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Citing public criticism and a need to focus on “our key priorities,” Canada’s top border enforcement official last fall recommended that his agency end participation in a popular-but-controversial reality/documentary TV series that follows the day-to-day lives of officers, newly released records show.

But Luc Portelance, president of the Canada Border Services Agency, either had a change of heart or was overruled by federal Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney because filming is now underway for a third season of Border Security: Canada’s Front Line, one of the most popular shows on the National Geographic Channel.

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Critics, who have complained that the show is exploitative and tramples on the privacy rights of citizens, said Wednesday the reversal demands explanation.

“If the CBSA itself recommended dropping the show because it was not directly linked to CBSA’s priorities, then which priorities does this reality show serve?” asked Josh Paterson, executive director of the B.C. Civil Liberties Association. “What new information caused the CBSA to change its view? Who ultimately made this call?”

Esme Bailey, a spokeswoman for CBSA, said Wednesday that “after thorough internal discussion, it was subsequently concluded that the benefits of the series warranted continued participation.”