CBSA shut out of 'Shiprider'

December 14, 2009 Cornwall Standard Freeholder

The National Coalition Against Contraband Tobacco says leaving the Canada Border Services Agency out of the Shiprider program is "a missed opportunity" to enhance border security.

Shiprider ran a 57-day pilot program in 2007 to test the effectiveness of an agreement to co-operate on maritime law enforcement meant to crack down on smuggling of illegal drugs, guns and people, in waterways shared by Canada and the U. S. , including the St. Lawrence River.

RCMP officers would hitch a ride on U. S. Coast Guard vessels.

"The Shiprider program is a good one, but the government missed an opportunity with this legislation to enact complimentary measures to secure the border," said Gary Grant of the National Coalition Against Contraband Tobacco (NCACT) and a retired Toronto Police Service Staff Superintendent.

"The gap left in our border by this legislation can't be ignored. It's like making sure the front door is locked, but leaving the window open.

"The government's Bill C-60 may formalize the Shiprider program, but it fails to address one of the most serious cross-border crime conduits in the country -- the flow of contraband tobacco from the U. S., through the Awkesasne reserve and into Ontario and Quebec."

However, Public Safety Minister Peter Van Loan's office said RCMP and U. S. officers seized more than 1.4 million contraband cigarettes and more than 215 pounds of marijuana during the pilot project.

Van Loan's spokesperson, Christopher McCluskey, fielded questions directed at the CBSA because the agency was not involved in the Shiprider pilot program.

McCluskey said the CBSA is not considered a police agency under the legislation proposed by Bill C-60.

RCMP Sgt. Harvey has said repeatedly that at least 90% of the contraband tobacco being smuggled into Canada comes through the Akwesasne Mohawk Territory.

"As an organization, the Customs and Immigration Union's key concern with Bill C-60 and Shiprider is that Canadian Border Services Agency is not even part of the equation," said Ron Moran, president of the Customs and Immigration Union and a member of the NCACT.

"As would be expected with a cross-border enforcement initiative like Shiprider, the U. S. Customs and Border Protection Service is front-and-centre but, in contrast, the Canadian Customs and Immigration Service is altogether absent.

"If the government is serious about tightening up the border, CBSA and Canada's customs and immigration professionals need to be involved."

NCACT studies have also shown the presence of contraband tobacco is rapidly growing in Canada, particularly in Ontario and Quebec.

A recent study by the NCACT and Canadian Convenience Stores Association of Ontario and Quebec found that 30% of the cigarette butts found around Ontario high schools and 45% at Quebec schools were contraband tobacco. More detail on the study can be found at www.stopcontrabandtobacco.ca