total 4,800 CBSA officers at all land and marine ports of entry, as well as officers who perform enforcement functions within Canada, will carry a firearm in the line of duty. There are currently 1,544 armed officers that have been trained and deployed throughout the country.

Providing CBSA officers with duty firearms enhances border security and helps protect our communities. It improves their effectiveness at the border by enabling them to have a broader range of options when responding to dangerous situations and to pursue enforcement activities to a greater extent.

The role of CBSA officers does not change with the introduction of duty firearms. They continue to ensure the smooth flow of legitimate trade and travel while keeping Canada's border secure by assessing situations, using their skills, training, tools and good judgement. Officers may only resort to the use of duty firearms when they have reasonable grounds to believe that their lives or the lives of other persons are in imminent danger and all other reasonable alternatives have proven unsuccessful or are unsafe.

From the onset of the Arming Initiative, the CBSA has set a high standard to ensure the safety of the public and its employees. The CBSA has partnered with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to design a rigorous, comprehensive three-week Duty Firearm Course customized to the duties and realities of CBSA officers.

The course trains officers on the safe use, handling, storage and transportation of the duty firearm as well as dealing with dangerous situations. CBSA officers are aware of situations in which force may be used and are trained in its proper use and application while ensuring they do not place themselves, other officers, or members of the public in undue danger.

As part of the prerequisites to firearm training, CBSA officers must go through a rigorous screening process, including psychological testing to ensure that officers who carry a firearm are emotionally and psychologically suited to handle it safely and responsibly. This is a standard practice among law enforcement agencies and the CBSA is no different.

To ensure that CBSA officers maintain their firearms proficiency, they attend two mandatory practice sessions every year and are re-certified on an annual basis.

The CBSA remains committed to implementing the Arming Initiative properly, safely and efficiently.

For media inquiries:
CBSA Media Relations - 613-957-6500