GOODLANDS, MANITOBA--(Marketwired - Aug. 19, 2014) - Canada Border Services Agency

Today, Larry Maguire, Member of Parliament (MP) for Brandon-Souris, on behalf of the Honourable Steven Blaney, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, officially announced the opening of three new facilities at the Goodlands, Coulter and Lyleton ports of entry in southwestern Manitoba. MP Larry Maguire and CBSA Vice President Comptrollership, Claude Rochette, marked the opening of these modern facilities at the Goodlands port of entry.

The Government of Canada invested $16.5 million ($5.5 million each) into these three new port facilities. The facilities, each measuring over 300 metres square, represent significant upgrades over the previous structures including the addition of bi-level primary inspection line booths, tertiary garages, and safe and secure detention cells and arming rooms.

These new state-of-the-art facilities offer significantly enhanced operational capacity and are reflective of a modern law enforcement agency.

Quick Facts

• The new tertiary garages at these three ports of entry are fully enclosed, enabling officers to conduct extensive examinations safely, while protecting travellers from the outdoor elements.
  
  
• Last year, more than 17,000 vehicles and nearly 40,000 travellers entered Canada through the Goodlands port of entry (POE); Coulter POE saw 13,000 vehicles and over 20,000 travellers; and Lyleton POE processed over 13,000 vehicles and nearly 28,000 travellers.
  
  
• The CBSA in Prairie Region operates at 62 locations, including 6 international airports, 14 small airports, 34 land border crossings, 2 marine ports, and 5 Inland Enforcement offices. The region's 34 land border ports of entry are located along 1,427 km.
  
  
• Since 2000, over $300M has been invested to modernize and improve the infrastructure at ports of entry across Canada.
  
  

Quotes

"Keeping Canadians safe and creating stable, well-paying jobs for Canadians continue to be top priorities for our Government. Improving important infrastructure, such as the Goodlands port of entry, will help foster our country's economic growth and prosperity by ensuring the legitimate flow of goods and people across our shared border with the United States is managed efficiently. The CBSA is also an important protector of Canada and communities in the southwestern Manitoba region against threats such as organized crime, foreign criminals, and drugs."

- Larry Maguire, MP, Brandon-Souris

"These new facilities demonstrate the Agency's commitment to provide safe and secure facilities for our border services officers and surrounding communities. The CBSA continues to modernize and upgrade its port infrastructure to meet the current operational requirements for officers to perform their duties to protect Canada and facilitate trade."

- Luc Portelance, CBSA President

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