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The Wildly Popular ‘Border Security’ Series
The wildly popular ‘Border Security’ series produced by Force Four Entertainment and televised on the NATGEO Wild channel is hard to classify. One thing is for certain - the voyeuristic thrill that people get from viewing a day in the life of a border guard as they attempt to determine which of the thousands of people crossing our borders every day are harmless and which pose a threat.
With an uncanny ability to ferret out the truth, the real CBSA (Canada Border Services Agency) border guards, determine who is lying about their plans of travel, who is being deceptive about a previous criminal record, as well as arresting those having illegally entered Canada.
CBSA Border Guard Authority
Did you know that border guards have more authority than regular law enforcement officers? Under the Canada Customs Act, CBSA officers have the authority to stop and search individuals, their baggage and other possessions at any Canadian port of entry. That includes land border crossings, air terminals and sea ports.
The show depicts a range of situations from heroin being smuggled inside stuffed toys to a traveler’s phone being confiscated and their text messages scrutinized, for just wanting to enter the country. If you have a criminal record, the chances of border crossing issues are even more likely. As seen on the show, a border guard can take your laptop from you, go through your emails, and if it’s found you have a criminal record, deny you entry to the country.
There has been much criticism of the show recently. The BC Civil Liberties Association suggested that the series violated people’s privacy rights. Their main concern is with the arrest of people living and working illegally in Canada, although this association has also taken issue with the way visitors are videotaped when most vulnerable.
What Travellers Should Know
- CBSA officers are authorized to conduct searches of individuals entering Canada, including their baggage, parcels or devices such as laptops or cellphones. These searches may be conducted without a warrant.
- Officers may examine devices for photos, files, contacts and other media, in much the same way customs officials have broad powers to open, inspect and seize mailed packages being delivered into Canada.
