Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has unveiled a set of budget measures to strengthen Canada’s border security, including hiring 1,000 new border officers, increasing recruitment incentives and improving retirement benefits for frontline personnel. The Canadian government’s 2025 budget is scheduled to be presented to the House of Commons on Nov. 4.
Salary Boost for New CBSA Recruits
According to Ottawa’s announcement released Friday, the government will seek to attract and retain Canada Border Services Agency officers, with a salary increase for recruits from the current weekly rate of about $89 to approximately $374. The salary hike, roughly a 320 percent increase, will be the first since 2005, the Canadian government noted.
In addition, the government will amend the Public Service Superannuation Act to provide enhanced retirement benefits to CBSA officers and other first responders. The amendment would allow eligible personnel to retire after 25 years of service, regardless of age, without pension cuts. The benefits reform will also extend to federal and territorial firefighters, paramedics, correctional officers, search and rescue workers, and parliamentary protection officers.
All Points of Entry Covered in New Recruits’ Deployment
Canada is increasing its budget on border security amid growing concerns about cross-border trafficking, organized crime and trade violations. The new CBSA recruits will be deployed at the country’s air, land, rail and marine ports of entry to target movement of stolen goods, illegal guns, and drugs, as well as counter unfair trade practices and smuggling operations.
“The world is increasingly dangerous and divided, and as Canadians, we must look out for ourselves,” Prime Minister Carney said in announcing the budget plans for tighter border security. “That is why Canada’s new government is relentlessly focused on protecting our border, our country and our way of life,” Carney stressed.
Besides the boost in CBSA’s ranks, Ottawa’s proposed 2025 budget also provides funding for hiring 1,000 new Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers. Canada is also tightening bail and sentencing provisions for violent and repeat offenders as part of the government’s broader public safety agenda.
Earlier in December, the Canadian government announced it is strengthening the country’s border security and immigration system through a five-pronged plan that includes an investment support of about $903 million.