Mr. Speaker, it is truly shameful the way the minister treats our customs officers and Canadians by not giving them the tools that they need at the border.
Our police ranks are understaffed. RCMP officers have already been pulled off the streets to work on the gun registry. Now the minister wants to move more officers to the border.
It should be the job of Canada Customs, not the police, to protect our borders, but the government will not allow customs officers to carry weapons.
Will the minister commit today to granting customs officers peace officer status so that they can protect our borders and the police can protect our streets?