A federal labour board has upheld the dismissal of a Canada Border Services Agency officer who worked off the books as a bodyguard for an American musician arriving at Montréal’s Trudeau International Airport.The Public Sector Labour Relations Board ruled that André Rossin-Arthiat was rightfully terminated for breaching conflict-of-interest rules when he used his position to assist a VIP client while off duty in 2018. Evidence showed he flashed his CBSA badge to help escort the celebrity through airport procedures.“The lines between his public service role and outside employment became blurred,” the board found. “He understood his duty but chose not to comply with it.”.Adjudicator Amélie Lavictoire wrote that public servants have an obligation to disclose any outside work that might pose a real or perceived conflict. “It is not up to the employee to decide unilaterally whether their outside employment or activities place them in a real, potential or perceived conflict,” she said. “Integrity and the duty to prevent and avoid conflicts are intertwined.”Though the board did not name the celebrity, records point to American rapper Travis Scott, who arrived by private jet on August 3, 2018, for a scheduled performance at the Osheaga Music and Arts Festival. The board noted the artist was delayed at the airport, with customs officers spending “roughly 90 minutes” searching baggage..“Passengers arriving by private aircraft at a private terminal are not exempt from the immigration and customs process,” the ruling said, adding that Border Services officers typically board the aircraft to complete processing before passengers disembark.The case comes amid broader scrutiny over federal employees working second jobs. In 2024 hearings of the Commons public accounts committee, MPs were told moonlighting is common in the public service.“Everybody has their day to day work and maybe they have a little side gig at night doing something else,” said David Yeo, a former Department of National Defence employee turned CEO of Dalian Enterprises, a federal contractor.When asked if this was widespread, Yeo replied, “Fairly common, yes.”
