Come meet our Recruiters! – cbsa-asfc.gc.ca

Come Meet Our Recruiters! – cbsa-asfc.gc.ca

By GovPrepare News Desk – October 29, 2025

Standfirst: The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is launching a national recruitment outreach, offering Canadians the chance to meet recruiters and explore careers in border security. This initiative aims to strengthen CBSA’s workforce and support its public safety mandate.

Key Highlights

• CBSA is hosting in-person and virtual recruitment events across Canada.
• The initiative targets applicants interested in border services, enforcement, and public safety roles.
• Recruiters will provide insight into eligibility, training programs, and CBSA career paths.
• The campaign supports efforts to modernize border operations and diversify the agency workforce.
• CBSA continues to hire graduates, bilingual applicants, and candidates from Indigenous and visible minority communities.
• Events will run into 2026 across major Canadian cities and online platforms.

Background and Context

The Canada Border Services Agency plays a vital role in national safety, trade facilitation, and immigration enforcement. With a workforce of over 14,000 employees, CBSA safeguards over 1,200 entry points into Canada and processes over 90 million travelers annually, according to the agency’s 2023 Annual Report.

In recent years, CBSA has taken steps to address workforce needs amid evolving border threats and modernization goals. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the agency accelerated digital border processing initiatives and renewed its commitment to community engagement and hiring diversity through its Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Strategy.

The agency’s Border Services Officer (BSO) Recruitment Campaign has been critical in replenishing a retiring workforce and sourcing candidates with the digital, linguistic, and interpersonal skills needed to meet emerging challenges at the border.

The New Development

On October 25, 2025, the CBSA announced an expanded schedule of live and virtual recruitment events through its official careers portal (cbsa-asfc.gc.ca). Branded “Come Meet Our Recruiters!”, the initiative is a nationwide effort to engage future applicants.

The recruitment series is set to cover major urban centers including Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Calgary, Winnipeg, and Halifax, as well as rural and northern communities. Virtual webinars and question-and-answer sessions will also be available for remote participants. These events extend through spring 2026.

Recruiters and current CBSA staff will be on-site to provide one-on-one guidance on job qualifications, fitness and psychological standards, the 13-week CBSA Officer Induction Training Program, and long-term employment opportunities. Attendees will also be able to access materials on career progression, Indigenous recruitment pathways, student programs, and bilingual tracks.

“We’re proud to engage Canadians directly to explain who we are, what we do, and how vital border security is to our public safety,” said a CBSA spokesperson. “This campaign shows our commitment to transparency, inclusion, and planning the workforce of the future.”

Expert and Industry Reaction

Public sector human resources analysts have welcomed CBSA’s approach, noting the importance of visible, community-centered hiring practices in strengthening public trust in law enforcement careers.

“Agencies like the CBSA need to be more proactive in reaching out to the younger, diverse, and multilingual workforce Canada increasingly represents,” said Dr. Marie Tremblay, a professor of Public Administration at the University of Ottawa. “By personalizing the recruitment process and demystifying the role of border officers, CBSA increases its ability to attract quality candidates.”

Unions such as the Customs and Immigration Union (CIU), which represents over 10,000 CBSA employees, have previously called for better training and improved staffing to reduce burnout at ports of entry. They have voiced cautious optimism about recruiting efforts as part of solutions to longstanding operational pressures.

Alignment with Global or National Standards

CBSA’s recruitment drive aligns with broader federal and international strategies encouraging responsive and inclusive public service employment. In particular, it reflects commitments set out in Canada’s Public Service Employment Strategy for Indigenous Peoples and employment equity plans monitored by the Treasury Board Secretariat.

Globally, CBSA’s efforts mirror customs and border security modernization programs in peer countries. For instance, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) “Hiring Our Heroes” campaign and similar initiatives by European border agencies promote upskilling, retention, and recruitment in law enforcement with emphasis on equity and operational readiness.

Additionally, CBSA has incorporated United Nations guidance on gender balance and ethical recruitment under the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration (GCM), signed by Canada in 2018.

Impact on Stakeholders

For Citizens: The campaign provides an accessible entry point to explore stable and well-compensated federal careers. Candidates will gain clarity on application timelines, physical training requirements, and role expectations before officially applying.

For Government Agencies: CBSA’s outreach helps build operational resilience by attracting new talent to fill critical shortages. It also reflects a high level of accountability and engagement with the public about career openings in the security sector.

For Students and Job Seekers: The agency’s focus on youth and underrepresented communities creates new pathways and financial support opportunities. The Federal Student Work Experience Program (FSWEP), for example, connects interested students with internships and entry-level roles.

In the Long-Term: Better staffing, training, and geographic recruitment can reduce processing times at border crossings, improve traveler experience, and support Canada’s economic and immigration goals. Enhanced workforce diversity also brings cultural competencies crucial for managing international interactions and crisis response.

Official Guidance

• Canada Border Services Agency – Careers Page
• Government of Canada Newsroom
• Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat – Employment Equity
• BSO Selection Process & Requirements
• CBSA Indigenous Student and Employment Programs

Conclusion

CBSA’s “Come Meet Our Recruiters!” campaign offers a timely and transparent opportunity for Canadians to learn about public safety careers and connect directly with government officials. As recruitment events progress into 2026, the agency aims to onboard a new generation of skilled border professionals capable of handling 21st-century security and service challenges.

Ongoing updates for scheduling, eligibility, and application deadlines are available via the CBSA’s official careers portal. Those considering a dynamic and purposeful career in the federal public service are encouraged to attend and engage.

Excerpt (Meta Description): CBSA launches nationwide “Come Meet Our Recruiters!” campaign to engage Canadians on careers in border security and public safety, starting October 2025.

Tags: CBSA recruitment, Canada Border Services, public safety jobs, federal careers Canada, BSO training, government employment, border security jobs, Indigenous hiring Canada, CBSA virtual events, careers in law enforcement, CBSA job fairs, hiring diversity CBSA