GENERAL CBSA APPLICANT CHIT CHAT

[M92]

Agreed, the fact that you applied almost 5 years ago and are still waiting is insane.

I’m starting to worry about this type of thing happening to me. I’m about 2.5 years since my application and my French reading and writing tests just expired. I’m at the stage I never wanted to be at, repeating steps. I know it could be worse, I’ve seen people in here repeating steps 3 times. Fingers crossed that I’m in one of the next cohorts as I already received one confirmation of interest email for August but obviously nothing came of it.

Why do they make you re-write the French test? Like are do they expect you just to forget French after two years? Lol. Also, I’m one of the pre-pandemic applicants and sometimes I feel like they just want to get rid of us and move forward with the newer applicants lol

SLE is only valid for a set period, they don’t want to get rid of anyone in the process. It’s insanely costly, the process is just old and outdated with a lot of errors, hence why us pre-pandemic folks fall through the cracks. If you haven’t done so already and also don’t care where you work, make sure you reapply to any and ALL BSO postings when they come up. If you only applied in 2018/2019 and never reapplied that’s why newer applicant timelines tend to move faster. I don’t want to work in Windsor so I never applied to the Gordie Howe posting but that’s an expedited process because the CBSA needs bodies but particularly there because it’s already understaffed and the new bridge will need staff. If you applied to that your timeline would/should have started moving again. Also make sure you’re emailing the recruitment team every so often. CBSA is GoC and all GoC hiring processes are the same, actually tbh CBSA’s apart from being long is far easier to get than any other role in the GoC. What does this mean though? It means you can remind the recruitment team you are still interested and get status updates. Don’t do it weekly, but every month or two you should be sending an email to inquire about your file/the process.

Also, just a heads up to anyone, if you get placed at a non-LDP PoE, there’s a strong chance you stay there forever unless you’re making a move to a new role, not just requesting a new PoE. Even though you can apply for a transfer it’s very easy to block it due to staffing. So for example say you want to move back to your hometown of Vancouver but they give you Windsor, since Windsor is a busy crossing they can always justify blocking a move back because they don’t have the staffing to transfer you. The same goes for any opportunities to get an assignment outside of the BSO/FB role and class. That’s going to mean absolutely nothing to most of you but if you have GoC experience you’ll understand that, if not you’ll learn.

Sorry for the essay but these are just some nuggets I’ve picked up along the way now that I work elsewhere in the GoC. I thought they may be useful to any and all on here.

[BSOJOE]

I’m starting to worry about this type of thing happening to me. I’m about 2.5 years since my application and my French reading and writing tests just expired. I’m at the stage I never wanted to be at, repeating steps. I know it could be worse, I’ve seen people in here repeating steps 3 times. Fingers crossed that I’m in one of the next cohorts as I already received one confirmation of interest email for August but obviously nothing came of it.

Why do they make you re-write the French test? Like are do they expect you just to forget French after two years? Lol. Also, I’m one of the pre-pandemic applicants and sometimes I feel like they just want to get rid of us and move forward with the newer applicants lol

SLE is only valid for a set period, they don’t want to get rid of anyone in the process. It’s insanely costly, the process is just old and outdated with a lot of errors, hence why us pre-pandemic folks fall through the cracks. If you haven’t done so already and also don’t care where you work, make sure you reapply to any and ALL BSO postings when they come up. If you only applied in 2018/2019 and never reapplied that’s why newer applicant timelines tend to move faster. I don’t want to work in Windsor so I never applied to the Gordie Howe posting but that’s an expedited process because the CBSA needs bodies but particularly there because it’s already understaffed and the new bridge will need staff. If you applied to that your timeline would/should have started moving again. Also make sure you’re emailing the recruitment team every so often. CBSA is GoC and all GoC hiring processes are the same, actually tbh CBSA’s apart from being long is far easier to get than any other role in the GoC. What does this mean though? It means you can remind the recruitment team you are still interested and get status updates. Don’t do it weekly, but every month or two you should be sending an email to inquire about your file/the process.

