More staffing needed to address anticipated influx of asylum seekers: union
OTTAWA — As Canada braces for another influx of asylum seekers coming from the U.S., border workers are raising concerns about resources while officials are trying to stem the tide of illegal migrants.
Jean-Pierre Fortin, national president of Canada’s Customs and Immigration Union, says the government’s preparations for another wave of irregular migrants this summer consist largely of reallocating of staff from other areas of the country.
He warned Monday that it could lead to overworked border security staff and longer wait times at ports of entry across the country as the busy summer travelling season sets in.
The union is “raising huge concerns,” he said, questioning how officials will cope with a summer influx given the number of asylum seekers already pouring into the country this spring.