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Canada Border Services Agency
2025 to 2026 Departmental Plan

From the Minister

The Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, P.C., M.P., Minister of Public Safety
The Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Public Safety

On behalf of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), I am pleased to present to Parliament our Departmental Plan for the to fiscal year.

The CBSA has a mandate to provide integrated border services that support shared North American security and public safety priorities, while facilitating the free flow of legitimate trade and travel. The Agency is committed to protecting the safety and security of all individuals in Canada, as well as the stability and prosperity of our economy. To that end, the Agency works closely with domestic law enforcement partners, including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, other Canadian police agencies, and provincial, territorial and Indigenous governments, as well as United States counterparts such as Customs and Border Protection, Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the United States Coast Guard.

In support of the Government's commitment to a secure and well-regulated border system, the  Fall Economic Statement provides a proposed $1.3 billion comprehensive border security package, which includes a proposed $355.4 million for the CBSA to support the implementation of Canada's Border Plan. The Border Plan is built around five pillars: detecting and disrupting the fentanyl trade; introducing significant new tools for law enforcement; improving operational coordination; expanding information sharing; and minimizing unnecessary border volumes. In the year ahead, the CBSA will support the delivery of the Border Plan through actions like stopping firearms and illicit drugs, including fentanyl and precursor chemicals, from entering Canada; combatting human trafficking and trade-based money laundering; and ensuring efficient security screening of individuals seeking to immigrate to Canada.

To support the Federal Action Plan on Combatting Auto Theft, the CBSA has expanded examination capabilities and detection technology tools, while also enhancing intelligence sharing with law enforcement partners to help identify transnational organized crime groups and their members involved in stolen vehicle exports. The  Fall Economic Statement confirmed the Government's intent to introduce legislative amendments to the Customs Act to grant new authorities to the CBSA for the inspection of goods destined for export, thereby obligating warehouse operators and shippers to provide adequate accommodations for CBSA officers to carry out their mandate.

At the same time, the CBSA is investing in a secure, safe, modern and efficient travel experience for Canadians and visitors crossing our borders, including improvements to infrastructure and processes at Canada's ports of entry over the coming years. In the commercial stream, the Agency is enhancing operations to manage large volumes of cross-border traffic and to keep pace with the continual rise in e-commerce imports. This includes preparations for the opening in of a new port of entry as part of the Gordie Howe International Bridge connecting Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, Michigan, a vital trade link between Canada and the United States. The Agency is also continually improving the CBSA Assessment and Revenue Management (CARM) system following its successful launch in as the official system of record for importers and other trade chain partners to assess and pay duties and taxes, which represents a major accomplishment for the Agency in modernizing the commercial importing process.

From an organizational perspective, the CBSA will continue to improve its management practices, including human resources, financial and information management, with a particular focus on procurement and contract management. The Agency is ensuring oversight of all contracting activities with a view to delivering value for money, while also reducing its reliance on external consultants. Additionally, following the Royal Assent of Bill C-20 in , which paves the way for the creation of an independent review body for the CBSA, the Agency is supporting efforts to establish the Public Complaints and Review Commission to strengthen law enforcement accountability, transparency and public trust.

I am honoured to serve as the Minister responsible for the CBSA and I have every confidence that the Agency will continue to serve Canadians well in the year ahead.

Plans to deliver on core responsibilities and internal services

Core responsibilities and internal services:

Core responsibility 1: Border management

In this section

Description

The CBSA assesses risk to identify threats, manages the free flow of admissible travellers and commercial goods into, through and out of Canada, and manages non-compliance.

Quality of life impacts

This core responsibility contributes to the ‘Good Governance' domain of the Quality of Life Framework for Canada, particularly the ‘Safety and Security' and ‘Justice and Human Rights' subdomains, by safeguarding Canada's borders and ensuring the fair and equal application of Canada's border-related laws and requirements.

Indicators, results and targets

This section presents details on the CBSA's indicators, the actual results from the three most recently reported fiscal years, and the targets and target dates approved in to for border management. Details are presented by departmental result.