Also, just a heads up to anyone, if you get placed at a non-LDP PoE, there’s a strong chance you stay there forever unless you’re making a move to a new role, not just requesting a new PoE. Even though you can apply for a transfer it’s very easy to block it due to staffing. So for example say you want to move back to your hometown of Vancouver but they give you Windsor, since Windsor is a busy crossing they can always justify blocking a move back because they don’t have the staffing to transfer you. The same goes for any opportunities to get an assignment outside of the BSO/FB role and class. That’s going to mean absolutely nothing to most of you but if you have GoC experience you’ll understand that, if not you’ll learn.

Sorry for the essay but these are just some nuggets I’ve picked up along the way now that I work elsewhere in the GoC. I thought they may be useful to any and all on here.

When I heard about the Windsor intake, they were looking for people who are a member of one or more equity seeking groups, AND live within a certain km distance of Windsor. I don’t think they were taking people from further out for that specific intake.

Very true about the transfers! You can ask for whatever you want but operational need trumps all. I’ve been told that big airports are a great place to work, but next to impossible to leave.

[M92]

Why do they make you re-write the French test? Like are do they expect you just to forget French after two years? Lol. Also, I’m one of the pre-pandemic applicants and sometimes I feel like they just want to get rid of us and move forward with the newer applicants lol

SLE is only valid for a set period, they don’t want to get rid of anyone in the process. It’s insanely costly, the process is just old and outdated with a lot of errors, hence why us pre-pandemic folks fall through the cracks. If you haven’t done so already and also don’t care where you work, make sure you reapply to any and ALL BSO postings when they come up. If you only applied in 2018/2019 and never reapplied that’s why newer applicant timelines tend to move faster. I don’t want to work in Windsor so I never applied to the Gordie Howe posting but that’s an expedited process because the CBSA needs bodies but particularly there because it’s already understaffed and the new bridge will need staff. If you applied to that your timeline would/should have started moving again. Also make sure you’re emailing the recruitment team every so often. CBSA is GoC and all GoC hiring processes are the same, actually tbh CBSA’s apart from being long is far easier to get than any other role in the GoC. What does this mean though? It means you can remind the recruitment team you are still interested and get status updates. Don’t do it weekly, but every month or two you should be sending an email to inquire about your file/the process.

Also, just a heads up to anyone, if you get placed at a non-LDP PoE, there’s a strong chance you stay there forever unless you’re making a move to a new role, not just requesting a new PoE. Even though you can apply for a transfer it’s very easy to block it due to staffing. So for example say you want to move back to your hometown of Vancouver but they give you Windsor, since Windsor is a busy crossing they can always justify blocking a move back because they don’t have the staffing to transfer you. The same goes for any opportunities to get an assignment outside of the BSO/FB role and class. That’s going to mean absolutely nothing to most of you but if you have GoC experience you’ll understand that, if not you’ll learn.

Sorry for the essay but these are just some nuggets I’ve picked up along the way now that I work elsewhere in the GoC. I thought they may be useful to any and all on here.

When I heard about the Windsor intake, they were looking for people who are a member of one or more equity seeking groups, AND live within a certain km distance of Windsor. I don’t think they were taking people from further out for that specific intake.

Very true about the transfers! You can ask for whatever you want but operational need trumps all. I’ve been told that big airports are a great place to work, but next to impossible to leave.

Yep you’re correct but my best advice for anyone is even when there is a condition of employment for location, apply if you fit the other criteria. You’ll learn this once you’re in the government, the same goes for applying for positions you may not be qualified for in terms of criteria, still apply. It’s HR’s job to sift through candidates.

