ARCHIVED - RPP 2007-2008
Canada Border Services Agency

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SECTION II – ANALYSIS OF PROGRAM ACTIVITIES

Preface

In accordance with Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat requirements, the CBSA has adopted a Program Activity Architecture (PAA) that includes all activities undertaken by the Agency and provides a structure to ensure that they are aligned with our mandate and priorities. The CBSA PAA reflects our operations and includes our strategic outcome and three of the four program activities2.

CBSA Program Activity Architecture

		Planned Spending (thousands of dollars)
		2007–2008	2008–2009		2009–2010		Contributes to the following CBSA strategic priorities*	Contributes to the following Government outcome areas**
	Strategic Outcome:	Efficient and effective border management that contributes to the security and prosperity of Canada
Program Activities	Access	661,688	663,538		667,002		Priority 1, 2 and 3	A strong and mutually beneficial North American partnership
	Security	402,529	458,215		438,762		Priority 1, 2 and 3
	Science and Technology-based Innovation	379,248	364,100		348,298		Priority 1, 2, 3 and 4
	Totals:	1,443,465	1,485,853		1,454,062

* Priority 1: Effective delivery of programs and services
Priority 2: Innovating for the border of the future
Priority 3: Strong internal and external relationships
Priority 4: A modern management regime

** In addition, the work accomplished under our program activities also supports the safe and secure communities and the Fair and secure market place Government outcome areas.

Each of these program activities has related sub-activities. The descriptions in the following pages provide context for understanding our work and the breadth of all our activities over the planning period. Under the "key programs and services" headings within each program activity, we highlight specific programs or services selected to illustrate the planned activities we will undertake in this fiscal year.

A list of other programs and services that contribute to the program activities can be found in Section IV.

2 In keeping with Treasury Board Secretariat direction, we have not reported on the Corporate Management and Direction program activity in this section. For further information on this program activity and its links to departmental priorities, please see Section IV, Other Items of Interest.

Program Activity: Access

Introduction

Part of the Agency's purpose is to ensure the lawful flow of trade and travel while protecting the safety and security of Canadians and supporting Canada's prosperity. The Access program activity encompasses the CBSA functions that ensure the lawful flow of people and goods, promote compliance with border legislation, and ensure a level playing field for legitimate trade and travel. These functions include the delivery of front-line operations, as well as policy direction and guidance related to the processing of people and goods at our borders.

Definition

Ensure the lawful flow of people and goods while promoting compliance with border legislation.

This program activity consists of four sub-activities: Trade, Goods, People/Travellers and Recourse.

Sub-activity: Trade

One of the key elements of the CBSA's border management responsibilities is the administration of a facilitative and transparent trade program that supports the competitiveness of Canadian business. This includes the development and delivery of national programs and policies relating to the administration of international trade agreements and domestic legislation with respect to trade in commercial goods. Some of the specific activities include tariff classification; valuation and origin, administering trade incentives, refusing entry of prohibited importations, collecting duties and taxes, taking anti-dumping and countervailing actions, conducting origin audits, and conducting compliance verification activities to ensure compliance with the law.

Sub-activity: Goods

By managing the entry of thousands of trucks, ships, rail containers and aircraft carrying millions of dollars in goods arriving at Canada's borders each day, the CBSA plays a vital role in ensuring access of legitimate goods to the Canadian economy. In support of the ever-increasing volumes of trade, we develop and deliver national programs and policies related to the admissibility and processing of goods. This includes providing information and assistance to importers and exporters and working with multiple federal partners to administer an extensive variety of legislation. Our officers working in the highway, air, marine, rail, postal and courier modes conduct examinations and inspections to ensure compliance with all border laws.

Sub-activity: People/Travellers

Developing and delivering national programs and policies related to the admissibility and processing of people/travellers and their goods includes customs processing as well as the processing of plant, animal and food products accompanying individuals at the border. We also develop the policies, procedures, alliances and working partnerships needed to maintain immigration border control, while facilitating the entry of lawful people. CBSA officers are responsible for examining foreign nationals seeking entry into Canada and for making appropriate decisions regarding their status. Within the People/Travellers sub-activity, we are working to explore all options to simplify and accelerate the entry process for eligible individuals, including alternative inspection programs and low-risk traveller programs such as the NEXUS program in the land, air and marine modes.

Sub-activity: Recourse

Fair treatment and a commitment to the rights of the individuals and groups with whom we interact are fundamental pillars of our relationships and operations. Within the Recourse sub-activity, the CBSA develops recourse-related programs and policies and delivers the administrative review of CBSA decisions related to trade programs and enforcement sanctions. Our goal is to provide clients with fair, impartial and timely resolution of disputes. Our recourse programs provide policy and procedural clarification on border management matters not only to the importing/exporting community, but also to federal and international partners. Through this sub-activity, we also manage the appeals process for disputes before the Canadian International Trade Tribunal, the Canadian Human Rights Commission and the courts. Our recourse programs ensure a level playing field for travellers and traders.