Table 1: Indicators, results and targets for departmental result "The CBSA's intelligence, threat and risk assessment activities contribute to the identification, mitigation and neutralization of risks and threats to the safety, security and prosperity of Canadians and Canada"
Indicator to result to result to result Target Date to achieve
Percentage of air travellers targeted for examination that led to an intended result 21.8% 37% 38% At least 16%
Percentage of marine and air cargo targeted for examination that led to an intended result 0.58% 0.62% 0.7% At least 0.5%
Percentage of recommendations for admissibility provided/completed within relevant service standards N/A (introduced in to ) 46% 27% At least 80%
Table 2: Indicators, results and targets for departmental result "Admissible travellers are processed in an efficient manner"
Indicator to result to result to result Target Date to achieve
Percentage of time the CBSA is meeting the Highway Border Wait Time (BWT) Service Standard 97% 93.7% 96% At least 95%
Percentage of travellers using Primary Inspection Devices (PID) at PID-enabled airports 95.2% 94.7% 95% At least 95%
Actual availability of Primary Inspection Devices as a percentage of planned availability 99.7% 99.8% 99.7% At least 99%
Table 3: Indicators, results and targets for departmental result "Travellers and their goods are compliant with applicable legislation"
Indicator to result to result to result Target Date to achieve
Percentage of traveller immigration examinations that produced a result (enforcement or facilitation action) 68.4% 66.2% 72% At least 40%
Traveller goods selective examination resultant rate is ‘X’ times higher than the traveller goods random examination resultant rate 12.2 15.8 17.3 At least 10
Table 4: Indicators, results and targets for departmental result "Admissible commercial goods and conveyances are processed in an efficient manner"
Indicator to result to result to result Target Date to achieve
Percentage of time the CBSA met the commercial Highway Border Wait Time Service Standard 97.4% 97.8% 98.2% At least 90%
Percentage of eligible release decisions provided within established timeframes 69%table 4 note * 57%table 4 note * 99.1% At least 95%
Actual availability of Single Windows as a percentage of planned availability 99.7% 99.7% 99.4% At least 99%
Table 4 Notes
Table 4 Note *

It should be noted that the historical results for to  (69%) and to  (57%) were subject to a different reporting methodology and performance target, and are therefore not directly comparable to the result for to  (99.1%). If the current reporting methodology had been in place in those years, the result for to would have been 99.4% and the result for to would have been 99.2%, both of which would have met the current target of ‘At least 95%.'

Return to table 4 note * referrer
Table 5: Indicators, results and targets for departmental result "Traders are compliant with applicable legislation and requirements"
Indicator to result to result to result Target Date to achieve
Percentage of high-risk commercial goods targeted by the National Targeting Centre (NTC) that are examined at the border 91.7% 95.3% 98% At least 95%
Percentage of random commercial examinations that produced a result 0.19% 0.22% 0.14% At most 1%
Percentage of commercial examinations that produce a result related to non-compliance against a trader 1.76%table 5 note * 1.92%table 5 note * 1.5% At most 1.5%
Percentage of penalties applied against traders representing continued non-compliance 34.4%table 5 note ** 6.9% 4.5% At most 5%
Table 5 Notes
Table 5 Note *

It should be noted that the historical results for to  (1.76%) and to  (1.92%) were subject to a different reporting methodology and performance target, and are therefore not directly comparable to the result for to  (1.5%). If the current reporting methodology had been in place in those years, the result for to would have been 1.5% and the result for to would have been 1.5%, both of which would have met the current target of ‘At most 1.5%.’

Return to table 5 note * referrer

Table 5 Note **

It should be noted that the historical result for to  (34.4%) was subject to a different reporting methodology and performance target, and is therefore not directly comparable to the results for to  (6.9%) and to  (4.5%). If the current reporting methodology had been in place in to , the result would have been 3.5%, which would have met the current target of ‘At most 5%.’

