Well, sometimes we cynically refer to the glacier-like speed of government. In this case, although at times I've had some frustration, it's evident there's a lot more to seeing officers armed than simply getting them sidearms. For instance, to keep costs down, we have embarked on and we're now fully engaged in a process of training trainers.
Along with the ability to have a firearm, a person also needs to be trained in a multitude of other tasks related to borders and transport of goods and apprehension of same, so the training has to be consistent with the broader training package. On the training of the trainers, just on that process alone--and it was very good uptake in terms of people who wanted to be raised to that level--the amount of time they have to go through for training and certification, psychological testing, and the emergency health training they have to take...that alone is a very extensive process.
Then there's the identification of facilities that can handle the increased amount of people who are being trained. There was a process that we've been involved in, in terms of getting the training package done. I wanted it done in such a way that once it's in place and once we have people being trained, and we have the trainers now, what you are going to see are that expressions of interest will be asked for from other agencies, other groups, who would like to provide the same training program, possibly in a more efficient way or alongside what CBSA is doing.
With respect to the identification and the construction of storage facilities for firearms--the officers will not be taking firearms to their homes, their residences, as they have to be stored properly--you can imagine the amount of regulation that goes on there. It had to be an open competitive bid process to secure not only the firearms themselves but also the holsters and the ammunition that goes with them. I can tell you that a firearm, a sidearm, has been identified and the procurement through an open process is happening.
The amount of ancillary instruction and support that goes with simply arming border officers is very significant. When you think about it, it has been a little over a year now, and this summer you're going to see those first officers across the country who are armed. Then you will see the pickup accelerate, because all of this preliminary stuff that takes so long and has to be painstakingly done will be cleared.
I'm pleased with how it's moving now, but I was having some frustration at the start of the process. There's no question in my mind that CBSA is moving along with this. They're moving along in an expeditious way, but it has to be done with all the appropriate care and regulatory processes that have to be involved in this.
It's actually consistent too with what we've seen when the U.S. did its arming. It's fairly consistent on the timelines, the things that have to be built into this process.