Access to Information and Privacy
Information about Programs and Information Holdings (formerly Info Source)
Canada Border Services Agency

Table of contents

General Information

Introduction

All government institutions subject to the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act publish an inventory of their information holdings as well as relevant details about personal information under their control. The following can assist you in making an access to information or personal information request, or in exercising your privacy rights:

Some programs and activities, such as human resources and financial management, are common to most government institutions. These are known as internal services and they involve the following types of information:

Background

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) was created on December 12, 2003. Its creation brought together the Customs function of the former Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (CCRA), the Enforcement function of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), and the Import Inspection at Ports of Entry function of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

On November 3, 2005, the Canada Border Services Agency Act, an Act to establish the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) (Bill C-26), received Royal Assent. This Act defines the Canada Border Services Agency's (CBSA) mandate, powers and authorities.

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) reports to Parliament as part of the Public Safety Portfolio.

Responsibilities

Read about the Canada Border Services Agency's (CBSA) mandate, its program responsibilities and its major policies.

Institutional Functions, Programs and Activities

Risk Assessment

The Risk Assessment Program "pushes the border out" by seeking to identify high-risk people, goods and conveyances as early as possible in the travel and trade continuum to prevent inadmissible people and goods from entering Canada.  This benefits the travelling public and the trade community by enabling the Agency to focus its examination and interdiction activities on high-risk people and goods, thereby facilitating the entry of low-risk travellers and goods.  The Agency uses a variety of threat and risk assessment methodologies, intelligence and supporting technologies to identify potential risks to the security and safety of people and goods.

Intelligence

The Intelligence Program collects, analyzes and distributes actionable intelligence regarding people, goods, shipments or conveyances bound for or leaving Canada to help the CBSA and other law enforcement partners identify people, goods, shipments or conveyances that may be inadmissible or pose a threat to the security of Canada.  CBSA officers located within Canada, at ports of embarkation or at posts abroad assess information collected from a wide range of sources.  In addition, the CBSA provides timely, accurate, strategic, operational and tactical intelligence advice to government authorities, like-minded counterpart nations and stakeholders related to threats to national security, including information on terrorism, weapons proliferation, war crimes, organized crime, smuggling, immigration fraud and irregular migration, fraudulent documentation and border enforcement.  Intelligence products such as lookouts, alerts, scientific reports and threat and risk assessments inform, support and enhance the Agency's screening and targeting capabilities and other CBSA programs (such as Admissibility Determination, Criminal Investigations and Immigration Enforcement).  A lookout is reliable, accurate and actionable intelligence on actual or suspected infractions or criminal activities that may result in the interception of inadmissible people.  A lookout takes the form of an electronic file record.  A lookout "hit" will "flag" or identify particular individuals, including corporations, and specific goods, conveyances or shipments.  A lookout "hit" requires a mandatory referral to a secondary examination.

CBSA Programs/Operations Systems Development – Class of Records

Integrated Customs Enforcement System (I.C.E.S.) – Personal Information Bank

Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Detection (CBRN) Project – Class of Records

Intelligence Program – Class of Records

Intelligence Program – Personal Information Bank

Federal Tobacco Control Strategy (FTCS) – Class of Records

Partners in Protection (PIP) Program – Class of Records

Partners in Protection Program (PIP) – Personal Information Bank

Precursor Chemical Diversion Program – Class of Records

National Integrated Interagency Information Program (N-III) – Class of Records

Integrated Threat Assessment Centre (ITAC) Initiative – Class of Records

Canadian Goods Abroad Program (CGAP) – Class of Records

Harmonized Risk Scoring and Advance Trade Data (HRS-ATD) – Class of Records

Targeting

The Targeting Program identifies people and goods bound for Canada that may pose a threat to the security and safety of the country. The CBSA uses a number of automated advance information sources from carriers and importers to identify people, goods and conveyances that may pose a threat to Canada. Advance Passenger Information and Advance Commercial Information provide the CBSA with electronic pre-arrival information on people and goods that can be used to perform risk assessments in advance of their arrival in Canada. Known threats are identified when there is a match against an enforcement database entry. People and goods that are identified as posing a threat to Canada are referred for verification and examination upon their arrival at a port of entry.

