Other issue notes (latest question period notes)—Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security: Study on gun violence (December 16, 2021)

Opioids

Proposed response

The Canada Border Services Agency is aware of the threat posed by opioids and synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, and its related substances, as well as the precursor chemicals used in making them. To prevent these substances from entering Canada, the Agency uses a variety of detection tools, techniques and the latest scientific technology.

The CBSA works closely with domestic and international law-enforcement partners to identify individuals, groups and businesses suspected of importing controlled drugs as well as substances that can be used in the manufacture of these drugs.

Between January 2016 and September 2021, the CBSA intercepted over 52 kilograms of fentanyl in 365 seizures.

If pressed on actions taken to combat the opioid overdose crisis

The Government of Canada has invested in increasing the CBSA's capacity to interdict illicit substances from entering the country, including:

• equipping ports of entry with the necessary equipment to safely examine goods suspected to contain these highly toxic substances
• launching regional drug screening facilities staffed by field chemists in high-risk locations
• deploying more detector dog teams trained to recognize the scent of fentanyl

Background

The CBSA contributes to the Government of Canada's Canadian Drugs and Substances Strategy by reducing the cross-border flow of illicit opioids, the precursor chemicals used to make them, and other prohibited drugs. Between January 2015 and September 2021, the CBSA has intercepted over 52 kilograms of fentanyl in 365 seizures.

The Government of Canada has made investments to increase the CBSA's capacity to stop illicit substances at the border. Six new detector dog service teams were deployed to the [Redacted] regions in March 2019. The CBSA is also on track to meeting its commitment to the Treasury Board to equip 81 ports of entry with Designated Safe Examination Areas. These marked-off areas are already used in 66 ports of entry, allowing CBSA Officers to safely examine packages of suspected fentanyl using nonintrusive methods.

Three regional screening facilities staffed by field chemists have been successfully launched in [Redacted]. The regions have benefitted from the real-time presumptive identification of highly toxic substances, controlled substances, precursor chemicals and other dangerous goods.

In addition to working closely with domestic and international partners to disrupt the flow of illicit drugs, the CBSA continues to actively participate in the Organized Crime (OC) Joint Operations Centre (JOC) along with the RCMP. The Centre collects, analyzes and disseminates information and intelligence among member agencies about opioids and activities related to organized crime to support enforcement and disruption efforts.

Since China listed fentanyl and its related substances as controlled substances in May 2019, fentanyl import seizures have significantly decreased. In 2020, the CBSA made fewer seizures of fentanyl from sources outside Canada, but seized considerably larger quantities of precursor chemicals. With stricter border controls worldwide on fentanyl and its related substances, non-controlled synthetic alternatives and precursor chemicals are now being imported to meet Canadian demand.

Health Canada leads the Canadian Drugs and Substances Strategy which sets out a four-pillar evidence based approach of prevention, treatment, harm reduction and enforcement. The CBSA, together with Public Safety Canada and other portfolio partners, do their part by reducing the amount of illegal substances being imported, including synthetic opioids like fentanyl – a key driver of this crisis. Together, this group monitors emerging trends in the illicit drug market and engages with its portfolio and international partners to advance supply-reduction policies to mitigate the harms posed by these substances.