New CBSA data shows asylum seekers down in Alberta; Travellers down, tax revenues up nationwide

By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on December 17, 2025.

newsdesk@medicinehatnews.com

The Canadian Border Services Agency released its data for Jan. 1 to 0ct. 31 2025, painting a picture of this year’s changing trends in border security.

More than 4.1 million travellers were welcomed to Alberta in the first three quarters of 2025.

Notably, by Nov. 30, CBSA processed 471 applications for asylum. By the same date in 2024, the agency had processed 845 asylum applications for Alberta, a reduction of almost 56 per cent.

In addition to facilitating the flow of travellers, CBSA is also Alberta’s first line of defence against illegal weapons and illicit substances entering the province.

Across Alberta’s borders, 1,118 narcotics seizures took place, which seized 293 kilograms of cocaine and 23 kilograms of opioids in the first three quarters of the year.

Seizures of note included a 108-kilogram load of cocaine intercepted by officers on Mar. 8, resulting in charges for a Calgary resident at the Coutts port of entry.

CBSA also executed 159 firearms and prohibited items seizures in Alberta, including 38 firearms, 152 prohibited weapons and 2,430 magazines and miscellaneous parts for firearms.

Six stolen vehicles were also intercepted at Alberta’s border.

Nationwide traveller numbers showed a marked drop-off in 2025.

While 80.5 million travellers were processed by CBSA between Jan. 1 and Oct. 31 in 2024, that number dropped by ten million or 12.5 per cent to 70.4 million in 2025.

Commercial numbers remained reasonably on-par with previous years, with 4.3 million commercial trucks crossing into Canada this year, a slight drop from last year’s 4.5 million.

Tax and duty revenue assessed at Canadian borders experienced a significant jump, from $32.5 billion in 2024 to $39.2 billion this year.

Kevin Brosseau, appointed as Canada’s Fentanyl Czar in February, issued a statement of thanks to CBSA officers on Dec. 9.

“I cannot overstate the importance of the work CBSA officers do each and every day. Their vigilance in intercepting fentanyl and other illicit substances before they reach our communities has had a profound impact on the safety of all Canadians.”

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