Joint Container In Transit Targeting Initiative (JTI) – Class of Records

National Anti-Drug Strategy – Class of Records

Food, Plant and Animal (FPA) Program – Class of Records

Food, Plant and Animal (FPA) Program – Personal Information Bank

Our Missing Children Program – Class of Records

Container Security Initiative – Class of Records

Air Examination Program – Class of Records

Traveller Processing – Class of Records

Traveller Processing – Personal Information Bank

Entry / Exit traveller processing

Marine Container Examination Program – Class of Records

Rail Contraband Examination Program – Class of Records

Air Examination Program – Class of Records

Customs Seizure Records – Personal Information Bank

Air Cargo Security Initiative – Class of Records

CBSA Programs/Operations Systems Development – Class of Record

Integrated Customs Enforcement System (I.C.E.S.) – Personal Information Bank

Primary Automated Lookout System - Airport – Personal Information Bank

Ferry and/or Tour Boat Program – Class of Records

Cruise Ship Program – Class of Records

Harmonized Risk Scoring and Advance Trade Data (HRS-ATD) – Class of Record

Advance Commercial Information (ACI) Program – Class of Records

Interdepartmental and Intergovernmental Relations Program – Class of Records

Traveller Declaration Cards – Personal Information Bank

Delayed Baggage Report – Personal Information Bank

Targeting – Commercial – Class of Records

Bay Plan Reporting Initiative – Class of Records

Strategic Export Control Program – Class of Records

Investments to Combat the Criminal Use of Firearms Initiative – Class of Records

Overt Audio-Video Surveillance – Class of Records

Overt Audio-Video Surveillance – Personal Information Bank

Security Screening

The Security Screening Program is responsible for the security screening of foreign nationals who have been referred to the CBSA by an Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) visa officer abroad or in Canada, who are seeking to come to Canada as a permanent resident, temporary resident (e.g. visitor) or refugee, or are already in Canada and seeking to remain as a temporary or permanent resident.

The CBSA is responsible for ensuring that there are no security concerns related to the individual seeking entry to Canada (e.g. counter terrorism, counter espionage, war crimes, crimes against humanity and organized crime) and, based on a thorough screening exercise (including the review of information and intelligence from a wide variety of internal and external sources), makes a recommendation to IRCC on the admissibility of the individual. This program is also responsible for determining the admissibility of senior diplomats being posted to Ottawa to ensure that they meet the admissibility requirements of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

CBSA Programs/Operations Systems Development – Class of Record

Integrated Customs Enforcement System (I.C.E.S.) – Personal Information Bank

Secure Tracking System – Personal Information Bank

Organized Crime Program – Class of Records

Organized Crime Data Bank (OCSS) – Personal Information Bank

Cross-Border Currency Reporting (CBCR) Program – Class of Records

Canada's War Crimes Program – Class of Records

Fugitive Information Bank – Personal Information Bank

Counter Terrorism Program – Class of Records

Air Examination Program

Traveller Processing – Class of Record

Traveller Processing – Personal Information Bank

Marine Container Examination Program

Rail Contraband Examination Program

Customs Seizure Records

Secure and Trusted Partnerships

Through the Secure and Trusted Partnerships program, the CBSA works closely with clients, other government departments and international border management partners to enhance trade chain and traveller security while providing pre-approved, low-risk travellers and traders with streamlined and efficient border processes. The CBSA develops and administers programs and cooperative agreements with its partners to ensure alignment with international standards (e.g. World Customs Organization SAFE Framework of Standards) and promote best practices in global border management. By increasing membership in trusted traveller and trader programs, the CBSA is able to improve its capacity to mitigate risk in advance and focus examination efforts on identifying travellers and traders of unknown or higher risk.

International Events – Class of Records

International Events – Personal Information Bank

Health, Safety and Security Program – Class of Records

Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative (APGCI) – Class of Records

Document Integrity Program – Class of Records

Document Integrity Program – Personal Information Bank

CBSA Programs/Operations Systems Development – Class of Record

Integrated Customs Enforcement System (I.C.E.S.) – Personal Information Bank

Seized Documents (Web Passport) – Personal Information Bank

Travel and Identity Document System (TIDS) – Personal Information Bank

Trusted Traveller

The Trusted Traveller Programs are designed to simplify the border clearance process for pre-approved, low-risk travellers entering Canada. The CBSA offers two programs for travellers, NEXUS and CANPASS. These programs streamline (expedite and simplify) border clearance. NEXUS is a joint initiative with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection in the air, land and marine modes of transportation, while CANPASS is a Canadian suite of programs for clients entering Canada by plane, corporate and private aircrafts and private boats. Both programs are available to citizens or permanent residents of Canada and/or the United States and enable members to cross the border faster when travelling to Canada and, in the case of NEXUS, when traveling to the United States.

