Programs and Services

The mandate of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is to ensure the free flow of trade and travel while protecting the safety and security of Canadians. To meet this mandate, the CBSA strives to implement programs and initiatives that enhance the way the border is managed.

Over the past year, the CBSA has launched and expanded its programs and services that align with the World Customs Organization's Framework of Standards to Secure and Facilitate Global Trade:

• The Container Security Initiative (CSI) - The Container Security Initiative (CSI) is a multinational program that protects the primary system of global trade - containerized shipping - from being exploited or disrupted by terrorists. It is designed to safeguard global maritime trade while allowing cargo containers to move faster and more efficiently through the supply chain at seaports worldwide. The CBSA and the U.S. Customs Border Protection signed a CSI Partnership Arrangement in October 2005. The objective of this arrangement is to enhance marine security by deploying CBSA officers to foreign ports so that they can pre-screen and examine cargo containers in coordination with the host nation before the containers arrive in Canada.
  
  
• Advance Commercial Information (ACI) - The ACI program is introducing more effective risk-management processes and tools for unknown and high-risk shipments to enhance the CBSA's ability to protect the Canadian border while at the same time facilitate the legitimate flow of goods and trade. ACI is being delivered in phases. Phase 1 focused on marine cargo and conveyances and has been implemented since April 2004. Phase 2 focuses on air cargo and conveyance and marine shipments loaded in the United States. Implementation began on December 12, 2005. Future phases will focus on cargo and conveyance by highway and rail. Implementation dates have not yet been determined.
  
  
• The Customs Self Assessment (CSA) program is a streamlined accounting and payment process for all goods imported by approved importers. The program provides pre-approved importers, carriers and Commercial Driver Registration Program-registered drivers with the benefit of expedient CBSA clearance of CSA-eligible goods. Progress as of March 31, 2005 was approximately 22% of goods (based on value) accounted for under CSA trade data and accounting process.
  
  
• Free and Secure Trade (FAST) - There are 19 FAST sites where importers can clear their goods, by both Canada and the United States, before arriving at the border. As of September 30, 2005, there were 23 FAST approved importers, 518 FAST carriers and over 58,000 FAST registered drivers who participated in the FAST program.
  
  
• Partners in Protection - This program enlists industry partners to share the responsibility of securing the supply chain. The CBSA works with businesses to develop a plan of action, which includes security assessments, participation in awareness sessions, and other consultations with the CBSA. To date, there are 1,486 signed partners in the Partners in Protection program.
  
  
• Radiation Portal Detection Equipment - In December 2005, the first radiation portal was implemented at Saint John, New Brunswick. Portal Radiation Detectors are two stationary, highly sensitive panels between which vehicles pass to enable screening for potential sources of illicit radioactive materials, such as a dirty bomb or nuclear weapon. The CBSA has implemented another type of radiation detector, the carborne radiation detector at marine ports in Halifax, Saint John, Montreal and Vancouver. These are mobile radiation detection systems that are mounted on the roof of a vehicle.
  
  
• Contraband Detection Equipment - The CBSA uses a variety of technology to prevent contraband and dangerous goods from entering Canada. In 2005, the CBSA acquired new detection technology in the form of 30 dual mode systems (ion mobility spectrometry [IMS] technology) that simultaneously detect narcotics and explosives in one sampling. Also in 2005, 13 Contraband Outfitted Mobile Examination Trucks (COMETs) were purchased to transport CBSA officers and their detection equipment to examination sites and provide a mobile office in both the marine and air environments. In addition, five Remote Operated Vehicles (ROVs) were purchased. ROVs provide CBSA officers the ability to inspect the exterior of a vessel's hull below the water line. CBSA now holds an inventory of 16 COMETs and 10 ROVs.
  
  
• Mobile Vehicle and Cargo Inspection System (VACIS^TM) - Gamma-ray technology is used to capture images of contents in marine containers, rail cars or trucks. The systems are mobile which enhance CBSA officers' ability to examine densely loaded containers in awkward areas at ports of entry in order to detect suspected contraband, weapons, and other potentially dangerous goods. The CBSA has 12 units that are strategically located at seaports, airports, and land border crossings in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Québec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia.
  
  
• Pallet VACIS^TM - This is a self-contained stationary gamma-ray scanning system that captures images of pallets and large pieces of freight in customs commercial examination facilities. This state-of-the-art technology assists CBSA officers in detecting contraband, weapons, and other potentially dangerous goods. Three units have been installed at marine container examination facilities in British Columbia, Québec, and Nova Scotia.
  
  
• Laboratory Scientific Services Directorate - The Laboratory and Scientific Services Directorate (LSSD) is the scientific arm of the CBSA and provides innovative scientific and technological solutions to questions related to contraband detection, determination and origin of goods and a number of other specialty areas. LSSD offers a diverse range of scientific, analytical, and research advisory services to the Agency.
  
