CBSA Government Uniforms Spotted In Vancouver Dumpster | HuffPost

This HuffPost Canada page is maintained as part of an online archive.

Border Agency Uniforms Found In Vancouver Dumpster

The Huffington Post B.C.

|

The Canada Border Services Agency is investigating how a box of government uniforms got left in a dumpster, after they were discovered by a Vancouver blogger.

Stanley Q. Woodbine, a writer and graphic designer who is homeless, wrote about finding the navy blue shirts branded with CBSA patches behind an apartment building:

"Nice shirts — button-down collars, heavy-weight fabric — each with two large gusseted pockets. I think all of them had been worn, but they were all in great condition, so far as I could tell — and clean."

Uniforms and badges are issued to CBSA officers to use exclusively in their official duties, the agency said in a statement to Global News. Uniforms can be discarded only after all agency identification is removed, according to CBSA policy.

It's a crime to impersonate a peace officer.

“Uniforms with CBSA identification remain the property of the Government of Canada,” the CBSA told CTV News.

Border security expert Josh Labove told CTV the case is potentially embarrassing to the 11-year-old agency.

The CBSA contacted Woodvine, who wrote a follow-up blog: "Having it known the shirts ended up in public garbage where anyone could, and may have, grabbed them has the potential to erode the trust we have in all uniforms."

A CBSA spokesman said that the uniforms, which had no serial numbers, have not been recovered.

Like this article? Follow our Facebook page
Or follow us on Twitter
Follow @HuffPostBC

ALSO ON HUFFPOST:

The Top 10 Worst Work Uniforms

1. Swiss Guards(01 of31)

They may be responsible for protecting the Pope, but they look like the court jesters. Having been recruited in the 16th century for financial incentive, the corps in the Vatican City remains the only surviving foreign Swiss Guard in Europe. And their blue, red and yellow outfits reflects the fashion vanguard of the Renaissance. (credit:AFP / Getty Images)

2. Hooters Waitresses(02 of31)

It's not just the Buffalo wings that are hot. With the trademark "Hootie the Owl" mascot emblazoned across their white tank tops, Hooters girls have been serving up beer and other bar snacks for nearly 30 years. But it's not the barbecue that makes them come back for more. The revealing uniform policy has been the subject of numerous lawsuits, with commentators often noting the damage done to the women's movement. (credit:Frederic J. Brown, AFP / Getty Images)

3. Food Mascots(03 of31)

"Eat Me," a man wearing a sandwich suit says to Miranda Hobbes in an episode of "Sex and the City." Hobbes, a lawyer, gets up in arms about the on-the-street encounter, and even ponders legal action. And then she realizes he was just selling -- and wearing -- his product. (credit:Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images)

5. Mormon Missionaries(04 of31)

Becoming a Mormon is serious business. Joining the Church of Latter Day Saints means embracing a life apart -- no caffeine, curses or alcohol. And that's just the start. But as the missionaries spread throughout the world to pitch their gospel, is it really in keeping with the solemnity of their faith to look as if they are selling encyclopedias, nametags and all? (credit:Andrew H. Walker, Getty Images)

6. Postal Workers(05 of31)

"Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds," reads the inscription on the General Post Office in New York City. And while there's a postal uniform that's fit for every kind of weather, it's always in an industrial drab blue and grey. (credit:Getty Images)

7. MLB Managers(06 of31)

Professional sports coaches are usually a generation older than the athletes, and so are allowed to dress accordingly. Except baseball. America's pastime asks its managers to don the same garb as the 22-year-old shortstop in the prime of his life. And the results can make for some humorous visual images. Middle aged men who sit around worrying about lineups and pitcher rotations aren't meant to wear tights.