Applicants to the programs must pass various assessments (e.g. security checks, interviews and risk assessments) specific to the program before being granted membership. NEXUS and CANPASS Air members can use iris recognition technology for passage processing at designated airports, and NEXUS members can use Radio Frequency Identification technology for processing at designated highway ports of entry. Members of NEXUS or the CANPASS Private Boat, CANPASS Corporate Aircraft or CANPASS Private Aircraft programs entering Canada by private aircraft, corporate aircraft or private boat must report their arrival in advance and make their declarations to the CBSA Telephone Reporting Centre.

CANPASS Air Program – Class of Records

CANPASS Corporate and Private Aircraft Program – Class of Records

CANPASS Private Boats Program – Class of Records

CANPASS – Personal Information Bank

CANPASS Remote Area Border Crossing (RABC) Program – Class of Records

Remote Area Border Crossing (RABC) Permit Program – Personal Information Bank

NEXUS Program – Class of Records

NEXUS – Personal Information Bank

Canadian Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Business Travel Card Program – Class of Records

Enhanced Driver's Licence/Enhanced Identification Card (EDL/EIC) Program – Class of Records

Enhanced Driver's Licence (EDL) / Enhanced Identification Card (EIC) Program – Personal Information Bank

Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC)'s Secure Certificate of Indian Status (SCIS) Program – Class of Records

Secure Certificate of Indian Status (Border Crossing Format) – Personal Information Bank

Transit Without Visa Program – Class of Records

Transit without Visa (TWOV) and China Transit (CT) Programs – Personal Information Bank

Trusted Trader

The Trusted Trader Program simplifies many of the border requirements for pre-approved, low-risk participants so that shipments can be processed more quickly and efficiently at the border. Importers approved under the Customs Self Assessment (CSA) benefit from a streamlined accounting and payment process as well as an expedited clearance option for qualified goods. Members of the Partners in Protection (PIP) program benefit from enhanced supply chain security as well as lowered examination rates. In addition, members of these Trusted Trader programs have the option of utilizing the Free and Secure Trade (FAST) lanes to transport eligible imported goods into Canada. FAST is a joint initiative between the CBSA and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

To become a member of the Trusted Trader programs, applicants must undergo an in-depth risk assessment. Once granted membership, CSA importers can use their own business systems and processes to forward trade data to the CBSA and remit payment of duties and taxes through their own financial institutions. In addition, CSA importers can also apply for trade compliance benefits which allow approved importers the flexibility to completely self-assess and audit their revenue reporting and trade requirements.

eManifest – Class of Records

Partners in Compliance (PIC) Initiative – Class of Records

Commercial Driver Registration Program (CDRP) – Class of Records

Free and Secure Trade (FAST) Program – Class of Records

Admissibility Determination

Through the Admissibility Determination program, the CBSA develops, maintains and administers the policies, regulations, procedures and partnerships that enable border services officers to intercept people and goods that are inadmissible to Canada and to process legitimate people and goods seeking entry into Canada within established service standards. In addition, the Agency develops, maintains and administers the policies, regulations, procedures and partnerships to control the export of goods from Canada.

In the traveller stream, border services officers question people upon arrival to determine if they and their personal goods meet the requirements of applicable legislation and regulations to enter Canada. Border services officers will then make a decision to grant entry or refer a person for further processing (e.g. payment of duties and taxes, issuance of a document), and/or for a physical examination.

In the commercial stream, carriers and importers are required to provide information to the CBSA at or prior to arrival in Canada. Border services officers review the status of pre-arrival decisions and/or the provided accompanying documentation to determine whether the goods meet the requirements of applicable legislation and regulations to enter Canada. Based on this determination, a border services officer may refer the goods for further processing, examination and/or scientific/engineering analysis. Upon further examination goods may be seized or penalties imposed.

With some exceptions, stemming from the policies and legislative requirements of some of our partner departments and agencies, all goods being exported from Canada must be reported "in writing" to the CBSA.