Financial Resources (thousands of dollars):

2007-2008	2008-2009	2009-2010
661,688	663,538	667,002

Human Resources (Full Time Equivalents (FTE)):

2007-2008	2008-2009	2009-2010
7,923	7,964	8,005

Note: The Agency has conducted a review of the program activity allocation and has made an adjustment in the 2007-2008 Main Estimates.

Details on human resources impacts can be found in Appendix B, Human Resources Plan.

Access: key programs and services

This program activity is substantial, encompassing regional border operations, headquarters and support services involved in managing access to Canada. Of the $661 million in planned spending for Access in 2007-2008, $513 million has been allocated to the front-line activities described above. Given the scope of these activities, it is vital that we work to understand our current operating environment and processes fully and look for new and innovative ways to improve the processing of people and goods. To this end, we are reviewing and modernizing our frameworks for the movement of people and goods, and for our core services. The recently completed resource base (funding) review has identified gaps for which additional resources are required in order for the CBSA to continue to deliver on these priorities and maintain and enhance the integrity of its Access programs.

Examples of specific activities for 2007-2008 under the Access program activity are included below.

Building and maintaining program expertise

Over the next three years, one of the CBSA's main areas of focus will be building and maintaining program expertise and understanding to ensure the effective delivery of programs and services. In 2007-2008, the CBSA will undergo a review of the competencies and skill sets required for the delivery of the food, plant and animal (FPA) program related to imports. The review will identify best practices, needs and gaps in FPA program service delivery and will enable the Agency to work towards national consistency in the delivery of the FPA program. This review will serve as the basis for developing an action plan to address any issues and gaps identified and to develop succession plans to address them.

Developing integrated frameworks for effective program delivery

In support of the strategic goal to develop integrated frameworks for effective program delivery, the CBSA will complete or advance key frameworks by undertaking the following activities over the 2007-2008 fiscal year:

Developing an integrated policy framework for border processes

This year, the CBSA will focus its efforts on the development of the Movement of Goods Framework, an integrated policy framework for border processes in support of effective delivery of programs and services. This all-inclusive framework will ensure that field operations and clients receive consistent and effective policy interpretation and guidance, and will support other government department programs that are administered at the border. Work towards the integrated policy framework will include enhancements to the commercial process mapping system, including the postal and courier processes; internal and external consultation on commercial policies requiring priority updating; ongoing work to update/revise and publish policies; continued work with other government department partners to promote an electronic data interchange (EDI) interface with clients and the CBSA, toward the goal of a future single-window interface; an implementation plan to modernize the CBSA's Administrative Monetary Penalty System; a preliminary report for the postal, broker and account security reviews; and the launch of the courier review.

Movement of People Framework

The objective of the Movement of People Framework is to develop a long-term strategy for the movement of people across Canada's borders. This framework is a combination of program review and strategic visioning that examines CBSA business processes to integrate customs, immigration and food inspection programs that will allow the Agency to determine the best way to use its innovative inspection programs to improve the processing and streaming of persons arriving at the border, to expedite the flow of low-risk travellers and to concentrate on high-risk travellers.

In 2007-2008, the CBSA will review the gaps and opportunities identified in studies of the primary and secondary inspection line functions, the travellers program review and the results of internal and external consultations, as a basis for developing a framework for a vision for the future processing of people.

Consulting on a future vision for the commercial program

With the reviews underway for the movement of goods framework and the eManifest program, a future vision is required for the commercial community to shape the commercial landscape for the next 10 years. Building on the work done in 2006-2007, the Agency will now continue its work in this area by participating in forward-thinking consultation and planning exercises with internal and external groups on the longer-term vision for the commercial program.

Core Services Review

The constant increase in international trade and travel has meant an increase in requests for new and enhanced publicly funded services, and the CBSA is currently unable to respond to these pressures with its current base resource allocation. The Core Services Review will determine options for a policy framework for defining publicly and privately funded services beginning with the air mode. This policy framework will be used to develop an operational model that will allow the CBSA to evaluate requests for services according to specific criteria.

The development of policy options, evaluation criteria, and an operational model will provide a fair, equitable and transparent means of assessing service requests. At the same time, the Review will ensure the best distribution of CBSA resources to provide services where they are most needed. The continued provision of these services and any increases to them will require additional resources because the Agency's current base resource allocation does not provide the flexibility to address these pressures, or others associated with improved border management, integration and streamlining.

In 2007-2008, the CBSA will conduct consultations with external stakeholders in the air mode with a view to developing an operational model and various policy options for this mode.

Developing an agency-wide Compliance Management Plan

The Compliance Management Plan (formerly known as the Compliance Improvement Plan) is an integrated business plan that will help manage compliance activities across the Agency. In 2007-2008, a working group will be tasked with conducting a thorough and inclusive review of the existing Plan in order to give consideration to expanding its scope to address all legacy functions and to work toward developing a national strategy. Ultimately, this national strategy will identify priorities for compliance activities and be used to assess compliance risks, analyze results, and re-evaluate priorities.

