The Evolution of the Customs Profession and Institution in Canada, 1988–2018: From Customs Inspector (CI) to Border Services Officer (BSO)
Abstract
The policy paper From Customs Inspector to Border Services Officer discusses how significant political, economic, security, and migratory events of the 1988–2018 period have shaped Canadian border policies, significantly widening the scope of the Customs mandate and ultimately changing the nature of the border. The paper offers the unique perspective and insight of a seasoned border management practitioner, having served regionally as front line officer, nationally as director in policy roles, and internationally as Canada’s senior border services representative at the European Union (EU) in Brussels. It examines the transformation of the customs institution and culture as a result of the creation of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) in 2003; and the arming of front line officers in 2006. Finally, the paper explores the evolution of the customs profession and its practices, notably how the recruitment and training of front line officers developed to support these institutional and cultural transformations.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Hubert Duchesneau
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