Carrier and Cargo Program – Class of Records

Carrier Code Program – Class of Records

Carrier and Cargo Program – Personal Information Bank

Special Services Program – Class of Records

Overt Audio-Video Surveillance – Class of Records

Overt Audio Video Surveillance – Personal Information Bank

Customs Controlled Areas (CCA) – Class of Records

Customs Controlled Areas (CCA) – Personal Information Bank

Casual Refund Program – Class of Records

Casual Refund Program – Personal Information Bank

Air Examination Program

Marine Container Examination Program

Rail Contraband Examination Program

Traveller Processing – Class of Record

Traveller Processing – Personal Information Bank

Entry / Exit Traveller Processing

Customs Seizure Records

Account Security Program – Class of Records

Post-Release Verification Program – Class of Records

Entry, Accounting and Adjustment Program – Class of Records

Brokers Licensing Program – Class of Records

Customs Brokers - Professional and Qualified Status – Personal Information Bank

Export Program – Class of Records

Export Program – Personal Information Bank

Detection Technology Program – Class of Records

Prohibited Importations – Class of Records

Integrated Border Enforcement Teams (IBETS) Initiative – Class of Records

Border Wait Times (BWT) – Class of Records

Removals Program – Class of Records

Removals Program – Personal Information Bank

Environment and Trade Program – Class of Records

CBSA Programs/Operations Systems Development – Class of Record

Integrated Customs Enforcement System (I.C.E.S.) – Personal Information Bank

Enforcement Data System – Personal Information Bank

Enforcement Information Index System (EIIS) – Personal Information Bank

Advance Passenger Information/Passenger Name Record (API/PNR) Program – Class of Records

Advance Passenger Information / Passenger Name Record Program (API/PNR) – Personal Information Bank

Highway Mode 

The Highway Program identifies and intercepts people and goods that are inadmissible to Canada seeking entry at 120 designated land ports of entry while ensuring that legitimate people and goods are processed within established service standards. Border services officers conduct interviews of persons and drivers of commercial carriers and then make a decision to allow the entry of a person or shipment or refer them for further processing (e.g. payment of duties and taxes, issuance of a document) and/or examination (e.g. physical search of a vehicle, further investigation of admissibility).

In the commercial stream, importers are required to account for their goods, and carriers and exporters are required to report their goods.

Examinations may be performed with the use of specialized tools (e.g. gamma ray imaging Vehicle and Cargo Inspection System, ion scanners and detector dogs) and may include a full or partial offload of the goods to detect the presence of prohibited or restricted goods (e.g. narcotics or weapons). People and/or goods found to be in violation of the applicable legislation and/or regulations may be subject to a monetary penalty, seizure or denied entry to Canada.

Single Window Initiative – Class of Records

Sufferance Warehouse Program – Class of Records

Air Mode

The Air Program identifies and intercepts people and goods that are inadmissible to Canada seeking entry at designated airports while ensuring that legitimate people and goods are processed within established service standards.

Upon arrival, border services officers conduct interviews of persons seeking entry into Canada, aided by electronic pre-arrival risk-assessment information submitted by the airlines. CBSA officers make a decision to admit the person or refer them for further processing (e.g. payment of duties and taxes, issuance of a document) or examination.

For private and corporate aircraft and general aviation traffic reporting through the Telephone Reporting Centre, various checks are conducted by means of the telephone reporting system. Border services officers make a decision to admit people or refer them for further processing or examination.

In the commercial stream, importers are required to account for their goods, and carriers and exporters are required to report their goods. More specifically, air carriers are required to submit electronic pre-arrival information related to their goods for import. Those goods meeting the requirements of border-related legislation are released at the airport or at a designated sufferance warehouse, while those goods identified as potentially being inadmissible are held for an examination.

To assist border services officers in their examinations, detection tools such as detector dogs and ION scanners may be utilized. People and goods found to be in violation of the applicable legislation and/or regulations may be subject to a monetary penalty, seizure or denied entry to Canada.

Temporary Resident Biometrics Project (TRBP) – Class of Records

Five Country Conference (FCC) Biometric Matching and Information Sharing Initiative – Class of Records

Air Cargo Security Initiative

CBSA Programs/Operations Systems Development – Class of Record

Integrated Customs Enforcement System (I.C.E.S.) – Personal Information Bank

Primary Automated Lookout System - Airport

Rail Mode

The Rail Program identifies and intercepts people and goods that are inadmissible to Canada seeking entry at a rail port of entry or rail yard while ensuring that legitimate people and goods are processed within established service standards.

Rail operators are required to report train, passengers and/or cargo information to the CBSA at or prior to arrival to Canada. Border services officers may conduct onboard interviews of travellers seeking entry into Canada upon arrival at the border to determine their admissibility or whether further processing (e.g. payment of duties and taxes, issuance of a document) or examination (e.g. physical search of baggage, further investigation of admissibility) is required.

