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Status Report on Major Crown/Transformational Projects

eManifest

1. Description

One of the strategies that the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) employs in managing the border is the use of advance information to identify and stop high-risk people and goods before they arrive in Canada. Having successfully implemented the marine and air components of the Advance Commercial Information initiative, the CBSA is now implementing Phase III, which is known as Electronic Manifest, or eManifest.

eManifest is the next critical step required to improve the ability of the CBSA to detect shipments that pose a high or unknown risk to the safety and security of Canadians. The objective of eManifest is to implement electronic processes based on advance electronic cargo information to effectively analyze risk, ensure efficient border procedures and secure the international trade supply chain. Under eManifest, highway and rail carriers, along with freight forwarders and importers in all modes, will transmit advance cargo, conveyance, crew and importer trade data before the arrival of the cargo at the border. eManifest will complement and build upon the risk management strategies currently employed in both the air and marine modes, by enhancing the risk assessment capacity and scoring methodologies for all modes. This initiative focuses on pushing the border out by getting the right information at the right time to protect Canadians from health, safety and security threats related to commercial goods before they arrive in Canada.

eManifest will feature the following:

  • reporting using electronic data interchange,
  • a Web portal,
  • automated risk assessment,
  • an enhanced client notification system,
  • a data warehouse and associated business intelligence tools, and
  • compliance management and management information reporting.

2. Project Phase

eManifest has multiple components in various project phases; some elements have been implemented and others are in the analysis and design and construction and development phases.

3. Leading and Participating Departments and Agencies

Lead Department

Canada Border Services Agency

Contracting Authority

Canada Revenue Agency and Public Works and Government Services Canada

Participating Departments

N/A

4. Prime and Major Subcontractor(s)

Prime Contractor N/A
Major Subcontractor(s) N/A

5. Major Milestones

Major Milestone Date
  • Readiness activities – Information technology prerequisites and deployment of the Synchronous Technology and Application Release configuration

Implemented November 2007

  • Readiness activities Automated in-transit pilot project (Phase I)

Implemented June 2008

  • Rail reporting (Phase I)

Implemented March 2009

  • Highway In-Transit Pilot (Phase II)
  • Customs electronic commerce platform capacity upgrade

Implemented October 2009

  • Highway carrier reporting
  • Client notification
  • Passage (interim enhancements for highway)
  • Infrastructure capacity upgrade (Phase I)

Summer 2010

  • Highway Web portal
  • Infrastructure capacity upgrade (Phase II)

Winter 2011

  • Risk assessment (air)
  • Rail reporting (Phase II)
  • Passage (interim enhancements for rail)
  • Commercial reporting

Spring 2011

  • Highway reporting – Secondary cargo
  • Client notification (broker download)
  • Passage (interim enhancements for freight forwarders)
  • Business intelligence and data warehouse infrastructure (freight forwarders)
  • Commercial reporting

Summer 2011

  • Highway Web portal (freight forwarders)
  • Commercial reporting
  • Infrastructure capacity upgrade (Phase III)

Winter 2011

  • Highway reporting – Importer advance trade data
  • Client notification
  • Highway Web portal (retrofit)
  • Passage (interim enhancements for importer advance trade data)

Spring 2012

  • Highway Web portal (importer advance trade data)
  • Upgrade for marine and air crew reporting
  • Infrastructure capacity upgrade (Phase IV)

Spring 2013

  • Risk assessment – All modes (air, highway, marine and rail)

Winter 2013

  • Highway Web portal (reporting)
  • Passage (final implementation)

Summer 2014

  • Highway Web portal (crew data)
  • Highway crew reporting
  • Risk assessment (marine)
  • Business intelligence and data warehouse infrastructure (crew)

Winter 2014

6. Project Outcomes

eManifest will feature:

  • implementation of prerequisites activities for critical information technology,
  • advance electronic crew, cargo, conveyance and advance trade data information from highway and rail carriers, freight forwarders, importers and customs brokers,
  • a Web portal for clients to facilitate compliance,
  • automated risk assessment in advance of the arrival of goods to Canada's border,
  • streamlined border processing through integration of systems for CBSA officers, and
  • development of a data warehouse and supporting business intelligence software, which will include the centralization and integration of data from various CBSA systems to support intelligent risk assessment of eManifest pre-arrival information through pattern detection and trend analysis.

In addition, some of the products and features listed above will be retrofitted to the air and marine modes.

eManifest will enable:

  • enhanced knowledge and capacity to risk assess pre-arrival data and for trade community compliance,
  • enhanced cooperation with U.S. Customs and Border Protection through harmonized commercial processes,
  • enhanced innovative systems and technology to effectively and efficiently assess data,
  • increased success of detection activities to intercept high-risk goods and travellers,
  • increased compliance by trade community with CBSA legislation,
  • enhanced flow of low-risk people and goods, and
  • improved stakeholder satisfaction.

