Statement by the CBSA Concerning a Service Disruption at Several Ports of Entry

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Dec. 11, 2012) - "At this time the following ports of entry are experiencing a service disruption and border users may encounter delays.

• Ambassador Bridge
• Blue Water Bridge

The current disruption is a result of work refusals by several officers at these ports of entry, who question the health and safety implications of wearing a name tag on their uniform.

Personalized name tags reflect our commitment to service excellence and reinforce the professionalism and integrity for which CBSA officers are known. The implementation of name tags aligns our policy with that of our partners such as the Canadian Forces, Correctional Service Canada and United States Customs and Border Protection, whose frontline uniformed officers all wear name tags.

In 2011, the CBSA handled more than 13.5 million commercial releases, and processed over 96 million travellers through our ports of entry. The efficient movement of goods and people through our secure border is not only vital for trade, but helps promote Canada as an international destination for leisure and business travellers alike.

At the CBSA, we understand that many Canadian jobs and the welfare of many Canadian communities depend on an open and efficient border. While any reduction in resources at the border is a challenge, CBSA management will closely monitor the flow of traffic at the border and endeavor to mitigate and resolve any unwarranted delays.

While we are surprised by the extent of the reaction today, every case of a work refusal is treated seriously and immediate steps are taken to resolve the situation. The CBSA fully respects the rights of its more than 15,000 employees. Over the past year, the Agency worked closely and ensured consistent communication with our staff, labour relations and union representatives as we prepared to launch name tags for uniformed officers.

We expect our officers will continue to fulfill their duties with the highest level of integrity and professionalism. Illegal actions and inappropriate behaviour on the part of our employees will be dealt with accordingly.

We thank you for your patience as we work to resolve this situation. We encourage all travellers to consult border wait times on the CBSA Web site at www.cbsa.gc.ca. Mobile travellers will find wait times easily accessible on our mobile Web site, or can follow us on Twitter for hourly border wait time updates at BWT_CBSA."

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