In the commercial stream, border services officers review the electronic information submitted by the rail carrier and the importer/exporter, and make a decision to release the cargo or refer it for an examination at the rail yard.

WINFALL Program – Class of Records

Marine Mode

The Marine Program identifies and intercepts people and goods that are inadmissible to Canada seeking entry at a marine port of entry, while ensuring that legitimate people and goods are processed within established service standards.

Prior to arrival in the traveller stream, border services officers receive information regarding the passengers and crew aboard cruise ships, ferries, tour boats, private small vessels in the Trusted Traveller Program and commercial vessels. At large Cruise Ship offices and certain ferry terminals, passengers are processed using IPIL (Integrated Primary Inspection Line). For those private vessels reporting through the Telephone Reporting Centre, various checks are conducted by means of the telephone reporting system. Border services officers make a decision to admit people or refer them for further processing or examination.

In the commercial stream, importers are required to account for their goods. Carriers and exporters are required to report their goods: marine carriers are required to submit advance electronic information for imports and have the option for exports. To assist border services officers in their examinations, detection tools such as Remote Operated Vehicles and Vehicle and Cargo Inspection System are used. One hundred percent of marine containers in major ports are scanned for the presence of radiological material using radiation portals. People and goods that are found to be in violation of the applicable legislation and/or regulations may be subject to enforcement action which may include a monetary penalty, seizure, or denied entry to Canada. 

Ferry and/or Tour Boat Program

Bay Plan Reporting Initiative

Postal

The Postal Program identifies and intercepts international mail items valued less than CAD$2,500 that are inadmissible to Canada while ensuring that legitimate mail items are processed within established service standard and applicable duties and taxes are assessed and collected. Mail items valued at CAD$2,500 or higher are processed in the regular commercial import stream.

The Postal Program operates at three CBSA Mail Centres in Canada. Border services officers' conduct an inspection of international mail items to determine whether further processing (e.g. assessment and payment of duties and/or taxes) and/or a physical examination is required. Mail items that do not require CBSA intervention are released to Canada Post for delivery.

To assist border services officers in their examinations, detection tools such as X-ray, and detector dogs may be used. Mail items found to be in violation of the applicable legislation and/or regulations may be seized on behalf of other government departments. The importer is advised of their appeal rights, and Canada Post is advised that the item has been taken from the mail stream. All other items that are deemed admissible, after examination, are released to Canada Post for delivery.

Postal Program – Class of Records

Mail Seizure Database – Personal Information Bank

Courier Low-Value Shipment

The Courier Low-Value Shipment (LVS) Program identifies and intercepts courier importations that are inadmissible to Canada. The importations, which are conducted by approved courier participants, enter at designated sufferance warehouses. This provides a streamlined reporting, release and accounting process for most courier importations valued at less than CAD$2,500. Mail items valued at CAD$2,500 or higher are removed from the Program and processed in the regular commercial process.

To participate in the Courier LVS Program, a courier company must be pre-approved by the CBSA. Prior to the arrival of a courier shipment, the CBSA reviews the electronic information submitted by the courier to determine whether the goods meet the requirements of the Program and applicable legislation and/or if a physical examination is required. If a physical examination is required, the item is presented to a border services officer upon arrival. To assist border services officers in their examinations, detection tools such as targets and detector dogs may be used. Goods found to be in violation of the applicable legislation and/or regulations may be subject to a monetary penalty or seizure.

Courier Low Value Shipment (LVS) Program – Class of Records

Criminal Investigations

Under the Criminal Investigations program, the CBSA protects the integrity of border-related legislation and contributes to public safety and Canada's economic security by investigating and pursuing the prosecution of travellers, importers, exporters and/or other persons who commit criminal offences in contravention of Canada's border-related legislation.

CBSA investigators review potential border legislation violations and gather evidence using a variety of investigative techniques, including search warrants, production orders and digital forensic analysis. These violations include criminal offences under the Customs Act, the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, various food, plant and animal legislation, and other border-related legislation. In conjunction with the Public Prosecution Service of Canada, the CBSA pursues the prosecution of individuals or business entities who violate Canada's border-related legislation.

Criminal Investigations Program – Class of Records

Criminal Investigations Program – Personal Information Bank

CBSA Programs/Operations Systems Development – Class of Record

Integrated Customs Enforcement System (I.C.E.S.) – Personal Information Bank

Export of Stolen Vehicles Initiatives – Class of Records

Immigration Enforcement

The Immigration Enforcement Program determines whether foreign nationals and permanent residents who are or may be inadmissible to Canada are identified and investigated, detained, monitored and/or removed from Canada.