The Plan will further include the development of a comprehensive, integrated strategy for planning and reporting on compliance activities conducted across the Agency, at the border, after release and within client services environments. Publication of an annual Compliance Management Plan and Results Report is planned for the 2008-2009 fiscal year.

The Compliance Management Plan will provide the CBSA with the ability to accurately report on compliance levels and risks in a timely manner; the capacity to incorporate Agency priorities – and all relevant program and compliance activities – into one integrated strategy; and help us produce useful information for resource allocation decisions that is based on compliance priorities and results of compliance activities.

Implementing the trade program review

The Trade Program Fundamental Review was a comprehensive examination of the various internal trade programs (tariff policy, origin, valuation and anti-dumping and countervailing programs). The Review concluded that the specialized activities within each program were essential to the overall administration of trade-related legislation and recommended that the CBSA maintain a critical mass of expertise from each area. Changes were recommended to the organizational structure for each program to better focus resources toward key activities and to increase flexibility in responding to changing priorities. Implementation of the Review recommendations will optimize delivery and increase flexibility in responding to changing priorities of the trade programs.

In 2007-2008, the CBSA will continue to follow through on the recommendations of the Review to optimize delivery and increase flexibility. The Agency further plans to acquire and maintain subject-matter experts in each of the program areas. To meet our objectives, compliance resources will be realigned and consolidated in two phases to focus on cross-program activities that have common or similar processes. Phase I, the realignment of anti-dumping and countervailing compliance, will occur this fiscal year while Phase II, the consolidation of other trade programs' compliance activities, is planned for next fiscal year.

Strengthening relationships with other federal government departments

Capitalizing on linkages and synergies between the CBSA and other federal departments by continuing to take active roles in advancing Canada's trade interests

The advancement of Canada's trade interests through participation in free trade and other international agreements is one of the pillars of the CBSA's core business that supports the economic prosperity of Canada.

Free trade agreements

The CBSA will continue to assist the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade in the negotiation of Canada's Free Trade Agreements (FTA). Advantage Canada, the government's economic plan released on November 23, 2006, states that through the Global Commerce Strategy, Canada will pursue regional and bilateral trade agreements to ensure that Canadian business can fully participate in global market opportunities. In addition, Canada's ongoing participation in a number of international fora, including committees of the World Customs Organization (WCO) and the World Trade Organization (WTO), is essential to our economic well-being.

Advantage Canada identifies a number of countries as prospective free trade partners. In 2007-2008, the CBSA will continue to provide key input to negotiations on customs procedures that form part of each FTA. During implementation, the CBSA will ensure that any amendments to the relevant legislation and regulations accurately reflect the provisions of the FTA. The Agency will further be responsible for communicating with domestic stakeholders on the import and export requirements established in each of these agreements. Subject to finalization of FTA negotiations, the CBSA will develop and deliver associated regulatory requirements and communication packages for relevant stakeholders.

Other international agreements

The CBSA will continue to assist the Department of Finance and the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada in presenting and defending Canada's position with respect to international agreements such as the WTO agreements concerning customs valuation, anti-dumping and countervailing duty measures, as well as any WTO Trade Dispute Panels. Canada's participation in the WCO Technical Committees on Customs Valuation and in meetings of the WTO Committee on Anti-dumping and Subsidies and Countervailing Measures and the Harmonized System (Tariff) Committee are essential to our economy.

Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative

In September 2006, the U.S. Congress passed the Fiscal Year 2007 Homeland Security Appropriations Act, which was signed into law in October 2006. The Act includes, among other things, an amendment granting permission to delay the implementation of the WHTI for travel by land and sea. Given this development, the CBSA will continue to work closely with its U.S. counterparts to ensure that our global relationships and economies remain strong and that any potential impacts on legitimate travel or trade at the borders are minimized.

The Agency's contribution toward this initiative over 2007-2008 has the dual objectives of ensuring that WHTI is properly implemented, while also enhancing security and facilitating the passage of low risk people and goods. The CBSA will continue to participate in discussions with the U.S. to ensure that WHTI is implemented to the satisfaction of both countries.

Program Activity: Security

Introduction

The Government of Canada is committed to the safety and protection of Canadians and their communities. As Canada's first line of defence, ensuring the safety and security of Canadians is an important component of the CBSA's work. Whether posted abroad, working at the front-line or interacting with other law-enforcement agencies, CBSA officers exercise constant vigilance in protecting our borders from all manner of threats.

Definition

Within the context of the government's security agenda, and through effective border management, ensure the safety and security of Canadians.

This program activity is divided into two sub-activities: Intelligence and Enforcement.

