The Canada Border Service Agency has closed the book on the five Pakistani men who jumped ship in Port Alberni in July.
The CBSA has also said it will not undertake a review of small port security in light of this incident.
The five men involved in the ship-jumping incident were arrested in Montreal on Aug. 16. They were deemed not to pose a security risk and are awaiting deportation.
Security at small Canadian ports is not in question, even given some of the specifics of this case.
For instance, some have surmised that these particular men acted on a whim, without a plan. Although the port is five minutes from a major highway, an hour from the ferries and another 90 minutes from Vancouver—with easy access to an international airport and border—no review of security at small marine ports is planned, CBSA spokesperson Luc Labelle said.
“Our border services officers act in accordance with all established policies and procedures to ensure that all persons wishing to enter Canada do so in accordance with our laws and regulations,” Labelle said.
When individuals decide to violate the country’s immigration laws, the CBSA works diligently with its partners to locate and remove those individuals, he added.
“Canada will not be a safe haven for persons who attempt to get around proper immigration procedures.”
reporter@albernivalleynews.com