Foreign nationals and permanent residents of Canada believed to be inadmissible are investigated and may have a report written against them by a CBSA inland enforcement officer. Depending on the type of inadmissibility, the merits of the report are reviewed by either a Minister's Delegate or an independent decision maker at the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) where a CBSA hearings officer represents the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness. Subsequent to this review, a removal order may be issued against the foreign national or permanent resident in question. Removal orders issued against refugee claimants are conditional and do not come into force until the claim against the removal order is abandoned, withdrawn or denied by the IRB.

Overt Audio-Video Surveillance – Class of Records

Overt Audio Video Surveillance – Personal Information Bank

Immigration Investigations

The Immigration Investigations Program investigates, reports and arrests foreign nationals and permanent residents already in Canada who are or may be inadmissible to Canada as defined by the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

Investigation techniques can include data analysis of information collected regarding an individual's immigration application, physical surveillance to locate fugitive inadmissible persons and field searches of residences and belongings for evidence. Depending on the type of inadmissibility and the status of the person in question, inadmissibility reports are reviewed by either a Minister's Delegate or the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada. When a person fails to appear for an immigration proceeding such as an examination, admissibility hearing or removal interview, a warrant for their arrest may be issued. Warrants may also be issued against a foreign national or permanent resident where a CBSA inland enforcement officer has reasonable grounds to believe that they are inadmissible to Canada.

Five Country Conference (FCC) Biometric Matching and Information Sharing Initiative

Immigration Investigations Program – Class of Records

Immigration Investigations Program – Personal Information Bank

CBSA Programs/Operations Systems Development – Class of Record

Integrated Customs Enforcement System (I.C.E.S.) – Personal Information Bank

Clients Interviewed by an Officer (DOW) – Personal Information Bank

Immigration Mail and Courier Tracking System (IMPACT) – Personal Information Bank

The File and Document Cross Reference Database (XREF) – Personal Information Bank

Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Initiative – Class of Records

Temporary Foreign Worker Program – Class of Records

Temporary Foreign Worker Program – Personal Information Bank

Detentions

The Detentions Program detains and/or monitors the conditions of release of foreign nationals or permanent residents where there are reasonable grounds to believe the individual is inadmissible to Canada and where the individual is a danger to the public, poses a flight risk or where their identity is not established. Foreign nationals and permanent residents may also be detained upon entry into Canada for an examination or where the individual is suspected of being inadmissible for security reasons. They are entitled to an Immigration and Refugee Board hearing after being detained for 48 hours, 7 days and 30 days. The CBSA has three immigration holding centres in Canada located at Vancouver, Toronto and Montréal.

CBSA Programs/Operations Systems Development – Class of Record

Integrated Customs Enforcement System (I.C.E.S.) – Personal Information Bank

Immigration Detainees Management System (IDMS) – Personal Information Bank

Immigration Hearings

The Immigration Hearings Program ensures that the Government of Canada's interests are represented at immigration proceedings before the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) which determines the immigration and detention status of foreign nationals and permanent residents already in Canada, in accordance with the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. CBSA hearings officers are responsible for representing the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness and/or the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship at immigration proceedings before the IRB. This function ensures that foreign nationals and permanent residents who are inadmissible to Canada are denied status, and removal orders are issued where appropriate.

Hearings and Detentions Program – Class of Records

Hearings and Detentions Program – Personal Information Bank

Alternatives to Detention Program – Personal Information Bank

Removals

The Removals Program ensures that foreign nationals and permanent residents with an enforceable removal order are removed from Canada. Once a person is removal-ready, an interview is conducted to ensure that a travel document is available and that a pre-removal risk assessment is offered by a CBSA inland enforcement officer. Where a valid travel document is not available, CBSA inland enforcement officers liaise with foreign embassies to secure the required travel documents. The CBSA may have to make further arrangements for removal, which could include arranging for travel (e.g. purchasing an airline ticket or chartering a plane for high-risk individuals in exceptional cases), providing escorts (e.g. to respond to airline and transit country requirements), and liaising with CBSA staff abroad (migration integrity officers) to ensure smooth passage from Canada to the final destination.

Security Certificate Program – Class of Records

Security Certificate Program – Personal Information Bank

Recourse

The Recourse program provides the business community and individuals with an accessible mechanism to seek an impartial review of service-related complaints, program decisions and enforcement actions taken by the CBSA. This program ensures that their decisions are fair, transparent and accurately reflect the Agency's policies and the Acts administered by the CBSA.