Sub-activity: Intelligence

The CBSA relies on intelligence-based decision making to identify high-risk travellers and contraband goods bound for Canada. In accordance with its multiple borders approach, the CBSA screens people and goods at several points along the travel continuum: at the earliest opportunity overseas, in transit and on arrival at the Canadian border. Receiving and reviewing documentation in advance improves our ability to target and interdict inadmissible people and goods, and acts as a deterrent to those contemplating illegal immigration activities or the importation of goods that pose a threat to public health and safety. The Intelligence sub-activity includes initiatives related to the collection, analysis, distribution and sharing of intelligence regarding threats to national security, including terrorism, war crimes, organized crime, smuggling, fraud and irregular migration. It also includes guiding and coordinating our intelligence operations across Canada and abroad, and providing direct support to our front-line officers.

Sub-activity: Enforcement

One of the primary functions of CBSA front-line officers is to identify and take appropriate enforcement action to minimize the risks of dangerous people and goods entering and remaining in Canada. Through the Enforcement sub-activity, we provide guidance in the enforcement of all border legislation and ensure enhanced national security by developing appropriate policies and procedures and by equipping border services officers with the tools they need to do their jobs, such as modern contraband detection equipment and X-ray and gamma-ray equipment. This work also includes building key partnerships with domestic and international law-enforcement agencies, promoting partnerships and sharing information. Additional responsibilities related to this sub-activity include the investigation of individuals who commit offences counter to Canadian border legislation; the making of recommendations for prosecution; and the detention and removal of people who have no legal right to remain in Canada, especially those who pose a threat to Canadian society.

Financial Resources (thousands of dollars):

2007-2008	2008-2009	2009-2010
402,529	458,215	438,762

Human Resources (Full Time Equivalents (FTE)):

2007-2008	2008-2009	2009-2010
4,069	4,473	4,464

Note: The Agency has conducted a review of the program activity allocation and has made an adjustment in the 2007-2008 Main Estimates.

Details on human resources impacts can be found in Appendix B, Human Resources Plan.

Security: key programs and services

This program activity is substantial, encompassing international operations, regional border operations, headquarters and support services involved in ensuring the safety and security of Canadians. Of the $402 million in planned spending for Security in 2007-2008, $192 million has been allocated to the front-line activities described above. Given the scope of these activities, it is vital that we work to understand our current operating environment and processes fully, and look for new and innovative ways to secure our border. To this end, we are reviewing and modernizing the tools used to do our job.

The recently completed resource base (funding) review has identified gaps for which additional resources are required in order for the CBSA continue to deliver on these priorities and maintain and enhance the integrity of its Security programs.

Examples of specific activities for 2007-2008 under the Security program activity are included below.

Building and maintaining program expertise

As part of our efforts to ensure the effective delivery of programs and services, the CBSA will continue to focus on building and maintaining program expertise and understanding in the areas of immigration and FPA inspection throughout 2007-2008. We recognize that one area critical to our success is to ensure that we have the right people and skill sets in place for delivering related CBSA programs. To address this need, we are committed to ensuring that our employees receive the necessary training in order to increase their overall Agency awareness and develop expertise in related program areas. We are also committed to carrying out succession planning that addresses transference of this knowledge and expertise to the workforce of the future.

Throughout 2007-2008, we will also continue to update and modify our existing orientation modules to provide staff with the necessary knowledge to ensure that the CBSA carries out its mandate effectively and efficiently.

The CBSA recognizes the importance of its workforce and is committed to ensuring that the Agency develops and maintains the right skill sets and expertise in program areas of critical risk. Therefore, part of our efforts in 2007-2008 will be devoted to developing recruitment, retention and succession plans for people working in vital program areas. More information can be found in Appendix B, Human Resources Plan.

Improving border security by beginning the process of arming CBSA officers who work at land border crossings and marine commercial operations, as well as officers who perform inland enforcement functions

The 2006 federal budget allocated $101 million over two years to start the process of arming CBSA officers and eliminating work-alone situations. In 2007-2008, the Agency will continue to ensure that the initiatives to implement arming and end work-alone situations are implemented properly, professionally and without unnecessary delay. The CBSA will also remain dedicated to transparency and consultation with key stakeholders, including union representatives, throughout the planning and implementation phases.

Arming

During 2007-2008, we will continue consultations with other federal and provincial departments and agencies, as well as with other governments that have undertaken similar arming initiatives. The Agency recognizes the importance of ensuring a comprehensive and appropriate program and will work towards developing and revising human resources and operational policies and processes in addition to ensuring that adequate training is put in place before implementation.

To ensure a smooth process, and an effective transition, the CBSA has identified six key activities for this fiscal year: selection of a CBSA duty firearm, training development, policy development, information technology support, construction and renovation of facilities and other infrastructure, and the implementation strategy.

By March 31, 2008, the CBSA plans to have a minimum of 250 officers trained and equipped with duty firearms. With this in mind, the CBSA will begin training CBSA officers in July 2007 and has plans to deploy the first set of armed CBSA officers in August 2007. The CBSA will also be moving forward to train and equip a total of 4,800 CBSA officers.