Yeah, airports and major land crossings as well, especially the Ontario ones, they’re always short staffed from what I’ve heard. All parts are but they’re really struggling last time I spoke to someone about it

[BSOJOE]

SLE is only valid for a set period, they don’t want to get rid of anyone in the process. It’s insanely costly, the process is just old and outdated with a lot of errors, hence why us pre-pandemic folks fall through the cracks. If you haven’t done so already and also don’t care where you work, make sure you reapply to any and ALL BSO postings when they come up. If you only applied in 2018/2019 and never reapplied that’s why newer applicant timelines tend to move faster. I don’t want to work in Windsor so I never applied to the Gordie Howe posting but that’s an expedited process because the CBSA needs bodies but particularly there because it’s already understaffed and the new bridge will need staff. If you applied to that your timeline would/should have started moving again. Also make sure you’re emailing the recruitment team every so often. CBSA is GoC and all GoC hiring processes are the same, actually tbh CBSA’s apart from being long is far easier to get than any other role in the GoC. What does this mean though? It means you can remind the recruitment team you are still interested and get status updates. Don’t do it weekly, but every month or two you should be sending an email to inquire about your file/the process.

Also, just a heads up to anyone, if you get placed at a non-LDP PoE, there’s a strong chance you stay there forever unless you’re making a move to a new role, not just requesting a new PoE. Even though you can apply for a transfer it’s very easy to block it due to staffing. So for example say you want to move back to your hometown of Vancouver but they give you Windsor, since Windsor is a busy crossing they can always justify blocking a move back because they don’t have the staffing to transfer you. The same goes for any opportunities to get an assignment outside of the BSO/FB role and class. That’s going to mean absolutely nothing to most of you but if you have GoC experience you’ll understand that, if not you’ll learn.

Sorry for the essay but these are just some nuggets I’ve picked up along the way now that I work elsewhere in the GoC. I thought they may be useful to any and all on here.

When I heard about the Windsor intake, they were looking for people who are a member of one or more equity seeking groups, AND live within a certain km distance of Windsor. I don’t think they were taking people from further out for that specific intake.

Very true about the transfers! You can ask for whatever you want but operational need trumps all. I’ve been told that big airports are a great place to work, but next to impossible to leave.

Yep you’re correct but my best advice for anyone is even when there is a condition of employment for location, apply if you fit the other criteria. You’ll learn this once you’re in the government, the same goes for applying for positions you may not be qualified for in terms of criteria, still apply. It’s HR’s job to sift through candidates.

Yeah, airports and major land crossings as well, especially the Ontario ones, they’re always short staffed from what I’ve heard. All parts are but they’re really struggling last time I spoke to someone about it

Simultaneously short staffed and backlogged recruitment, a real sh*t storm. Not sure how this one ever gets solved but eventually changes will have to be made to this hiring process. We’re crawling through this process so one day other candidates can walk through it.

[Mikezel381]

For those who received the October invites, or previous
recruits, do you know if there is a break during Christmas holidays when attending rigaud?

[BSOJOE]

For those who received the October invites, or previous
recruits, do you know if there is a break during Christmas holidays when attending rigaud?

There is a “short break”, your guess is as good as mine as to what that means.

[Heyhey123]

Let’s just hope that it moves fast for everyone now. When do you anticipate the next intake to be?

I would guess the next intake would be February or March. The upcoming class ends in February.

I see that your OITP is on October. Congratulations on that!!
I guess they still have 2 more intakes before March 2024. Let’s see when they plan those.

Good luck on your training!

Thank you!

I start my online tomorrow and go to the college for November 1st

[Heyhey123]

For those who received the October invites, or previous
recruits, do you know if there is a break during Christmas holidays when attending rigaud?

There is a “short break”, your guess is as good as mine as to what that means.

In the email it give a start and end date for 16 weeks but classes are only 14 weeks I thought.

So I’m thinking a 2 week break at christmas perhaps

[JoeDoe]

Anyone recently complete the medical step of the application? If so, how long did it take from returning the CATIII forms to having an assessment date and did you receive confirmation that recruiting received your forms?
I returned the forms back in early September but did not receive confirmation that my forms had been received. I sent an inquire to confirm the forms had been received about two weeks ago but have yet to hear back.

