ARCHIVED - Minister of Public Safety Tours CBSA Operations at Pearson International Airport

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TORONTO, August 9, 2011 — Today Canada's Public Safety Minister, Vic Toews, toured the Canada Border Services Agency's (CBSA) operations at Pearson International Airport in Toronto, Ontario. CBSA officials walked the Minister through clearance processes used at Canadian airports to help protect our borders and keep Canadians safe.

“Effective and efficient border operations are vital to both security and economic prosperity in Canada,” said Minister Toews. “Everyday, CBSA works hard to help ensure the smooth flow of legitimate trade and legitimate travellers into our country, while also ensuring that illegal and dangerous goods and people are kept out.”

Minister Toews visited the Primary Inspection Lanes at Terminal 1. Here he met with CBSA officers who greet travellers entering Canada on international flights, asking them about their immigration status and goods they may be importing. Minister Toews then toured the Customs and Immigration Secondary areas, where travelers may be asked to go for additional checks. Media joined Minister Toews for a demonstration of a secondary examination, where they were shown how the CBSA use detector dogs and portable X-ray machines to carry out their work.

“Our Government's top priority remains completing the economic recovery. Each day over 200,000 people enter Canada for business or pleasure, and their first point of contact is a CBSA border services officer,” said Minister Toews. “CBSA officers are Canada's front-line defense against smuggling and are always on the alert for illegal drugs and other contraband.”

The Government has a duty to protect the safety of all Canadians. Working at home and abroad, the CBSA is constantly finding new ways to increase security at our borders, while facilitating the flow of legitimate travellers and trade in and out of Canada. For more information, visit http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/.

Information:
Media Relations
Public Safety Canada
613-991-0657

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