Ending work-alone situations

In 2007-2008, the Agency will continue its efforts to eliminate work-alone situations for border services officers by conducting a review of priority sites where "doubling up" – eliminating situations where officers work alone – is required and assessing the operational and human resources impacts of this initiative. The Agency will also continue to consult with the union, the regions and branches to highlight areas of concern and identify potential solutions before implementation. Plans are also under-way to take on 400 new permanent officers to help eliminate situations where officers work alone, with a minimum of 50 officers hired and trained by March 31, 2008.

Document analysis

In 2007-2008, the CBSA will continue its work on document analysis by producing a full range of training packages, document alerts and tools relating to travel document fraud or document security issues. These products will be distributed to our officers overseas, other government departments, airlines and foreign control partners in order to combat irregular migration, including smuggling and trafficking, and as part of efforts to increase detection and prevention of document and identity fraud.

Container Security Initiative

Since March 2005, Canada has partnered with the United States to work on the Container Security Initiative, a multinational program that protects the primary system of global trade – containerized shipping – from being exploited or disrupted by terrorists. The Container Security Initiative is designed to safeguard global maritime trade while allowing cargo containers to move faster and more efficiently through the supply chain at seaports worldwide.

In 2007-2008, the CBSA will continue to work in partnership with the United States on the Container Security Initiative. As part of this partnership, and in accordance with our multiple borders strategy of pushing the borders out, the CBSA will focus throughout the fiscal year on deploying officers to foreign countries to work with local authorities in the targeting and verification of shipping containers, and in identifying high-risk containers before they are loaded onto vessels destined for North America.

We will be able to gauge our performance on this initiative through the number of pilot projects implemented in the 2007-2008 fiscal year.

Partners in Protection

The Partners in Protection program received an investment of $11.6 million in the 2006 Budget to strengthen border security. The Partners in Protection program enlists the cooperation of private industry in efforts to enhance border security, combat organized crime and terrorism, increase awareness of customs compliance issues, and help detect and prevent contraband smuggling. Under this program, the CBSA has developed strategic partnerships with private industry to secure the flow of low-risk, legitimate goods and travellers across our border.

The Partners in Protection program continues to undergo a review and evaluation to assess its effectiveness, to ensure compliance with the WCO's Framework of Standards to Secure and Facilitate Global Trade, and to identify possible avenues to make Partners in Protection more compatible with the U.S. counterpart program, Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism.

Budget 2006 provided additional funding to the Partners in Protection program to support a major transformation. Over the 2007-2008 fiscal year, Partners in Protection membership requirements, regional delivery capacity, officer training, operational and administrative support and enforcement measures will be re-examined and upgraded to provide a stronger and more effective security program.

In part, we will be able to gauge our success through the drafting and negation of minimum security standards for all modes, by conducting internal and external consultations with the trade supply industry and relevant partners, and through the negotiation of joint training and on-site security validations.

War Crimes Program

Canada has affirmed that it is not and will never become a safe haven for persons involved in war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide regardless of when or where they occurred. This is consistent with domestic legislation as well as with Canada's commitment to international justice. Canada's War Crimes Program is an initiative coordinated with the CBSA, the RCMP, the Department of Justice and Citizenship and Immigration Canada. The CBSA program focuses on post-World War II cases (i.e. modern-day war criminals).

Within the provisions of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, the CBSA takes a three-pronged approach in dealing with modern-day war criminals:

• preventing suspected war criminals from reaching Canada by providing recommendations to Citizenship and Immigration Canada in order to make final determinations on immigrant, refugee or visitor visa applications from abroad;
• excluding war criminals from the refugee determination process in Canada; and
• removing, through the immigration admissibility hearing process, war criminals that have already entered Canada.

Through this initiative, and with the program partners, our goals are to deny access to Canada for persons who are inadmissible for having participated in war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide and to take enforcement action against those persons already in Canada.

In 2007-2008, the CBSA and the program partners will continue to provide a highly effective service to protect Canadian values. Our focus for the upcoming year remains two key components of the program: operational coordination and allegation management. Within the CBSA, we will measure our success in terms of the number of persons complicit in war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide who are determined to be inadmissible to Canada, excluded from the refugee determination process as a result of their prior actions or removed from Canada. In 2007-2008, we will also focus on continuing to enhance partnerships with other like-minded countries to share information and best practices to maximize program effectiveness.

Migration integrity officers

The CBSA has 44 migration integrity officers (MIOs) and three intelligence liaison officers located in 39 key locations abroad. The migration integrity program encompasses intelligence gathering, analysis and reporting related to visa or immigration application fraud, organized crime, irregular migration, public security and terrorism, and war crimes and crimes against humanity. Migration integrity program policy is aimed at protecting the integrity of the Canadian immigration selection system, the refugee determination process and the safety, security and good order of Canadian society, including the interdiction of persons inadmissible to Canada. Information is gathered through a network of contacts with host-country officials, officials from other governments in the designated region, airline personnel and law-enforcement agents and is used by CBSA senior management, operational staff and other government departments such as Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

MIOs also support the integrity of the overseas immigration program through anti-fraud activities, which include identifying fraud indicators for visa officers and conducting site visits in connection with suspicious applications. MIOs also provide training to local airlines and authorities to identify false and altered travel documents. These officers maintain a steady flow of information and are key to building sound intelligence concerning illegal migration patterns and trends, while ensuring the integrity of Canada's immigration program.