[BSOJOE]

For those who received the October invites, or previous
recruits, do you know if there is a break during Christmas holidays when attending rigaud?

There is a “short break”, your guess is as good as mine as to what that means.

In the email it give a start and end date for 16 weeks but classes are only 14 weeks I thought.

So I’m thinking a 2 week break at christmas perhaps

Mine is 18 weeks, xmas plus one other surprise. Not sure what I’m allowed to say but yeah, 18 weeks here.

[Nav23]

I would guess the next intake would be February or March. The upcoming class ends in February.

I see that your OITP is on October. Congratulations on that!!
I guess they still have 2 more intakes before March 2024. Let’s see when they plan those.

Good luck on your training!

Thank you!

I start my online tomorrow and go to the college for November 1st

Good luck on your training! Well deserved!

[Nav23]

Hello everyone,

Can anyone please tell me if the integrity interview is a phone call, in person or through teams or zoom?

[TheBoss88]

I’m starting to worry about this type of thing happening to me. I’m about 2.5 years since my application and my French reading and writing tests just expired. I’m at the stage I never wanted to be at, repeating steps. I know it could be worse, I’ve seen people in here repeating steps 3 times. Fingers crossed that I’m in one of the next cohorts as I already received one confirmation of interest email for August but obviously nothing came of it.

Why do they make you re-write the French test? Like are do they expect you just to forget French after two years? Lol. Also, I’m one of the pre-pandemic applicants and sometimes I feel like they just want to get rid of us and move forward with the newer applicants lol

SLE is only valid for a set period, they don’t want to get rid of anyone in the process. It’s insanely costly, the process is just old and outdated with a lot of errors, hence why us pre-pandemic folks fall through the cracks. If you haven’t done so already and also don’t care where you work, make sure you reapply to any and ALL BSO postings when they come up. If you only applied in 2018/2019 and never reapplied that’s why newer applicant timelines tend to move faster. I don’t want to work in Windsor so I never applied to the Gordie Howe posting but that’s an expedited process because the CBSA needs bodies but particularly there because it’s already understaffed and the new bridge will need staff. If you applied to that your timeline would/should have started moving again. Also make sure you’re emailing the recruitment team every so often. CBSA is GoC and all GoC hiring processes are the same, actually tbh CBSA’s apart from being long is far easier to get than any other role in the GoC. What does this mean though? It means you can remind the recruitment team you are still interested and get status updates. Don’t do it weekly, but every month or two you should be sending an email to inquire about your file/the process.

Also, just a heads up to anyone, if you get placed at a non-LDP PoE, there’s a strong chance you stay there forever unless you’re making a move to a new role, not just requesting a new PoE. Even though you can apply for a transfer it’s very easy to block it due to staffing. So for example say you want to move back to your hometown of Vancouver but they give you Windsor, since Windsor is a busy crossing they can always justify blocking a move back because they don’t have the staffing to transfer you. The same goes for any opportunities to get an assignment outside of the BSO/FB role and class. That’s going to mean absolutely nothing to most of you but if you have GoC experience you’ll understand that, if not you’ll learn.

Sorry for the essay but these are just some nuggets I’ve picked up along the way now that I work elsewhere in the GoC. I thought they may be useful to any and all on here.

Wow are you serious?? I didn’t even know that you could or even should re-apply to all new postings. That’s just ridiculous! What’s the point of applying for the same position over n over when you’re already in the process? That’s just crazy to me.

I also know of two people who applied in July 2022 and are already in Rigaud getting trained and both of them got Vancouver for PoE, they didn’t even apply for the Windsor one. I had completed all the steps, except security clearance, when they applied and yet here I am still waiting while they’ve zoomed past me. I was eligible to apply for my security clearance in June 2022, yet they didn’t send me the application until Nov 2022.