(from left) Philadelphia Phillies Manager Charlie Manuel, Texas Rangers Manager Ron Washington, Milwaukee Brewers Manager Ron Roenicke (credit:Getty Images)

8. Fast Food Workers(07 of31)

"Flair" is what Joanna, a character played by Jennifer Aniston, is instructed to add to her outfit at Chotchkie's, a fictional fast food joint in the cult '90s movie, "Office Space." She doesn't take to the mandated enthusiasm kindly, and flips off her boss as she quits. She wasn't really interested in personifying her fast food chain in her clothing. She just wanted a job. (credit:Getty Images)

9. Referees(08 of31)

Sports are supposed to be about fun, and referees are paid to get in the way. Of course, at the professional level, their duty is paramount in defending fairness on the court, while also protecting the players' safety. Nevertheless, their black and white stripes are the embodiment of buzzkill, and the nickname zebra was never doled out in a tone of gratitude. (credit:AP Photo/Wade Payne, File)

10. Doormen(09 of31)

It's often the elites who live in doorman-operated buildings, and so it might come as no surprise that they don't want to come home from the office to be greeted by some guy in a t-shirt. It's true that their duties often require them to spend their days both inside and outside, and so it was a wise choice to include long coats in the outfit. But perhaps the modern doorman outfit is an exercise in excessive formality. When stacked up against the business outfits worn by many of the residents in such buildings, the latter look like the summer's finest. (credit:Getty Images)

Air France(10 of31)

The designer behind the French uniforms is none other than Christian Lacroix. (credit:JEAN-PIERRE MULLER/AFP/Getty Images)

Air France(11 of31)

Designer Christian Lacroix, left, and Air France CEO Jean-Cyril Spinetta, second from right, joke after the presentation of Lacroix-designed Air France uniforms in Paris April 1, 2005. (credit:Patrick Durand/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Air France(12 of31)

Models pose wearing all Air France uniforms since 1950 during a presentation of the latest version, designed by Christian Lacroix, in Paris, France, April 1, 2005. (credit:Patrick Durand/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Singapore Airlines(13 of31)

The timeless outfits were designed by Pierre Balmain in the '70s. (credit:ERIC PIERMONT/AFP/Getty Images)

Korean Air(14 of31)

Gianfranco Ferré designed these stylish uniforms. (credit:JUNG YEON-JE/AFP/Getty Images)

Virgin America(15 of31)

Banana Republic designed the uniforms for Virgin America. (credit:Virgin America)

Virgin America(16 of31)

Banana Republic designed the uniforms for Virgin America. (credit:Virgin America)

Virgin America(17 of31)

Banana Republic designed the uniforms for Virgin America. (credit:Virgin America)

Virgin America(18 of31)

Banana Republic designed the uniforms for Virgin America. (credit:Virgin America)

Virgin America(19 of31)

Banana Republic designed the uniforms for Virgin America. (credit:Virgin America)

Virgin America(20 of31)

Banana Republic designed the uniforms for Virgin America. (credit:Virgin America)

Virgin America(21 of31)

Banana Republic designed the uniforms for Virgin America. (credit:Virgin America)

Virgin America(22 of31)

Banana Republic designed the uniforms for Virgin America. (credit:Virgin America)

Porter Airlines(23 of31)

The retro uniforms were deisnged by Kimberley Newport-Mimran of Pink Tartan. (credit:Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images)

Porter Airlines(24 of31)

(credit:Ron Bull/Toronto Star via Getty Images)

Cathay Pacific Airlines(25 of31)

Hong Kong-designer Eddie Lau updated the airline's uniforms. (credit:Jerome Favre/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Etihad Airways(26 of31)

Italian couture designer Ettore Bilotta is behind the uniforms for the carrier of the United Arab Emirates. (credit:Etihad Airways)

Etihad Airways(27 of31)

Italian couture designer Ettore Bilotta is behind the uniforms for Etihad Airways (left). (credit:Andreas Rentz/Getty Images)

Air Canada Rouge(28 of31)

John Fluevog custom-designed the grey brogues and grey heels for Air Canada Rouge. They retail for about $300. (credit:John Fluevog Shoes)

Air Canada Rouge(29 of31)

(credit:Air Canada)

Air Canada Rouge(30 of31)

(credit:Air Canada)

Air Canada Rouge(31 of31)

(credit:Air Canada)

Related

Border Services Agency British Columbia cbsa cbsa uniforms cbsa uniforms vancouver

Suggest a correction

-- This HuffPost Canada page is maintained as part of an online archive. If you have questions or concerns, please check our FAQ or contact support@huffpost.com.

From Our Partner