Canada Customs & Revenue Agency
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Released: 13 May, 1998

Law Gives Customs Officers Expanded Powers Under The Criminal Code

OTTAWA, May 13, 1998...The Honourable Herb Dhaliwal, Minister of National Revenue and M.P. (Vancouver - South Burnaby) is pleased to announce that legislation expanding the scope of customs officers' powers to enforce Criminal Code violations has received Royal Assent.

Under Bill C-18, customs officers will provide a "first response" capability at ports of entry, with the power to arrest and detain individuals suspected of having committed offences under the Criminal Code, such as impaired driving, child abduction or those with outstanding arrest warrants. Officers will complement the work of police forces by bridging the gap between the time an officer detects a Criminal Code violation and the time when police can arrive and intervene.

"Customs officers already play a valuable enforcement role under the Customs Act," Mr. Dhaliwal said. "By expanding the scope of their powers to include violations under the Criminal Code, we will enhance the overall safety and security of Canadians.

"Revenue Canada would like to take this opportunity to thank our law enforcement partners, our employees, and interest groups such as Canadians Against Violence Everywhere Advocating Its Termination (CAVEAT) and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) for their contribution to this legislation," Mr. Dhaliwal added. "These groups and individuals not only provided their support, but valuable input that will help us with implementation."

Revenue Canada is committed to providing its officers with the necessary training to carry out their new functions safely, responsibly and effectively. In addition, the Department will conduct further discussions with the provinces to ensure an appropriate police response to calls from ports of entry. Renovations will be required at some customs facilities so suspects may be held safely and away from the travelling public. Implementation of these provisions is anticipated during the summer of 1999.

When this initiative is fully implemented, all officers who deal directly with individuals seeking entry into Canada will be designated to provide this first response capability. That represents 3,000 to 3,500 of the current customs officer workforce of 4,000.

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