In 2007-2008, we will continue to work with our partners at Citizenship and Immigration Canada and the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada to support our employees abroad. We will also enhance the information-sharing protocols used by our officers abroad, the CBSA's National Risk Assessment Centre, CBSA headquarters and other government departments. Our success will continue to be measured through a range of performance indicators: the number of improperly documented travellers intercepted before departure, reporting from MIOs, feedback from partners and statistical information in monthly activity reports.

Removals

The protection and the safety of Canadians is a top priority for the CBSA. The CBSA's removal priorities continue to be individuals who pose a threat to the security of Canada, such as those involved in terrorist activities, organized crime and crimes against humanity, criminals, failed refugee claimants and other inadmissible persons.

The CBSA may remove any person who is found to be inadmissible to Canada. There are three types of removal orders, each having a different consequence. Departure and exclusion orders are usually issued in less serious situations. Individuals who comply fully with a departure order do not need permission to return to Canada. Exclusion orders allow individuals to return to Canada after a specific period of time and may require the authorization of the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration. Deportation orders are issued in more serious situations and require that the person obtain permission from the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration to return to Canada.

Those under a removal order are entitled to various appeals as well as a pre-removal risk assessment. The CBSA removes those under removal order as soon as possible, ensuring that appropriate measures are taken to remove the person securely while respecting human rights.

The CBSA participates in joint charter removals with the United-States for high-risk removals. In 2007-2008, we will continue to explore collaborative means for removals, in addition to tracking the number of removals of persons who have no legal right to remain in Canada.

The CBSA will make the most effective and efficient use of its resources by focusing on the removal of high-risk individuals. We will assess our success through the number of inadmissibility reports written, the number of arrests made and the number of removals concluded.

Investigations

The safety of Canadians is enhanced by the investigation and prosecution of border security offences, such as the use of fraudulent documents to gain access to Canada and the smuggling or unlawful import/export of controlled, regulated or prohibited goods. Pursuing crimes related to the movement of goods promotes economic security, ensures the business community maintains confidence in Canada's trade and border legislation, and promotes a level playing field for Canadian businesses. Pursuing crimes related to the illicit movement of persons across our borders supports Canada's immigration program and deters others from seeking entry to Canada in an unlawful manner.

In keeping with last year's activities to integrate customs, immigration and FPA offences, we will continue to expand our border-related investigative activities in 2007-2008 by working with internal CBSA partners to implement enhanced enforcement activities pursuant to the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act made through Bill C-25.

We will gauge the success of our investigative work by the number of cases investigated and the number of prosecution recommendations made to and pursued by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Delivering on our major funded commitments:

Advancing and delivering on high-quality core infrastructure commitments

Business resumption planning

The CBSA remains committed to responding to any potential threats that would affect the well-being and safety of Canadians. As part of our strategy to identify and then mitigate these threats, the CBSA will work proactively with the United States to develop coordinated business resumption protocols, security technology and disaster recovery systems at the border in the event of an unexpected disaster or increased alert efforts. These efforts will support the continuity of border operations in the event of an emergency. In January 2007, the Government of Canada announced a significant investment in the CBSA of $24 million over five years for business resumption planning. In part, this money will be used to further harmonize and strengthen Canada-U.S. plans and to help ensure that plans are in place to enable the lawful flow of trade and travel during an emergency.

In 2007-2008, the CBSA will continue to support the Canada-U.S. business resumption planning partnership. This may include participating in joint training and joint planning exercises on incident response and recovery with our U.S. counterparts. This cross-border plan will further ensure that throughout 2007-2008, emergency response plans continue to be tested, evaluated and adapted to secure Canada's readiness in the event of an emergency.

Alleviating port running

The CBSA is committed to mitigating identified risks at Canada's borders. In order to reduce the incidence of port running – illegal crossings at our ports of entry at the land border –the Agency will put in place the necessary infrastructure in 2007-2008 to help reduce its occurrence. The CBSA has reallocated $9.7 million in 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 to alleviate the issue at problem locations.

Throughout the fiscal year, we will focus on identifying problem locations and developing and defining port running mitigation measures to be implemented in the field. Managing the security of our borders while facilitating legitimate trade and travel is a vital component to our risk-management approach.

Radiation detection technology

The CBSA uses a variety of technology solutions to help prevent contraband and dangerous goods from entering Canada. The use of contraband-detection technology enables CBSA officers to conduct effective, non-intrusive inspections and allows officers to focus on high-risk individuals and goods.

Over the past several years, the CBSA has made significant investments in technology that assists border services officers in detecting drugs, weapons, explosives and other dangerous goods. These investments have included innovative ion scanners that can identify trace amounts of narcotics; remote-operated vehicles for underwater inspection of marine vessels; and gamma-ray systems for scanning the contents of baggage, marine containers, rail cars or trucks.

