Question Period Note: Procurements related to Border Crossings

Protecting Canadian sovereignty and keeping Canadians safe by securing our borders is a government priority. Public Services and Procurement Canada supports this priority in its role as a common service provider by leading procurements related to border crossings.

• The Government of Canada is committed to enhancing security at our borders and protecting Canadian sovereignty
  • Public Services and Procurement Canada, in its role as a common service provider, will continue to support the Canada Border Services Agency, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Public Safety, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, Health Canada, the Privy Council Office, and Global Affairs Canada for procurements related to border crossings
  • Public Service and Procurement Canada has led several activities, for example, accommodations to house asylum seekers in Ontario and Québec; chartering helicopters; acquiring imaging systems, chemical detectors, and laboratory fit-ups to expand Canada’s fentanyl drug testing lab capacity and analysis capabilities and purchasing drones
  • Public Services and Procurement Canada will continue to support requirements to secure our borders using standard procurement practices and existing procurement tools to reduce risks and obtain best value for money

If pressed on the Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle border modernization project:

• Public Services and Procurement Canada is supporting the Canada Border Services Agency’s need for additional space to process asylum seekers, including by securing leases for spaces near the Lacolle port of entry
• Two contracts to modernize the site have been put in place. The first contract, worth $91 million, is for construction management services and the second, worth $13.2 million, is for architectural and engineering services
• The construction began in fall 2024 and will be completed in spring 2028

As a result of the political context with the United States, the Canada Border Services Agency, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Public Safety, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada, Health Canada, the Privy Council Office, and Global Affairs Canada have identified several key procurements related to border control.

Public Services and Procurement Canada previously led several procurements over the last few years on behalf of federal departments to manage a surge in asylum seekers as there was significant public attention on the Roxham Road, Quebec, entry point.

Public Services and Procurement Canada is also supporting the Canada Border Services Agency for procurements related to detention of high risk detainees, which became necessary following a decision from provinces to withdraw from agreements to house these detainees in provincial prisons.

• Since January 2025, Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) has led approximately 40 acquisitions (which includes leases) related to border crossings, which are at various stages of the procurement process
  • For example:
  • PSPC chartered 3 Blackhawk helicopters on behalf of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to support surveillance activities. Charter services, valued at $11.7 million, continue until June 30, 2025