Return to table 5 note ** referrer
Table 6: Indicators, results and targets for departmental result "Importers comply with revenue requirements"
Indicator to result to result to result Target Date to achieve
Percentage of importers not compliant with revenue requirements N/A (introduced in to ) 6% 10% At most 5%
Return on investment (ROI) for compliance activities related to revenue requirements 18:1 16:1 14:1 At least 15:1
Table 7: Indicators, results and targets for departmental result "Canadian producers are protected from unfairly dumped and subsidized imports"
Indicator to result to result to result Target Date to achieve
Percentage of imports potentially subject to anti-dumping or countervailing duties verified to ensure compliance N/A (introduced in 2022 to 2023) 72% 50% At least 80%
Table 8: Indicators, results and targets for departmental result "Trusted Traveller and Trader programs increase processing efficiency of low-risk, pre approved travellers and traders"
Indicator to result to result to result Target Date to achieve
Percentage of time the CBSA is meeting the NEXUS Highway BWT Service Standard 95.6% 94% 99% At least 95%
Percentage of kiosk processing time saving per trusted traveller passage at NEXUS air ports of entry 47% 51% 67% At least 40%
Percentage of active members who are compliant with program requirements and border legislation N/A (introduced in to ) 99.97% 99.98% At least 99.9%
Ratio of conventional traders and their goods that are examined at the border compared to Trusted Traders and their goods 6.1:1 3.7:1 4.3:1 At least 3.5:1
Percentage of trade by value of goods imported into Canada by participants in the CBSA's Trusted Trader programs 24% 30% 31% At least 25%
Table 9: Indicators, results and targets for departmental result "Travellers and the business community have access to timely redress mechanisms"
Indicator to result to result to result Target Date to achieve
Percentage of trade appeals received that are decided within established service standards 76% 70% 56% At least 70%
Percentage of enforcement appeals received that are decided within established service standards 74% 84% 88% At least 70%

Additional information on the detailed results and performance information for the CBSA's program inventory is available on GC InfoBase.

Plans to achieve results

The following section describes the planned results for border management in to .

The CBSA's intelligence, threat and risk assessment activities contribute to the identification, mitigation and neutralization of risks and threats to the safety, security and prosperity of Canadians and Canada

The CBSA is actively supporting Canada's Border Plan, including a key focus on detecting and disrupting the fentanyl trade, enhancing tools for law enforcement, improving operational coordination, and expanding information sharing with key partners. As described below, this includes a wide range of efforts to ensure a secure and well-regulated border system.

The CBSA is combatting the cross-border movement of illicit drugs and precursor chemicals, with a particular focus on synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, through an array of measures to intercept illegal substances at ports of entry. These include targeting and intelligence development, enhanced controls at ports of entry, and enforcement tools and technology for the safe examination of goods suspected to contain highly toxic substances. The Agency is also collaborating with partners, including law enforcement and international counterparts, by sharing intelligence and information to identify and interdict illicit shipments. Additionally, the Agency is pursuing efforts to strengthen its regulatory framework to enhance traveller screening capabilities in order to better identify and interdict illicit goods and criminal activities, which will increase its ability to combat serious transnational crime in conjunction with security partners.

To combat the illegal importation of firearms, the CBSA is implementing its Firearms Strategy and collaborating with partners, including law enforcement and United States counterparts, through its Cross-Border Firearms Task Force. The Agency's National Firearms Intelligence Desk and National Targeting Centre play a key role in sharing information with all regions and key partners in order to support firearm interdictions at ports of entry. In addition, the Agency is combatting gun and gang violence through enhancements to detection capabilities, including the expanded use of x-ray technology, as well as the continued operation of detector dog teams, specialized training, and increased availability of examination equipment.

To meet the Government of Canada's commitment under the Federal Action Plan on Combatting Auto Theft, the CBSA is collaborating with port authorities, rail carriers and law enforcement partners to expand export examination capabilities, while also testing and evaluating detection technology options. The Agency is increasing its ability to develop and use intelligence products to identify containers of interest for stolen vehicles, while also enhancing intelligence sharing with law enforcement partners to help identify transnational organized crime groups and their members involved in stolen vehicle exports.

To address the threat of African swine fever, the CBSA is working closely with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to prevent the importation of high-risk food, plant and animal products. These efforts include an ongoing public awareness campaign aimed at travellers and stakeholders in Canada and abroad, along with the deployment of detector dog teams specializing in the detection of food, plant and animal products.

In the immigration context, the CBSA is continuing efforts to enhance its Immigration National Security Screening Program in order to ensure comprehensive screening of visa applicants and asylum claimants, and strengthen the identification of inadmissible persons seeking entry into Canada. For example, the Agency is implementing inventory management strategies; establishing a special operations response team to centralize the processing of high-profile and complex files; and undertaking a systematic review of operating procedures to ensure prioritization of high-risk cases. The Agency is also implementing asylum processing efficiencies and developing an improved case management system.

