Local

Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Airport sniffer dog among budget cuts

Union says team vital for finding drugs

By: Aldo Santin

Posted: 06/9/2012 1:00 AM | Comments: 0

A handler spends time with Max, a sniffer dog whose job at the Winnipeg airport is being eliminated. (JOE BRYKSA / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS) Photo Store

Max the drug-sniffing dog is getting laid off, a victim of the Harper government's budget slashing.

The 21/2-year-old golden retriever has been sniffing out illegal drugs and guns at the Richardson International Airport since October, but his days are numbered -- part of the federal government's three-year deficit-reduction plan.

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) confirmed the lone detector dog service (DDS) team that patrols the airport in Winnipeg will be eliminated as a cost-saving move.

That move has upset the union that represents the sniffer-dog handlers.

Jeff Lovegrove, president of the Manitoba branch of the Customs and Immigration Union, said sniffer-dog teams play a vital role in the detection of illegal drugs and Winnipeg's airport needs one.

"If you were planning to smuggle drugs into Canada, would you feel confident coming through Winnipeg if you knew there wouldn't be a drug-sniffing dog there? I know you would be," Lovegrove said.

"The detector dog service is a huge deterrent."

Lovegrove said Ottawa initially planned to eliminate 19 sniffer-dog teams across the country before rolling that number back to 14 -- but the team at the Richardson International Airport remains on the chopping block.

The CBSA maintains another sniffer-dog team out of the Manitoba-North Dakota border crossing at Emerson.

Lovegrove said Max's handler will be reassigned to another position within the CBSA and Max will either be retired or transferred to another government department, such as the RCMP.

"Having the DDS at the Winnipeg airport is an important deterrent and we, as a union, don't want to lose it," Lovegrove said.

Max is used to sniff for drugs and guns among passengers at the airport and in the cargo facility, Lovegrove said.

CBSA spokesman Luc Nadon would not give a date for Max's final day on the job, but said the move will not compromise security at the airport.

"There will be little to no impact on front-line services for travellers and traders who are crossing our borders," Nadon said in an email to the Free Press. "As (deficit-fighting) changes are introduced, service excellence will continue to be a (CBSA) priority."

Nadon said the sniffer dogs haven't been as effective in drug detection as other methods, adding they are being replaced in certain locations where alternative methods can do a better job.

"The intent of the savings measure is to eliminate detector dog service teams particularly where there are other options in place that have proven to be more effective," Nadon said.

aldo.santin@freepress.mb.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition June 9, 2012 A8

Factual inaccuracy? Something missing? Help improve our journalism.

Know about news? Share your story suggestions, photos and video.

Spelling error? Punctuation problem? Send us an email if you’ve found a typo.

More Local

Undock

You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.

Have Your Say

New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.

The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.