Individuals can complete a written submission if they disagree with an enforcement action or a program decision made by the CBSA or wish to submit a complaint or compliment about services. Clients are provided with a timely acknowledgement of their correspondence, before CBSA officials conduct a thorough review, taking into consideration the legislation administered by the Agency, CBSA policies, the client's point of view and, where necessary, technical opinions from CBSA experts or legal advice from the Department of Justice. Individuals who are not satisfied with the CBSA's review can appeal to the appropriate court, tribunal or external review body.

The Recourse Program also facilitates the review of external complaints of discrimination filed with the Canadian Human Rights Commission and assists the Department of Justice representing the Agency on appeals to the Federal Court, various tribunals and other external bodies.

Enforcement Appeals – Class of Records

Trade Appeals – Class of Records

Recourse Directorate Records – Personal Information Bank

Overt Audio-Video Surveillance – Personal Information Bank

Overt Audio Video Surveillance – Personal Information Bank

Canadian Human Rights Complaints – Class of Records

Enhanced Feedback Mechanism – Class of Records

Complaints – Personal Information Bank

Revenue and Trade Management

The Revenue and Trade Management Program administers international and regional trade agreements and domestic legislation and regulations governing trade in commercial goods. The Program ensures that appropriate trade data is collected and that the duties and taxes owed to the Government of Canada are remitted in accordance with Canadian trade laws and import requirements.  Commercial importers must accurately report on their goods at the time of importation, and remit the required payment, or self-correct their entries, and pay any additional amounts owing, when they have reason to believe that trade-related reporting errors have occurred.

Anti-Dumping and Countervailing

The Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Program is responsible for the administration of the Special Import Measures Act (SIMA). Its role is to provide assistance to Canadian producers who face unfair foreign competition from dumped or subsidized goods in the Canadian marketplace. SIMA provides measures of redress against such goods when they have caused injury to the Canadian industry, and is in keeping with Canada's international obligations as a signatory to the World Trade Organization. Protecting Canadian industry against the injury from dumped or subsidized imports requires a two-track approach, with the CBSA responsible for determining whether imports are being dumped or subsidized, and the Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) making the decision of whether these imports have caused injury to Canadian production.

Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duty (ADCP) Program

Trade Policy

The Trade Policy Program is responsible for interpreting the legislation and regulations that govern the tariff classification, origin and value of imported goods, and the related assessment of duties and taxes, so as to ensure that persons engaged in the importation of goods into Canada fully understand all of the trade-related requirements in order to promote self-compliance.  The Program also administers Canada's trade incentive initiatives (e.g. duties deferral, customs warehouses, remissions, and drawbacks) which assist Canadian businesses in remaining competitive in international markets.  Further, the Program is responsible for the negotiation of the origin procedures that are included in all of Canada's free trade agreements, which serve to strengthen international trade rules and open new markets for Canadians.  Finally, the Program is responsible for representing the views of Canadians businesses in international trade fora, such as the World Customs Organization and the World Trade Organization, in order to ensure a fair and accessible global trading environment.

Trade Compliance

The Trade Compliance Program works to ensure that Canadian importers accurately account for the commercial goods that they bring into Canada and pay all of the duties and taxes owing. Compliance activities include random verifications, selected using a statistical model, that are used to measure the rate of compliance by product type and/or industry. The results also provide valuable information that often lead to more focused, risk based verification in instances where non-compliance is suspected. These trade compliance activities are supported by robust monitoring and administrative penalty programs that are aimed at maintaining a level playing field for all Canadian importers by making certain that the rules apply equally to everyone and that the appropriate duties and taxes are paid in full.

Accounts Receivable Ledger – Class of Record

Accounts Receivable Ledger – Personal Information Bank

Intellectual Property Right Project – Class of Records

Duty Free Shops Program – Class of Records

Duty Free Shop Applicants (Land Border) – Personal Information Bank

Customs Bonded Warehouses (CBW) Program – Class of Records

Customs Bonded Warehouses (CBW) Program – Personal Information Bank

Tariff Classification Program – Class of Records

Systems Development - Admissibility Branch – Class of Records

Travellers Entry Processing System (TEPS) / Travellers National Database System (TRANDS) – Personal Information Bank

Unpaid Accounts – Personal Information Bank

Valuation Program – Class of Records

Origin Program – Class of Records

Administrative Monetary Penalty System (AMPS) Program – Class of Records

Administrative Monetary Penalty System Program – Personal Information Bank

Customs Self-Assessment (CSA) Program – Class of Records

Internal services

Internal services are groups of related activities and resources that are administered to support the needs of programs and other corporate obligations of an organization. Internal services include only those activities and resources that apply across an organization, and not those provided to a specific program. The groups of activities are Management and Oversight Services, Communications Services, Legal Services, Human Resources Management Services, Financial Management Services, Information Management Services, Information Technology Services, Real Property Services, Materiel Services, and Acquisition Services.

