TBWG – The Ottawa Update Canada Border Services Agency Montreal, Québec October 23, 2013 Jay LaFrance, Canada-US Relations Overview 1. Operating Environment 2. Changes in Leadership 3. Continuing Initiatives and Balancing Priorities 2 Operating Environment • Speech from the Throne – Balancing the budget and shrinking the cost of Government • Tightened Fiscal Environment – Economic competitiveness and facilitation at the border is critical 3 Changes in Leadership • Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness – The Honourable Steven Blaney was named as the new minister of the Public Safety portfolio on July 15, 2013 • Vice-President of Programs Branch – Mr. Richard Wex assumes the role of VP Programs on December 9, 2013, upon the retirement of Cathy Munroe • Vice-President of Operations Branch – Mr. Martin Bolduc appointed VP Operations on October 7, 2013 4 Continuing Initiatives and Balancing Priorities • Border Modernization – Focus on improving efficiencies and service excellence • Beyond the Border: A Shared Vision for Perimeter Security and Economic Competitiveness – Sustained commitment to produce results 5 Entry / Exit • Entry / Exit information initiative enables the exchange of biographical information on the entry of travellers at the Canada-US land borders – Phase I of the pilot launched in September 2012 • Piloted at four points of entry – Phase II launched on June 30, 2013 • Data exchange has expanded to all common, automated land border ports of entry 6 Small and Remote Ports of Entry • Small and Remote Ports of Entry initiative established between the CBSA and US Customs and Border Protection addresses operational efficiencies on both sides of the border – bi-national approach to operational alignment, infrastructure investment, and enhancement of client service at small and remote ports of entry • Remote traveller processing pilots begin April 2015 – Morses Pine, Quebec – Piney, Manitoba 7 Integrated Cargo Security Strategy (ICSS) • ICSS aims to identify and resolve security concerns as early as possible in the supply chain or at the perimeter. • Phase I: Development of the ICSS by June 30, 2012 • Phase II: Launch of the ICSS pilots – – – – – Prince Rupert (Marine to Rail) Montreal (Marine to Highway) CBSA-TC Pre-Load Air Cargo Targeting Future Newark (Marine to Highway-US/CAN) Tamper Evident Technology 8 Trusted Trader Programs • Common framework for Trusted Trader programs – Working towards harmonizing Canada’s Partners in Protection and the United States’ Customs-Trade Partnerships Against Terrorism program • Free and Secure Trade (FAST) benefits were extended at the Sarnia, Ontario border crossing to members of these two programs. – An assessment of the pilot results is currently underway 9 NEXUS • NEXUS program enhancements – mobile enrolments – streamlining membership renewal process • Promoting increase in NEXUS membership • More Lanes – Additional lane at Peace Bridge, March 2013 – Additional lane at Pacific Highway, February 2013 – Additional lane at Queenston-Lewiston Bridge, May 2013 10 Single Window • The CBSA, along with nine other federal departments and agencies are implementing Single Window Initiative (SWI) to improve the delivery of border processing services • By December 2013, data requirements of four participating government departments will be converted to electronic form the public • By December 2014, a “single window” will be created through which importers can submit all the information requirements they currently send to various government departments and agencies 11 Contact information Questions? Please contact: Jay LaFrance Manager Canada-US Relations [email protected] 12