RCMP Urges Government to Maintain Exclusive Policing Role Between Ports of Entry

The National Police Federation opposes CBSA’s expanded border role, urging Ottawa to invest in RCMP policing

OTTAWA – The National Police Federation (NPF) is pushing back against proposals to expand the role of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) in patrolling areas between official ports of entry.

The organization asserts that the RCMP remains the only national police force equipped to effectively secure Canada’s vast 9,000 km border with the U.S.

According to the NPF, border security requires a coordinated, highly trained, and well-resourced approach—one that only the RCMP can provide.

The Federation highlights that CBSA officers are already facing staffing shortages, with their own union reporting a deficit of 2,000 to 3,000 front-line officers. Currently, CBSA only inspects about 1% of goods entering Canada, raising concerns about its ability to take on an expanded enforcement role.

Calls for Increased RCMP Resources

NPF President and CEO Brian Sauvé emphasized that instead of diverting resources to agencies not trained for full-scale border policing, the federal government should strengthen the RCMP’s Federal Policing Program. The NPF is urging the government to:

• Reaffirm the RCMP’s Role in patrolling and investigating cross-border crime outside official ports of entry.
• Increase RCMP Personnel by hiring at least 1,000 new officers to meet national security and enforcement demands.
• Expand Training Capacity at the RCMP Depot to produce 480 additional officers annually.
• Enhance Equipment and Technology Procurement to support border enforcement operations.
• Strengthen Intelligence Sharing with integrated law enforcement teams to counter organized crime and emerging threats.

A Call for Government Action

With Ottawa announcing a $1.3 billion investment in border infrastructure and technology, the NPF argues that more focus must be placed on increasing RCMP staffing levels. “A safe and secure border is critical to national security,” said Sauvé. “The RCMP is already doing this job effectively, and with the right investment, we can amplify our response to emerging threats.”

The National Police Federation continues to advocate for additional resources and support to maintain Canada’s border security.