Despite an influx of new recruits looking for work within the Canadian Border Services Agency, applicants are “underrepresented” in Saskatchewan compared with other parts of the country.
Curtis Barry, a border services officer who has been with the CBSA for eight years, said people in the prairie region often find work in other industries.
The energy sector and farming industries, both of which are integral parts of the province’s economy, gain more attention from those looking for work in southern Saskatchewan.
“We’re pushing for people to apply with us,” Barry said.
He noted working with the CBSA is not only a fulfilling experience that is enforced by large busts and assistance provided to temporary foreign workers, but it also provides new recruits the opportunity to travel across the country and make connections with RCMP and other law enforcement officers.
Barry said his training took him to Quebec, where the bulk of their initial learning experience takes place and he has had the opportunity to be stationed in other parts of Canada numerous times.
Because of the underrepresented applicants from the prairie region, people concerned about being stationed far away from home may find solace in the fact that opportunities to remain in the province are currently high.
“As far as being stationed in my substantive port of entry, it’s always been in Saskatchewan,” he said.
Understanding that there is a possibility of being stationed in another province, however, is one of the requirements the CBSA looks for in its applicants. Other prerequisites for potential CBSA officers include having a valid driver’s licence, a secondary school diploma and certificates for both the Canadian Firearms Safety Course and Canadian Restricted Firearms Safety Course.
Interested applicants can go to www.jobs.gc.ca and click on CBSA’s link to access their online application process.
Last year was still a big year for the CBSA in southern Saskatchewan and dull moments seemed to elude its borders as a number of monumental seizures spearhead a long list of significant seizures.
“Southern Saskatchewan and its land port of entries definitely had a banner year for significant seizures,” Barry said.
Thirty-three undeclared firearms were seized in 2014, 27 of which were obtained at North Portal. Twelve firearms were seized in July and August, which is four times more than the number of firearms seized in 2013 and the most in the last five years.
Twenty-three other weapons were also seized during the summer, including 11 canisters of pepper spray and tear gas, two stun guns, six switchblades and two cross bows.
The majority of the 41 narcotics seizures in southern Saskatchewan were marijuana.
Barry said the ongoing emphasis on training CBSA officers in both immigration and customs matters greatly contributed to the banner year.
“Furthermore, it demonstrates the commitment our officers have in employing that training to keep in line with our enforcement priorities, which is stopping contraband and inadmissible people from entering Canada,” Barry said.
The provinces’ borders process 500 commercial trucks a day, according to Barry, and in 2014, officers in Saskatchewan seized a combined total of $85,600 in undisclosed currency from travelers.
The CBSA’s detector dog Holly helped with 22 different enforcement activities at the province’s border and at the Regina International Airport.