Acquisition services

Acquisition services involve activities undertaken to acquire a good or service to fulfill a properly completed request (including a complete and accurate definition of requirements and certification that funds are available) until entering into or amending a contract.

Communications services

Communications services involve activities undertaken to ensure that Government of Canada communications are effectively managed, well coordinated and responsive to the diverse information needs of the public. The communications management function ensures that the public—internal or external—receives government information, and that the views and concerns of the public are taken into account in the planning, management and evaluation of policies, programs, services and initiatives.

Financial management services

Financial management services involve activities undertaken to ensure the prudent use of public resources, including planning, budgeting, accounting, reporting, control and oversight, analysis, decision support and advice, and financial systems.

Human resources management services

Human resources management services involve activities undertaken for determining strategic direction, allocating resources among services and processes, as well as activities relating to analyzing exposure to risk and determining appropriate countermeasures. They ensure that the service operations and programs of the federal government comply with applicable laws, regulations, policies and plans.

Information management services

Information management services involve activities undertaken to achieve efficient and effective information management to support program and service delivery; foster informed decision making; facilitate accountability, transparency and collaboration; and preserve and ensure access to information and records for the benefit of present and future generations.

Information technology services

Information technology services involve activities undertaken to achieve efficient and effective use of information technology to support government priorities and program delivery, to increase productivity, and to enhance services to the public.

Legal services

Legal services involve activities undertaken to enable government departments and agencies to pursue policy, program and service delivery priorities and objectives within a legally sound framework.

Management and oversight services

Management and oversight services involve activities undertaken for determining strategic direction and allocating resources among services and processes, as well as those activities related to analyzing exposure to risk and determining appropriate countermeasures. They ensure that the service operations and programs of the federal government comply with applicable laws, regulations, policies or plans.

Materiel services

Materiel services involve activities undertaken to ensure that materiel can be managed by departments in a sustainable and financially responsible manner that supports the cost-effective and efficient delivery of government programs.

Real property services

Real property services involve activities undertaken to ensure that real property is managed in a sustainable and financially responsible manner, throughout its life cycle, to support the cost-effective and efficient delivery of government programs.

Travel and other administrative services

Travel and other administrative services include Government of Canada travel services, as well as those other internal services that do not smoothly fit with any of the internal services categories.

Manuals

Additional Information

The Government of Canada encourages the release of information through informal requests. You may wish to consult Canada Border Services Agency's completed Access to Information (ATI) summaries and open data. To obtain information informally, an informal request may be submitted to the Canada Border Services Agency.

Please consult the instructions for information on formal access procedures under the provisions of the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act. To make a formal request:

Mail your letter or Access to Information Request Form (Access to Information Act) or Personal Information Request Form (Privacy Act), along with any necessary documents (such as consent or the $5.00 application fee for a request under the Access to Information Act) to the following address:

Dan Proulx
Access to Information and Privacy Coordinator
333 North River Road
14th Floor, Tower A
Vanier, Ontario
K1A 0L8

Telephone: 343-291-7021
Facsimile: 343-291-7012
ATIP-AIPRP@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca 

Please note: Each request made to the Canada Border Services Agency under the Access to Information Act must be accompanied by an application fee of $5.00, cheque or money order made payable to the Receiver General for Canada.

For additional information about the programs and activities of the Canada Border Services Agency, please contact:

Canada Border Services Agency
191 Laurier Avenue West
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0L8

Telephone: 1-800-461-9999
Enquiries: Border Information Service 1-800-461-9999
Outside Canada 1 -204-983-3500 or 1-506-636-5064 (long distance charges may apply)
Access to Information / Privacy: 343-291-7012

Reading Room

In accordance with the Access to Information Act, an area on the premises of this institution has been designated as a public reading room. The address is:

National Capital Region
333 North River Road
14th Floor, Tower A
Vanier, Ontario
K1A 0L8

Telephone: 343-291-7012

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