I’m coming up on almost 5 years since I applied, whole thing is a joke. In all honesty, at this point, I don’t even care. My psych is expiring in 2 months, and I don’t even know if I’d do it again. If it’s meant to be then great, if not, then so be it.

[M92]

Why do they make you re-write the French test? Like are do they expect you just to forget French after two years? Lol. Also, I’m one of the pre-pandemic applicants and sometimes I feel like they just want to get rid of us and move forward with the newer applicants lol

SLE is only valid for a set period, they don’t want to get rid of anyone in the process. It’s insanely costly, the process is just old and outdated with a lot of errors, hence why us pre-pandemic folks fall through the cracks. If you haven’t done so already and also don’t care where you work, make sure you reapply to any and ALL BSO postings when they come up. If you only applied in 2018/2019 and never reapplied that’s why newer applicant timelines tend to move faster. I don’t want to work in Windsor so I never applied to the Gordie Howe posting but that’s an expedited process because the CBSA needs bodies but particularly there because it’s already understaffed and the new bridge will need staff. If you applied to that your timeline would/should have started moving again. Also make sure you’re emailing the recruitment team every so often. CBSA is GoC and all GoC hiring processes are the same, actually tbh CBSA’s apart from being long is far easier to get than any other role in the GoC. What does this mean though? It means you can remind the recruitment team you are still interested and get status updates. Don’t do it weekly, but every month or two you should be sending an email to inquire about your file/the process.

Also, just a heads up to anyone, if you get placed at a non-LDP PoE, there’s a strong chance you stay there forever unless you’re making a move to a new role, not just requesting a new PoE. Even though you can apply for a transfer it’s very easy to block it due to staffing. So for example say you want to move back to your hometown of Vancouver but they give you Windsor, since Windsor is a busy crossing they can always justify blocking a move back because they don’t have the staffing to transfer you. The same goes for any opportunities to get an assignment outside of the BSO/FB role and class. That’s going to mean absolutely nothing to most of you but if you have GoC experience you’ll understand that, if not you’ll learn.

Sorry for the essay but these are just some nuggets I’ve picked up along the way now that I work elsewhere in the GoC. I thought they may be useful to any and all on here.

Wow are you serious?? I didn’t even know that you could or even should re-apply to all new postings. That’s just ridiculous! What’s the point of applying for the same position over n over when you’re already in the process? That’s just crazy to me.

I also know of two people who applied in July 2022 and are already in Rigaud getting trained and both of them got Vancouver for PoE, they didn’t even apply for the Windsor one. I had completed all the steps, except security clearance, when they applied and yet here I am still waiting while they’ve zoomed past me. I was eligible to apply for my security clearance in June 2022, yet they didn’t send me the application until Nov I’m coming up on almost 5 years since I applied, whole thing is a joke. In all honesty, at this point, I don’t even care. My psych is expiring in 2 months, and I don’t even know if I’d do it again. If it’s meant to be then great, if not, then so be it.

I don’t want to say too much, but welcome to the government. This isn’t anything new and if you plan to take a job with the CBSA, a notoriously abysmal department per employees own self reporting on yearly surveys, I would just say get used to it. Security clearances can take time for a number of reasons and there’s a massive backlog. I waited 2 years to get my clearance started.

I don’t mean that “get used to it” part rudely, but at the end of the day BSO’s are nowhere near what other law enforcement agencies are, they’re a client service role that supports and supplements immigration and just so happens to have peace officer status, not the other way around. Personally, as someone with no desire to do policing, that works well for me, because it’s a law enforcement role, but it’s nowhere near typical. This is also evident by the fact BSO’s have far more flexibility and opportunity to move around within the CBSA as they do outside of it. Compare this to police constables who are only allowed to remain within the RCMP because their skills aren’t really transferable. At the end of the day BSO’s are public servant and program officers, more aligned with other program admin positions as opposed to policing. As such, you’ll see a lot of headaches in the future if you decide to stick it through.

