Rigaud, Quebec, September 11, 2007 -- The Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of Public Safety, and the Honourable Michael M. Fortier, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister Responsible for the Region of Montréal, today announced plans to expand the Canada Border Services Agency's (CBSA) Learning Centre in Rigaud, Quebec, with an investment of $50 million.
The renovations, which will be implemented over three years, will allow the Centre to train approximately 220 more new recruits each year and to operate the new CBSA firearms training program. The renovations include a new indoor firing range, a multi-purpose building and expanded residential capacity.
"CBSA officers help to ensure the safety and prosperity of Canadians by keeping our border secure, which is why Canada's New Government is proudly investing in new training programs and facilities," said Minister Day. "With this expansion, the Rigaud facility will play an even greater role in training and qualifying officers, including offering the new firearms training."
This project is a key component of the $101 million initiative announced by Canada's New Government in Budget 2006 to begin arming CBSA officers and eliminating work-alone situations. The expansion will allow the CBSA to incorporate firearms training into its Port of Entry Recruit Training program at the Centre.
The CBSA Learning Centre is the Agency's national training facility, and it currently employs some 260 employees and contractors. Some 850 new recruits are expected to be trained per year once the renovations are complete, up from the 630 new recruits currently being trained annually.
"The CBSA Learning Centre is a major local employer, and the expansion project will bring even more benefits to the local community," said Minister Fortier. "I am pleased that Canada's New Government has invested in this region's future prosperity and in Canada's border security."
The CBSA is responsible for facilitating the access of people and goods to and from Canada, and for providing integrated border services that support national security and public safety priorities.
For more information, please visit the CBSA's Web Site at www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca.
-30-
For media information:
Mélisa Leclerc
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Stockwell Day
Minister of Public Safety
(613) 991-2863
