News Release

National 2007

CBSA releases internal report and recommendations following the events at Vancouver International Airport

Vancouver, British Columbia, November 26, 2007 -- The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) today released its internal report on the Agency's involvement with Mr. Robert Dziekanski at Vancouver International Airport on October 13 and 14, 2007, along with a set of recommendations for immediate action. 

"First and foremost, on behalf of the CBSA and its employees, I would like to extend our sincere and deepest sympathies to the family of Mr. Dziekanski. Our thoughts are with Mr. Dziekanski’s family and friends at this difficult time," said Alain Jolicoeur, President of the CBSA.

Following the incident, the Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of Public Safety, asked the CBSA to conduct a review of what happened on October 13th and 14th at Vancouver International Airport. The CBSA has now completed and released this internal report.

Based on the findings of the review, the CBSA is taking immediate action on the following recommendations:

1. The CBSA, along with other partners such as the Vancouver Airport Authority, will review procedures on services provided for international travellers and those waiting to meet them. 
2. The CBSA will update its list of employees who can speak languages other than English and French. The CBSA will also review its interpreter services to make sure that the services are provided as quickly as possible. 
3. More cameras will be installed to provide an expanded coverage of the CBSA’s area at Vancouver International Airport. 
4. The Agency will explore options to have more patrols and security checks within the CBSA’s area.
5. The CBSA will review its procedure to ensure that all persons referred for further examinations report to the secondary examination areas within a reasonable amount of time.

The CBSA may also implement actions as new information and facts are revealed by the ongoing investigations.

"I assure you that the CBSA is committed to implementing these recommendations without delay here at Vancouver International Airport and at other international airports as appropriate, to further secure and safely facilitate travellers’ entry," said Mr. Jolicoeur.

• Report Pertaining to the Interaction of the CBSA With Robert Dziekanski on October 13-14, 2007
• Appendix A: Chronology of Events (PDF, 45 Kb)

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For media information:

CBSA Media Relations