Posted on 06/26/2002 3:58:25 AM PDT by kattracks
Vancouver, B.C. (CNSNews.com) - The union representing 3,500 full-time Canadian customs officials at 175 border crossings between the Canada and the U.S. claims the Canadian government is putting both countries at risk by employing summer students.
On the eve of the G8 Summit near Calgary, Alberta, the Canada Excise Union (CEU) has launched a campaign to convince the Canadian public and Canada-watchers south of the border that Canada's practice of employing 1,100 students to staff border-crossing booths and fulfill other routine tasks must end.
The union claims the student officers are not adequately trained to confront potentially dangerous people, including terrorists, or to screen travelers attempting to circumvent immigration policies in either country.
Earlier this year, union president Serge Charette told Canada's Senate Committee on National Defense and Security that Canada has not done enough to address America's post-Sept. 11 concerns.
"Other than allocate some funds ... and sign a declaration with our American friends, few tangibles have been delivered to demonstrate to Americans that our enforcement practices will be as secure as we can make them," Charette said.
Last December, the Canadian government committed $4.84 billion (U.S.) over five years for airline security, and beefed-up military, intelligence, and police support. Since then it has added 130 fully trained customs officers at key ports and airports. However, it has continued to rely on students to staff regular border crossings during the busy summer.
Michel Proulx, spokesman for Canada Customs, defended the practice of hiring students, which he said began 40 years ago. Proulx said the program continues to work well and noted that the U.S. National Guard also uses students to staff border posts. Indeed, a U.S. National (Army) Guard recruiting website opens with the question: "Need money for college?"
But the CEU argues that students, who train for two weeks compared with the seven or more weeks that regular officers train, lack the key power to make arrests. Proulx did admit that not all regular customs officers have completed the "officer power training" which allows them to enforce the Criminal Code.
Student staffers do not pay union dues, and Proulx suggested that money is a key factor in this dispute. "Obviously they've got their agenda," he said. For its part, the union characterizes the use of students as "cheap labor." (Students earn roughly $6.58 U.S. an hour, compared with $16.45 for unionized officers.)
There are 112 million crossings of the Canadian border points annually. At issue is the changing role of customs officers. Last spring a Canadian ministerial spokesman described border officials as "'Welcome-to-Canada' folks." But the union argues that the tasks involve more skill and risk, and that 1,000 more fully trained officers are required.
If you were a kid in Western New Brunswick (adult unemployment 12%), you would kill for this kind of summer gig. Beats the potato harvest in the fall.
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