[BSOJOE]

SLE is only valid for a set period, they don’t want to get rid of anyone in the process. It’s insanely costly, the process is just old and outdated with a lot of errors, hence why us pre-pandemic folks fall through the cracks. If you haven’t done so already and also don’t care where you work, make sure you reapply to any and ALL BSO postings when they come up. If you only applied in 2018/2019 and never reapplied that’s why newer applicant timelines tend to move faster. I don’t want to work in Windsor so I never applied to the Gordie Howe posting but that’s an expedited process because the CBSA needs bodies but particularly there because it’s already understaffed and the new bridge will need staff. If you applied to that your timeline would/should have started moving again. Also make sure you’re emailing the recruitment team every so often. CBSA is GoC and all GoC hiring processes are the same, actually tbh CBSA’s apart from being long is far easier to get than any other role in the GoC. What does this mean though? It means you can remind the recruitment team you are still interested and get status updates. Don’t do it weekly, but every month or two you should be sending an email to inquire about your file/the process.

Also, just a heads up to anyone, if you get placed at a non-LDP PoE, there’s a strong chance you stay there forever unless you’re making a move to a new role, not just requesting a new PoE. Even though you can apply for a transfer it’s very easy to block it due to staffing. So for example say you want to move back to your hometown of Vancouver but they give you Windsor, since Windsor is a busy crossing they can always justify blocking a move back because they don’t have the staffing to transfer you. The same goes for any opportunities to get an assignment outside of the BSO/FB role and class. That’s going to mean absolutely nothing to most of you but if you have GoC experience you’ll understand that, if not you’ll learn.

Sorry for the essay but these are just some nuggets I’ve picked up along the way now that I work elsewhere in the GoC. I thought they may be useful to any and all on here.

Wow are you serious?? I didn’t even know that you could or even should re-apply to all new postings. That’s just ridiculous! What’s the point of applying for the same position over n over when you’re already in the process? That’s just crazy to me.

I also know of two people who applied in July 2022 and are already in Rigaud getting trained and both of them got Vancouver for PoE, they didn’t even apply for the Windsor one. I had completed all the steps, except security clearance, when they applied and yet here I am still waiting while they’ve zoomed past me. I was eligible to apply for my security clearance in June 2022, yet they didn’t send me the application until Nov I’m coming up on almost 5 years since I applied, whole thing is a joke. In all honesty, at this point, I don’t even care. My psych is expiring in 2 months, and I don’t even know if I’d do it again. If it’s meant to be then great, if not, then so be it.

I don’t want to say too much, but welcome to the government. This isn’t anything new and if you plan to take a job with the CBSA, a notoriously abysmal department per employees own self reporting on yearly surveys, I would just say get used to it. Security clearances can take time for a number of reasons and there’s a massive backlog. I waited 2 years to get my clearance started.

I don’t mean that “get used to it” part rudely, but at the end of the day BSO’s are nowhere near what other law enforcement agencies are, they’re a client service role that supports and supplements immigration and just so happens to have peace officer status, not the other way around. Personally, as someone with no desire to do policing, that works well for me, because it’s a law enforcement role, but it’s nowhere near typical. This is also evident by the fact BSO’s have far more flexibility and opportunity to move around within the CBSA as they do outside of it. Compare this to police constables who are only allowed to remain within the RCMP because their skills aren’t really transferable. At the end of the day BSO’s are public servant and program officers, more aligned with other program admin positions as opposed to policing. As such, you’ll see a lot of headaches in the future if you decide to stick it through.

I work at a huge telecom company, we have our fair share of frustrating bullshit to deal with there. The grass is always greener and there’s no perfect situations. Know what you’re getting into but also don’t let perfection be the enemy of the good. If you have perfection where you are then stay put, if not, get ready for new problems when you switch to government. Hopefully we’re all happy enough with where we end up. Right now I’m ecstatic to be heading into this new chapter but also fully aware that it’s going to have its own challenges.