Port Of Montréal Operations
Issue
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) continues to see an increase in stolen vehicles destined for export. While efforts are underway to curb this illegal activity, the Agency does not bare the sole responsibility in combating auto theft and it faces its own challenges such as warehouse space and coordination between partners.
Proposed Response
- At the Port of Montréal, CBSA has been dedicating resources to recovering stolen vehicles since 2008.
- In 2022, at the Port of Montréal, one of Canada’s busiest marine export hubs, the CBSA recovered 1,050 vehicles, worth approximately $60 million.
- The CBSA’s actions have resulted in a 200% increase in stolen vehicle interceptions at the Port of Montréal over the past three years.
Overview
The CBSA’s mandate at the Port of Montreal is to inspect and prohibit contraband material such as weapons, explosives, narcotics and other illicit goods entering or exiting Canada through the Port of Montreal by vessel, marine container or rail.
CBSA examines goods based on the pre-arrival information submitted by the shipping lines. Border Service Officers are trained to enforce regulations and regularly refer containers for further examination. The CBSA Montréal Marine and Rail Services is responsible for port operations, including the Port of Montréal Container Examination Centre.
The current number of resources at the CBSA’s Montréal Marine and Rail Services is over 40 officers. Additional officers can be assigned to the Port of Montreal for specific initiatives or based on operational needs.
Broad Range of Activities
- Container inspections:
- Container is fully unloaded for an inspection at the container examination centre
- Large Scale Imaging (targeted containers and vessel offloads)
- Pier examinations
- Carborne examinations (Radiation Portals)
In 2023, 1.4 million containers (20 ft equivalents) passed through the Port of Montréal: 697,327 imported and 705,282 exported.
In 2022, CBSA recovered 1,050 vehicles at the Port of Montréal.
In 2023, CBSA recovered 1,204 vehicles at the Port of Montréal.
- Export verifications
- Vessel examinations (Ports of Montréal, Valleyfield, Contrecoeur, Sorel, Trois-Rivières)
- Verification of dockside activities (including verifying deliveries, and other activities on the port)
- Clearance of passengers and crew at Saint-Hubert airport
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