Originally Posted by
TravellingChris
CBSA is similar to the U.S. CBP in that these are both frontline agencies that enforce rules on behalf of other departments. (For example, border officers apply rules set by federal agriculture departments when determining admissibility of food and plant products.) They are merely the first point of contact for a traveler.
You are correct in stating that no federal officer can stop a Canadian from entering Canada--even during the pandemic, the border could not be fully closed as Canadian citizens have a constitutional right to enter and leave--the key is in satisfying the officer of one's citizenship. A Canadian passport accomplishes this. In my experience once I have presented the passport and the CBSA officer has scanned it and visually verified that I am the bearer, the conversation moves to customs topics. My eligibility to enter the country is no longer in question, so now I am asked about how long I was away, how much I am bringing back, etc.
As I noted in my earlier post I always sail through the CBSA spot checks on the jetway because they are immigration-only. By presenting my passport I show my entitlement to enter the country and am quickly on my way, The more in-depth interview for customs purposes comes downstairs in the arrival hall.
The way it was explained to me is that the CBSA officers wear around 90 different hats. Each hat represents another department of the government. The first officer you meet at the window asks general questions to get an idea of who you are (immigration) and why are you at the window (customs and immigration). For example, you are a Canadian that travelled to the USA to go camping with the family for 2 weeks. Their thought would be: They are Canadian so they come in without question. Check to make sure the names on passports all match and maybe ask the kids a question or 2. They went camping, so they probably have alcohol. Gone 2 weeks they each get a 40 oz of hard stuff. The kids might be bringing back some stuff from the camp that can’t come in. They might have firewood that can’t come in. Maybe they picked up an animal like a turtle. What about fishing?
And their next questions would be based on those thoughts which are addressing all of these “hats” they wear.