Within this context, the CBSA has also developed the capacity to screen for radioactive materials at critical border points. The Radiation Detection Project is an initiative intended to safeguard Canada's trade and to combat terrorism. It enhances the safety of workers who might be exposed to radiation from dangerous goods, protects critical infrastructure at border points that might be the targets of terrorism and protects the Canadian public in general.

To this end, the CBSA has introduced both hand-held and mobile systems for detecting radiation in cargo entering Canada. It has also purchased fixed or "portal" radiation detectors and has begun installing them at various sites across Canada. These portals enable radiation detection in an automated, comprehensive and non-intrusive manner.

In 2007-2008, the CBSA will undertake a significant expansion of its radiation portal network at major ports of entry. The success of this project will depend on working closely with other law-enforcement agencies and industry stakeholders to ensure effective implementation of new portals.

Program Activity: Science and Technology-based Innovation

Introduction

The CBSA continually strives to innovate for the border of the future through the use and application of advanced technology. The Science and Technology-based Innovation program activity implements new methods and ideas to improve the quality of service provided to gather and analyze advance information, deliver innovative solutions in a timely manner, lessen the compliance burden, facilitate legitimate trade and travel and support revenue collection systems. It includes a diverse range of scientific, analytical and technology services and solutions for the CBSA to help identify and interdict high-risk people and goods, collaborate and share information with program partners, and provide systems and scientific solutions to process people and goods effectively in a risk-based environment. This program activity also provides laboratory and scientific services that include forensic and scientific research and analytical and technical advice to support the CBSA in achieving its mandate.

Definition

Utilize the CBSA's science and technology capacity to modernize border management and increase the effectiveness and efficiency of border operations.

Sub-activity: Business Solutions/Projects

Included in this sub-activity are the design, development and implementation of science and technology solutions to support delivery of border services. We use our expertise and an innovative approach to interpret business requirements and translate them into technological and science-based solutions for effective border management such as ongoing research of new types of emerging technologies in support of border operations. This includes new systems and programs for facilitating the entry of travellers and goods, such as NEXUS and Free and Secure Trade (FAST), and risk-assessment systems supporting border security. We also place a strong emphasis on planning and systems architecture to maximize efficiency and ensure interoperability with other systems within the CBSA and with external partners.

Sub-activity: Information Technology Infrastructure and Operations

Innovative, reliable systems are essential for effective border management. Within this sub-activity, we provide secure information technology (IT) infrastructure, maintain quality performance of operational systems, and operate and maintain national systems that support the movement of people and goods arriving at our borders and the collection of revenues from duties and taxes. This includes researching security-based technological solutions and best practices to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of border operations, security and enforcement. We also provide support to users in the field and partners in other organizations.

Sub-activity: Laboratory and Scientific Services

The CBSA is proud of its world-class laboratory that offers a diverse range of scientific, analytical and research advisory services. Within this sub-activity, we provide laboratory and scientific services to CBSA programs and external partners, departments and agencies. Our research into scientific products and solutions aids in modernizing border management and increases the effectiveness and efficiency of border operations, particularly in relation to security and enforcement. We also have the capacity to perform in-house physical and chemical analysis of industrial commodities and forensic examination of documents.

Financial Resources (thousands of dollars):

2007-2008	2008-2009	2009-2010
379,248	364,100	348,298

Human Resources (Full Time Equivalents (FTE)):

2007-2008	2008-2009	2009-2010
1,031	1,031	1,036

Note: The Agency has conducted a review of the program activity allocation and has made an adjustment in the 2007-2008 Main Estimates.

Details on human resources impacts can be found in Appendix B, Human Resources Plan.

Science and Technology-based Innovation: key programs and services

The recently completed resource base (funding) review has identified gaps for which additional resources are required in order for the CBSA continue to deliver on these priorities and maintain and enhance the integrity of its Science and Technology-based Innovation programs.

Following are examples of specific activities for 2007-2008 under the Science and Technology-based Innovation program activity.

Deliver on our major funded innovation commitments:

Advancing and developing commercial solutions

These commitments are innovative advances to commercial processes (e.g. the importations of goods, advance information, technology solutions for enhanced risk management that will improve targeting and protect Canadians from threats) that facilitate the free flow of trade thus enabling Canadian businesses to be more productive in an increasingly competitive world.

Key commercial solutions include the following:

eManifest

One of the strategies that the CBSA employs in managing the border is the use of advance information to identify and stop high-risk people and goods before they get to Canada. Having successfully implemented marine and air components of the Advance Commercial Information (ACI) initiative, the CBSA is now in the process of planning Phase III of ACI, known as eManifest.

eManifest is a key priority within the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America (SPP). eManifest will require the electronic transmission of advance cargo and conveyance information from carriers for all highway and rail shipments. In addition, the electronic transmission of advance secondary data will be required from freight forwarders and the electronic transmission of advance importer admissibility data will be required from importers or their brokers. This next phase of ACI solidifies the Agency's commitment to providing CBSA officers with electronic pre-arrival cargo information so that they are equipped with the right information at the right time to identify health, safety and security threats related to commercial goods before the goods arrive in Canada.