7. Progress Report and Explanations of Variances


  • eManifest received effective project approval from Treasury Board on November 29, 2007 as a major Crown project with an approved budget of $396 million (net of goods and services tax) over five years.
  • Subsequent to effective project approval, the project completion date was revised to reflect a shift in project funding over two years, as part of the CBSA’s contribution in support of Canada’s Economic Action Plan. The impact of the funding realignment has extended the completion date and necessitated a realignment of project deliverables and implementation time frames.
  • As a result of the extended time frame, eManifest’s funding profile required a reallocation of funds for 2012–14 where there was no Treasury Board funding originally allocated.
  • Agency reference levels still reflect preliminary project approval funding amounts. This has resulted in annual internal carry-forwards to align funding to effective project approval plans.
  • Expenditures were reduced in 2009–10 as a result of a re-profile of project funding to future years (2012–14). The realignment of funding is attributed to a delay in the implementation of business intelligence and data warehouse infrastructure technology, a delay in the deployment of the Passage system at first point of arrival and associated costs related to the uptake of highway carriers. Synergies of staffing among the CBSA’s major projects have also been realized.
  • eManifest is to be completed by 2015.

In 2009–10, the eManifest project team made significant progress in carrying out various project activities. Highlights included:

  • Bill S-2, an Act to amend the Customs Act, received Royal Assent on June 11, 2009. This Bill contains modifications to the requirements for advance commercial reporting that provide the Agency with the authority to mandate that carriers, importers and freight forwarders, in all modes of transportation, provide the CBSA with electronic shipment information before arrival in Canada.
  • The eManifest Business Intelligence Strategy and road map were approved in July 2009. A data governance framework and a data stewardship group have been established, which will standardize the use of data and data definitions to ensure future data quality and linkages to business ownership.
  • The Highway In-Transit Pilot was successfully tested and was implemented into CBSA production systems as of October 4, 2009. This enhancement supports linkages between the existing commercial systems of the CBSA and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. To accompany the system upgrades, the CBSA and U.S. Customs and Border Protection will work cooperatively to communicate information related to in-transit cargo shipments.

The 2009–10 reporting period also included significant stakeholder engagement activities related to the implementation of eManifest in the highway mode and the deployment of the Web portal in 2010–11. These activities included:

  • the distribution of the electronic commerce client requirements document for highway carriers to the trade community for discussion and finalization, and
  • the gathering of stakeholders and agency representatives through the eManifest Stakeholder Partnership Network and other consultative forums to discuss eManifest design, development, implementation and communication activities.

8. Industrial Benefits

As eManifest will help provide CBSA officers with the right information at the right time, Canadian industry will benefit from more certainty at the border and from streamlined release processes. This will enable both industry and the CBSA to manage commercial import volumes more effectively. In addition, eManifest functionality will enable the seamless movement of goods through secure, international trade-supply chains. With improved controls along the international trade-supply chains, the CBSA can more efficiently allocate resources to ensure that integrated border services further national security and safety priorities, while facilitating the free flow of low-risk people and goods.

Air Cargo Security

1. Description

The primary objective of the Air Cargo Security Program is to develop a comprehensive air cargo security regime in Canada that is in line with international partners and that will mitigate the risks associated with the introduction of explosives in cargo or mail and the use of cargo aircraft as weapons. Supply chain programs to identify low-risk cargo will be developed and procedures to screen high-risk and targeted cargo will be identified.

Transport Canada is the lead for the Air Cargo Security Program; the CBSA is a participating department. Only CBSA information is provided below.

2. Project Phase

In 2009–10, priority initiatives of the Air Cargo Security Program were implemented.

3. Leading and Participating Departments and Agencies

Lead Department Transport Canada
Contracting Authority Public Works and Government Services Canada and the Canada Revenue Agency
Participating Departments Canada Border Services Agency

4. Prime and Major Subcontractor(s)

Prime Contractor n/a
Major Subcontractor(s) n/a

5. Major Milestones

Major Milestone Date

Privacy impact assessment

Ongoing

Interim technology standards released

July 31, 2009

Secure supply chain management system contract resolution

September 18, 2009

High-risk cargo defined

September 15, 2009

Air cargo security measures released

August 28, 2009

Economic analysis (initial)

August 31, 2009

Memorandum of Understanding completed

To be done after the privacy impact assessment is completed

Memorandum to Cabinet draft completed

December 3, 2009

Treasury Board submission draft (next phase)

Completed May 2010

Regulatory standards completed

January 31, 2010

Remote air sampling completed for canine olfaction test bed

May 7, 2010 (anticipated)

Costruzioni elettroniche industriali automatismi test bed completed

May 21, 2010 (anticipated)

Air cargo security measures effective

March 31, 2010

6. Project Outcomes

Air travellers will benefit from this program. Benefits include:

  • enhanced regulatory regime;
  • oversight, training and compliance;
  • screening technologies and processes;
  • mutual recognition and interoperability;
  • support for risk assessments undertaken by Transport Canada; and
  • screening of air cargo items at small and remote Class II and Class Other airports.

7. Progress Report and Explanations of Variances

The current Treasury Board submission was signed in August 2009. Milestones such as the privacy impact assessment and the Memorandum of Understanding are expected to be completed in early 2010–11.

