Public Safety committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair. I have one last comment. Well, I was glad to hear today that border services officers will have pay raises now. I can go back and tell them that, because it seems evident now....

Public Safety committee  I'd like to answer the member's question. I know that you've looked into the problem of street gangs and involved the media in this on several occasions. As you know, the majority of these individuals believe that we are armed. Clearly there has been a great deal of publicity, particularly on the US side, and reports from international travellers entering the country.

Public Safety committee  Had she been armed, the customs officer would at least been able to protect herself. Mr. Cullen shared his concerns with us. RCMP experts hired by border services told us that we had the ideal infrastructure in place to protect travellers and officers. We serve as a natural road block and we can control the situation.

Public Safety committee  Regarding students, we have always said that we have a certain position regarding students--

Public Safety committee  I guess you understand that, as were a student. I also was a student, back in 1982.

Public Safety committee  Regarding the student aspect, you are correct; I think CBSA has clearly indicated that they will not be armed. Our position is the same as that of any law enforcement agency. The RCMP, for example, have a student program, which they call the cadet program. Those officers are not armed and not allowed to perform certain tasks--for example, to drive the car and other stuff.

Public Safety committee  To be clear, we don't have the exact numbers, but I think they're around 1,500. Having said that, what we are proposing to CBSA is to hire seasonal officers: fully trained officers who would probably be the next officers to be offered those jobs on the line—full-time jobs, I mean.

Public Safety committee  Well, right now, for CBSA we don't know. They're supposed to share these policies with us next week, on February 12, so we will be able to find out more then about what CBSA has in mind regarding the question you're asking.