In furtherance of the CBSA's ability to identify and prevent travel to Canada by persons who are in service of regimes that engage in terrorism, war crimes, genocide or other international human rights violations, the Agency has developed a multi-year workplan of countries to review through to for potential designation by the Minister of Public Safety under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. Designation renders the related senior officials as inadmissible and allows for them to be denied access to Canada. Most recently, in , the timeframe of the existing designation of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran was expanded to encompass individuals who had served the regime from to present.

The CBSA is employing intelligence and enforcement capabilities, with a focus on human trafficking and fraudulent immigration consultants, for the purposes of identifying vulnerable persons and leads for criminal investigations. In collaboration with federal partners, the Agency is continuing intelligence-led operational initiatives to identify and interdict national security threat actors, such as those suspected of engaging in espionage, who may be inadmissible to Canada pursuant to section 34 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

To protect the integrity of Canada's participation in international trade, the CBSA is continuing efforts to detect potential abuse of the customs process for the movement of illicit financial flows to and from Canada. The Agency works with domestic and international partners to identify instances of trade-based financial crime, including trade-based money laundering, and to refer them to the appropriate law enforcement entities.

Admissible travellers are processed in an efficient manner

Under its Traveller Modernization initiative, the CBSA is investing in a safe, modern and efficient travel experience for Canadians and visitors crossing our borders. The Agency is undertaking a series of significant improvements to infrastructure and processes at Canada's ports of entry, with a view to expanding the availability of digital technology and self-service tools that use biometric verification to expedite the movement of admissible travellers across the border, while supporting safety and security.

Traveller Modernization will broadly focus on improving the Digital Traveller Experience by providing a single digital platform where travellers can voluntarily submit customs and immigration information prior to arrival in Canada, as well as the Officer Experience by providing a comprehensive view of traveller information in a single system so that border services officers can process travellers more efficiently.

With legislative amendments already given Royal Assent, the CBSA is planning to introduce a suite of regulatory amendments that will establish the policy foundation for the integration of these new legislative provisions and associated new technologies to modernize border processing, while ensuring that nothing will compromise border security. Privacy is at the forefront of the Traveller Modernization initiative through the Agency's ongoing engagement with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner, along with work to amend legislation, regulations and policies to ensure that the privacy rights and freedoms of Canadians are protected at every step of the way.

By modernizing the border experience through the use of digital tools and biometric technologies, the Traveller Modernization initiative will create a streamlined process for low-risk travellers, allowing the CBSA to focus on higher-risk activities and improving the delivery of the Agency's safety and security mandate.

Travellers and their goods are compliant with applicable legislation

Through its Entry/Exit Program, the CBSA collects exit data on outbound travellers, allowing the Agency to verify a more complete travel history to support decision-making, and to focus attention on individuals of higher or unknown risk. The collection of exit data is limited by law to basic biographic information that is routinely collected from all travellers entering Canada, and privacy protections are in place for information sharing with federal partners and United States counterparts.

The CBSA is conducting a land preclearance operation in a co-located facility in the United States, with the aim of streamlining border processes for legitimate travellers and identifying inadmissible travellers prior to their arrival in Canada. This operation is taking place over a two-year period at the Covey Hill/Cannon Corners border crossing between Quebec and New York State. Depending on its success, the Agency may assess the viability of expanding traveller preclearance operations to other locations in the United States.

Admissible commercial goods and conveyances are processed in an efficient manner

The eManifest suite of applications supports the CBSA's commercial processing by streamlining risk assessment, examination results and data reporting capabilities. The Agency continues to expand eManifest functionality to enable targeting officers and border services officers to process commercial shipments using a modern, integrated and user-friendly interface. This will lead to more efficient processing in all modes.

As part of its E-Commerce Customs Strategy to keep pace with the continual rise in e-commerce importation volumes, the CBSA is advancing efforts to transition to a larger-scale pilot of the E-Commerce Low Value Inspection System. The aim of this pilot is to enhance risk targeting in the Courier Low Value Shipment stream by using automation and analytics to intercept contraband. In addition, the Agency is working with the Canada Post Corporation to ensure streamlined and strengthened operations at international mail centres in order to manage postal volumes on a daily basis and during peak periods, with a view to ensuring that the postal stream cannot be used as a means of importing contraband.