  
• National Risk Assessment Centre - The CBSA has established the National Risk Assessment Centre (NRAC) to increase Canada's ability to detect and interdict the movement of high-risk people and goods. This is done by analyzing and sharing intelligence information with national and international partners. NRAC acts as a focal point among intelligence agencies at the international, national and local levels. NRAC facilitates the timely flow of intelligence information to ensure the safe and secure flow of legitimate trade and travel.
  
  

To ensure that other national security priorities are met, the CBSA also provides the following programs that facilitate the free flow of people and maintain a secure border:

• NEXUS Highway - Using dedicated lanes at land border crossings, members can cross quickly and easily without being subject to usual Canadian and American customs and immigration questioning and exams. NEXUS Highway is available at 11 border crossings throughout southern Ontario, British Columbia and Québec. As of January 2006, there were over 90,000 people enrolled in the NEXUS Highway program.
  
  
• NEXUS Air - This pilot project at Vancouver International Airport allows participants to use iris recognition technology to clear customs and immigration quickly and securely. NEXUS Air was implemented in November 2004. As of January 2006, there were more than 5,000 active members.
  
  
• NEXUS Marine - Boaters are able to clear customs and immigration by simply calling the telephone-reporting centre up to 4 hours in advance to report their destination and estimated time of arrival. This pilot project was available in the Windsor/Detroit area along the Detroit River during the 2005 boating season from May to September. As of January 2006, there were approximately 700 members enrolled in the NEXUS Marine program.
  
  
• CANPASS Air - Frequent, pre-approved air travellers entering Canada can also use iris recognition technology to clear Canadian customs and immigration. CANPASS Air is available at the international airports in Calgary, Halifax, Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver. As of January 2006, CANPASS Air has over 13,500 active members. The CANPASS Air program was expanded this year to Edmonton and Winnipeg international airports.
  
  
• Advance Passenger Information/Passenger Name Record - The Advance Passenger Information/Passenger Name Record (API/PNR) program is designed to protect Canadians by enabling the CBSA to perform a risk assessment of travellers prior to their arrival in Canada. The CBSA uses this data to identify persons who may be subject to closer questioning or examination on arrival in Canada because of their potential relationship to terrorism or terrorism-related crimes, or other serious crimes such as the smuggling of drugs and humans.
  
  
• Migration Integrity Officers - One of the CBSA's priorities is to prevent the illicit movement of people before they even reach Canada. Our Migration Integrity Officers (MIO) are strategically stationed around the world and work actively with international partners to stop human trafficking and smuggling. MIOs also provide training to local airline and authorities on the identification of false and altered travel documents. In 2005, MIOs reported the interception abroad of approximately 5,400 improperly documented Canada-bound persons. In addition, the number of improperly documented arrivals at Canada's airports was at its lowest level since statistics were first recorded in 1990.
  
  
• Integrated Border Enforcement Teams - The IBETs comprise both intelligence and enforcement personnel from the RCMP and Canada Border Services Agency, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, American police services, and law enforcement and intelligence communities. These teams are strategically placed along the border and combine their efforts in gathering and sharing critical information to maintain a safe border. We now have 23 teams in 15 regions covering the entire border across the country.
  
  
• Cross-Border Currency and Monetary Instrument Reporting Regulations - The CBSA works with other law enforcement agencies and the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada to combat money laundering and terrorist financing. These regulations require any person or entity to declare to the CBSA, currency and monetary instruments of a value equal to or greater than CAN$10,000. Since January 2005, more than $40 million has been seized for unreported currency or monetary instruments equal to or greater than $10,000 Canadian or its equivalent. Approximately $8 million of this was seized as forfeit due to it being suspected proceeds of crime. Approximately $734,000 in penalties was assessed for the release of seized funds.
  
  
• Detector Dog Services - The CBSA currently has 68 detector dog teams strategically located across Canada. These teams help protect Canada's health and safety by detecting illegal narcotics, firearms and currency. They also help prevent harmful pests and diseases by detecting illegal plants, fruits, meat and animals. From April to October 2005, detector dog teams intercepted over 11,000 undeclared shipments resulting in more than 12,500 kilograms of animal- and plant-related health seizures at major international airports. In the same time period, drug, firearm and currency teams were responsible for 233 seizures totalling $12 million.
  
  
• Our Missing Children Program - The CBSA works in co-operation with the RCMP's National Missing Children Services, Foreign Affairs Canada, and the Department of Justice, to locate and reunite missing or abducted children with their lawful parents or guardians. Thanks to Canada's Our Missing Children program, hundreds of children are saved from harm or reunited with their rightful guardians each year. The program's main objective is to protect children by increasing national and international search, recovery-and-return support services.
  In 2005, CBSA officers recovered 64 missing children bringing the total to over 1,400 children reunited with their parents or legal guardians since 1986.