8. Industrial Benefits

  • Protect the Canadian public and those working in the air cargo supply chain.
  • Streamline trade through risk management.
  • Promote the movement of goods both domestically and internationally through effective trade supply chains.
  • Improve the ability of the CBSA to detect high-risk cargo.
  • Improve controls and make better and more efficient allocations of CBSA resources.
  • Ensure the efficient flow of goods contributing to Canada’s economic prosperity.

Temporary Resident Biometrics

1. Description

The Temporary Resident Biometrics Project is a Citizenship and Immigration Canada-led major Crown project, in partnership with the CBSA and RCMP. The objective of the project is to streamline identity management within the Government of Canada’s Temporary Resident Program. Against the backdrop of the rise of identity fraud globally and the use of ever more sophisticated means to evade detection, a key challenge in Canada’s immigration program is identifying applicants and managing their identity with confidence. The Temporary Resident Biometrics Project is not aimed at a re-engineering of processes and systems, but rather an enhancement to existing visa, study and work permit applications and visitor entry processes, and leveraging the investment in existing systems of Citizenship and Immigration Canada, the CBSA and RCMP to the maximum extent possible.

Budget 2008 provided the CBSA with funding in the amount of $12.7 million. Using this funding, the CBSA will design and develop a photo verification solution at all ports of entry, as well as a solution for discretionary biometric verification in secondary inspection at selected ports of entry. The CBSA is currently on schedule to implement the above-noted work components by March 2013.

2. Project Phase

The Temporary Resident Biometrics Project is currently in the analysis and design phase.

3. Leading and Participating Departments and Agencies

Lead Department

Citizenship and Immigration Canada

Contracting Authority

Public Works and Government Services Canada

Participating Departments

CBSA and RCMP

4. Prime and Major Subcontractor(s)

Prime Contractor n/a
Major Subcontractor(s) n/a

5. Major Milestones

Major Milestone Date

Business requirements for Phase 1 (re-scoped option)

April 2010

Business use cases for Phase 1 (re-scoped option)

Summer 2010

System requirements for Phase 1 (re-scoped option)

June 2010

System use cases for Phase 1 (re-scoped option)

Fall 2010

Memorandum to Cabinet

Fall 2010

Posting of the request for proposal

November 2010

Effective project approval submission

December 2010

Evaluating responses to the request for proposal

January 2011 to March 31, 2011

6. Project Outcomes

  • Migration that significantly benefits Canada’s economic, social and cultural development, while protecting the health, safety and security of Canadians. Related program activities: the Immigration Program and the Temporary Resident Program.
  • International recognition and acceptance of the principles of managed migration consistent with Canada’s broader foreign policy agenda, and protection of refugees in Canada. Related program activities: Canada’s role in international migration and protection, and the Refugee Program.
  • Successful integration of newcomers into society and promotion of Canadian citizenship. Related program activities: the Integration Program and the Citizenship Program.
  • Canada’s population is safe and secure from border-related risks. Related program activities: Port of entry operations (Conventional Border).
  • Legitimate travellers and goods move freely and lawfully across the border. Related program activities: Port of entry operations (Conventional Border).

Beneficiaries

  • The affected client groups are primarily applicants for temporary resident visas. In 2006, Citizenship and Immigration Canada received over 1.2 million applications abroad in the temporary immigration program. The volume of temporary applications has been increasing in recent years and is estimated to reach roughly 1.6 million by 2012.
  • Canadian society will be the prime beneficiary of this initiative. Strengthened identity management will provide increased security and reduce the abuse of the Immigration Program. These are key elements of ensuring the safety, security and health of Canadian society and maximizing the economic benefits of immigration. A March 2007 survey by Ipsos Reid found that 88 percent of Canadians were supportive of the use of biometrics in verifying the identity of foreign nationals applying for visas, and 90 percent supported conducting background checks on foreign nationals seeking to enter Canada.

7. Progress Report and Explanations of Variances

  • With the $12.7 million that the CBSA received in Budget 2008, the project has been re‑scoped to include only photo verification at all Canadian ports of entry, and discretionary fingerprint verification in secondary inspection at selected ports of entry.
  • Amended preliminary project approval was received in April 2010.
  • Various documents in support of overall project management have been prepared, such as a project charter. In addition, business requirements and business use cases to support the reduced scope are well underway.
  • Due to delays in the request for proposal process, the CBSA did not procure any equipment in 2009–10.
  • The CBSA is currently on schedule to design and develop photo verification at all Canadian ports of entry and discretionary biometric verification at secondary inspection at selected ports of entry.
  • The CBSA is currently operating within budget, as allocated by the Department of Finance Canada, for the reduced scope project option.
  • The CBSA will be ready to implement the reduced scope solution by March 31, 2013 as originally envisioned.

8. Industrial Benefits

Given the greater assurance of an individual’s identity due to the addition of biometrics, Canadian society will be the prime beneficiary of this initiative. Strengthened identity management will provide increased security and reduce the abuse of the Immigration Program. These are key elements of ensuring the safety, security and health of Canadian society and maximizing the economic benefits of immigration.