The Canadian government will spend an additional $137 million to add staff and new technology at border checkpoints across the country, including in Windsor, said Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino on Tuesday.
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Canada Border Services Agency will see an additional 19 to 20 full-time CBSA officers at the Ambassador Bridge and Detroit-Windsor tunnel, along with additional state-of the art-technology, said Mendicino during a visit in Windsor.
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“This will put more boots on the ground to help facilitate trade and travel,” he said of the new federal funds included within the government’s fall economic statement.
“Last year, we had a record number of firearms seized at the border. This will help build on what we already spend to stop illegal guns from getting into our communities.”
Administrators with the city of Windsor indicated recently there have been discussions taking place with the federal government and bridge company about relocating secondary inspection for trucks at the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor closer to the exit.
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A relocated secondary truck inspection plaza on the city’s west end — should it take place — would be on properties owned by the bridge company that include lands off Mill Street, Indian Road, plus the former Forster Secondary School and its playing field.
Currently, secondary truck inspection at the bridge takes place two kilometres away on a large site off Malden Road.
Mendicino said that was not the purpose of his visit on Tuesday and would not talk specifically about the possibility of relocating CBSA secondary truck inspection closer to the bridge on the city’s west end other than to say, “we are always looking at a variety of ways to increase efficiency and travel at the border.”
The public safety minister also indicated preparations are underway for staffing and technology requirements for the new Gordie Howe International Bridge which is scheduled to open in late 2024 or early 2025. He visited the construction site during his stop in Windsor.
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“We are in the throes of doing the work with CBSA to prepare for once it’s fully operational,” he said. “We have got people in place supporting the project.”
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During his visit on Tuesday, Mendicino also spoke with several local labour leaders during a stop at LIUNA Local 625.
“We talked about collaboration with our government and labour,” he said. “We have seen over the last few days how labour rights can’t be taken for granted. Our government will defend workers’ rights and their rights under collective bargaining.”