When it comes to border security, the CBSA always works closely with its counterparts in the United States. With this in mind, the CBSA will build on the work that was completed in 2006-2007 and will launch an in-transit pilot during 2007-2008. The goal of the pilot is to automate the existing multi-step, paper-based process Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) carriers now use for in-transit highway shipments between Canada and the United-States by introducing systems notifications between the CBSA and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

The CBSA will consult with industry representatives on eManifest. The CBSA, through the eManifest Stakeholder Partnership Network (eSPN), will work together with stakeholders to define and put into practice a public-private consultation model that will draw on our collective expertise throughout the deployment of eManifest. eSPN will offer the trade community and our internal stakeholders the opportunity to collaborate and work together on eManifest issues and design features. The objective of eSPN is to involve stakeholders in the development of the initiative and cultivate a sense of shared ownership. The CBSA will complete the initial feasibility of this initiative and submit its plan to the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat for final project approval in 2007-2008.

Harmonized Risk Scoring/Advance Trade Data

The Harmonized Risk Scoring/Advance Trade Data initiative will address information gaps in the supply chain by harmonizing targeting processes to the standards established by the World Customs Organization, partnering with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, incorporating additional trade data for increased risk assessment, creating an end-to-end assessment in the commercial supply chain and intercepting threats at the point of origin. The CBSA will complete the initial feasibility study of this initiative and submit its plan to the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat for final project approval in 2007-2008.

Advance Interdepartmental Reporting Initiative

The Advance Interdepartmental Reporting Initiative (AIRI) is a strategy for developing and implementing a single window approach for the electronic collection, integration, consolidation and dissemination of advance commercial information in the Government of Canada. This will help the CBSA to deliver on its goal of developing a comprehensive architecture for the commercial program. This single window will enable the CBSA to work with federal and industry partners to expand advance electronic reporting to streamline and better administer the programs of other government departments and agencies at the border.

This fiscal year, the CBSA will develop two components of the AIRI: a project plan and business strategy for the Interdepartmental Marine Conveyance Initiative, and the Other Government Department (OGD) Single Window Initiative. These two components are harmonized with the World Customs Organization OGD Data Model.

Advancing and developing people solutions

These are technological advances in people processes that are designed to facilitate the movement of travellers into and out of Canada while ensuring border security.

Key people solutions include the following:

NEXUS Air expansion

NEXUS Air is a bi-national program jointly developed by the CBSA and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Using automated kiosks with iris biometric technology, NEXUS Air is an alternate primary inspection process that expedites secure passage into Canada and the U.S. for low-risk, frequent air travellers. A formative evaluation of the NEXUS Air pilot recommended the expansion of NEXUS Air to other Canadian international airports housing U.S. pre-clearance facilities. The expansion of NEXUS Air has been identified as a priority for this fiscal year, and in addition to the recent expansion to Toronto Pearson International Airport and Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport in 2006-2007, further expansion is planned for early 2007-2008 in Halifax, Ottawa, Calgary, Edmonton and Winnipeg.

Passenger Name Record enhancements

The Advance Passenger Information/Passenger Name Record (API/PNR) program is designed to protect Canada and Canadians by enabling the CBSA to perform a risk assessment of travellers (passengers and crew) before their arrival in Canada. Through this initiative, high-risk air travellers are identified while en route, before they arrive at Canada's international airports. Although API/PNR is a functional system, enhancements continue to be developed.

In 2007-2008, we will complete a new method of acquiring PNR data, receive PNR data for all European carriers, and enhance our compliance with European Union privacy regulations.

Primary Automated Lookout System replacement

The Primary Automated Lookout System (PALS) replacement is an initiative to re-build an important system that is nearing the end of its lifecycle. This new system will provide border services officers with an improved tool that will be used to perform automated risk assessments against both travellers and vehicles seeking entry into Canada at the land border. The PALS replacement is a major enhancement that will integrate the e-licence plate reader and document reader technologies, allowing border services officers to perform risk assessments of both people and conveyances. This initiative will ensure the free flow of individuals by improving our risk assessment capability while enhancing the competitiveness of business and the tourism industry. This fiscal year, the CBSA will deploy the necessary equipment and software to ensure the proper replacement of PALS.

Advancing and delivering on high-quality core infrastructure commitments

One of the key core infrastructure commitments for the CBSA over 2007-2008, and for the following four years, is the implementation of Information Technology (IT) infrastructure pre-requisites. IT pre-requisites enable new hardware infrastructure and allow for faster implementation of both new systems and systems enhancements. It will improve the processing of people and goods at our borders and border security. These pre-requisites are essential for the development of key future initiatives and programs, such as those identified under the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America. The new infrastructure will increase IT development capacity through more efficient and effective testing. This translates into reduced time for product delivery and increased quality of the product.

 

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