Hundreds of CBSA employees linked to misconduct cases in bombshell report

From driving a CBSA vehicle while intoxicated to associating with a drug trafficker, a new CBSA report details some serious employee misconduct.

On Thursday, Dec. 18, CBSA published its first annual report on Addressing Misconduct and Wrongdoing, which is "meant to increase transparency" and reveal how the agency handles reports of misconduct or wrongdoing.

Other shocking cases include sexual harassment and, in one case, associating with a known drug trafficker. Results published in the report are based on investigations carried out by external bodies from April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025. It found that 259 CBSA employees were involved in misconduct and wrongdoing, resulting in terminations and suspensions.

"The CBSA can only carry out its mandate if it holds the confidence of those we serve, and we can only gain that confidence if we support and trust one another," states CBSA President Erin O'Gorman. "We all play a vital role in maintaining an environment free of harassment, discrimination, and misconduct."

The CBSA has 17,000 employees, 8,500 of whom are front-line employees at 1,200 ports of entry across Canada and 36 countries. The report emphasizes that misconduct and wrongdoing "occur among a small proportion of CBSA employees," or 1.52 per cent.

During this period, CBSA initiated 409 investigations, 367 of which were completed. It found that 259, or 71 per cent, of these cases included founded allegations. The CBSA conducted 465 investigations on employees from 2023 to 2024. But although it conducted more investigations that year, 319, or 63 per cent, of those cases involved founded allegations.

Creating a culture of accountability at the CBSA

O'Gorman stated that they want employees to feel safe coming forward so that the agency can address issues.

"We want a culture where people speak up if they experience or witness wrongdoing or discriminatory behaviour and know that the CBSA has policies and processes that will address them," she said.

CBSA employees can report suspected misconduct to their manager or the Professional Integrity Division. The report also draws a clear distinction between misconduct and wrongdoing.

Misconduct can include actions inconsistent with the agency's policies, standards, procedures, or practices. Employee misconduct can consist of breaking the law or actions that harm the CBSA's reputation.

Wrongdoing includes violating legislation, misusing public funds or assets, gross mismanagement, or putting people's health or safety at risk.

A total of 15 employees were investigated for criminality and/or criminal association, private, off-duty conduct, and outside activities. Examples include:

• Conflict of interest with a vendor
• Consuming or being in possession of an illegal substance while off duty
• Theft
• Associating with a known drug trafficker
• Driving a CBSA vehicle while intoxicated

These investigations led to:

• Two terminations
• 11 corrective measures ranging from counselling on expected behaviour to a 20-day suspension
• One resignation
• One departure from CBSA prior to discipline being rendered

A total of 20 employees were investigated for financial mismanagement, conflict of interest, and/or fraud. Examples include:

• Falsifying medical notes to justify absences
• Time fraud by misrepresenting hours of work or claiming overtime not worked
• Misuse of CBSA travel credit card

Investigations into these cases resulted in:

• 16 corrective measures ranging from counselling on expected behaviour to a five-day suspension
• Two departures from CBSA prior to discipline being rendered
• Two disciplinary processes are in progress

A total of 21 employees were investigated for harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and violence in the workplace. Examples include:

• Inappropriate sexual comments
• Disrespectful behaviour
• Making threats of physical violence
• Deploying defensive equipment during an altercation
• Inappropriate touching

Investigations in this category resulted in:

• Two terminations
• 17 corrective measures ranging from counselling on expected behaviour to a 12-day suspension
• Two term employment contracts ended before any disciplinary or administrative steps could be taken

A total of 203 investigations on accountability and professional conduct made up the majority of the founded cases. Examples include:

• Failing to conduct a proper search during an arrest
• Failing to refer an individual subject to a lookout for secondary examination
• Failing to enter required information in CBSA systems
• Providing false statements
• Misuse of law enforcement databases
• Hiring family members or friends
• Cheating on a selection process
• Interfering in immigration processing
• Use of a personal cell phone while on duty
• Providing preferential treatment to a family member

Investigations in this category resulted in:

• 174 corrective measures that range from counselling to a 30-day suspension
• Seven departures before being disciplined
• 22 not receiving discipline due to mitigating factors

"As I recognize the efforts taken to address misconduct and wrongdoing, we need to work as hard to prevent these unacceptable behaviours from happening in the first place," stated O’Gorman.