In response to a decision by the Canadian International Trade Tribunal and in light of significant increases in the importation of e-commerce goods, Budget passed an amendment to section 17 of the Customs Act to clarify liability for duties and taxes owing on such goods. This amendment, which will come into force on , clarifies that when commercial entities are identified as the importer of record through accounting documents, they share liability for duties and taxes owing with the importer or owner of those goods. In the first years of implementation, the CBSA's compliance approach will focus on providing feedback to trade chain partners.

Traders are compliant with applicable legislation and requirements

In support of Canada's global human rights efforts, the CBSA is working closely with the Labour Program within Employment and Social Development Canada to identify and interdict goods that may have been produced by forced labour. The CBSA is also engaging with other government departments and trade chain partners on an approach to eradicate forced labour from Canadian supply chains and strengthen the enforcement of Canada's forced labour import prohibition. The CBSA is conducting a cargo preclearance proof-of-concept in the air mode to inform the potential expansion of commercial preclearance operations in the United States. Additionally, to improve commercial examination capacity in the marine mode, the Agency is equipping its marine container examination facilities with enhanced imaging technology at key locations to inspect marine containers and large conveyances targeted for examination.

Importers comply with revenue requirements

Following the external launch of the CBSA Assessment and Revenue Management (CARM) system in to for the commercial importing community, the Agency is continually improving the CARM system through incremental enhancements. CARM is now the official system of record for importers and other trade chain partners to assess and pay duties and taxes, which represents a major accomplishment for the CBSA in modernizing the processes required to assess, collect, manage and report revenue.

Canadian producers are protected from unfairly dumped and subsidized imports

The CBSA conducts anti-dumping and countervailing investigations through its administration of the Special Import Measures Act to guard against unfair trade practices, defend domestic producers, and protect Canadian jobs. These investigations are conducted in conjunction with the Canadian International Trade Tribunal's investigations into injury to Canadian industry caused by dumping and subsidizing.

The CBSA also updates trade remedy measures to ensure their relevance and effectiveness amid evolving global market conditions, while also investigating potential circumvention of Canada's trade remedy measures to maintain a level playing field for Canadian industries.

To support Canada's obligations under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), the CBSA is advancing its E-filing Solution project to digitalize its Anti-dumping and Countervailing Program, in line with the CUSMA requirement to implement a web-based access point by .

Trusted Traveller and Trader programs increase processing efficiency of low-risk, pre-approved travellers and traders

The bilateral NEXUS program between Canada and the United States supports communities and economic interests on both sides of the border by expediting the crossing of pre-screened travellers and allowing border officers to focus more attention on areas of higher risk. The CBSA has expanded hours of service and interview options at NEXUS enrollment centres to improve processing for current and prospective NEXUS members.

The CBSA's Trusted Trader programs simplify the border process for pre-approved, low-risk traders in order to facilitate the movement of cross-border trade. The Partners in Protection program allows the CBSA to work together with businesses to enhance border and trade chain security, while the Customs Self-Assessment program simplifies import requirements so that low-risk shipments can be processed quickly and efficiently at the border, saving businesses time and money.

Travellers and the business community have access to timely redress mechanisms

The Recourse Program provides individuals and businesses with an accessible mechanism to seek an impartial review of CBSA decisions taken under border legislation, including the Customs Act, the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act, the Agriculture and Agri-Food Monetary Penalties Act, and the Special Import Measures Act, as well as Trusted Traveller Program decisions.

The Recourse Program is also responsible for the management of the CBSA's public complaints mechanism. On , Bill C-20, An Act establishing the Public Complaints and Review Commission and amending certain Acts and statutory instruments, received Royal Assent. The Public Complaints and Review Commission will be the independent review body for both the CBSA and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The Commission will have the authority to investigate and review public complaints related to programs, policies and levels of service, as well as the conduct of CBSA employees. In addition, it will have the authority to initiate reviews of CBSA activities unrelated to national security and intelligence, and to review the Agency's responses to serious incidents. The CBSA's Public Complaints and External Reviews Division within its Recourse, Standards and Program Integrity Branch will support the new functions and responsibilities of the Commission. The Commission is expected to begin its work as the CBSA's independent review body by the spring of .

Additional initiatives

The CBSA is advancing its policy agenda across the commercial, trade and traveller streams, including through the development of budgetary, legislative and regulatory proposals to support the Agency's mandate. Key highlights for to include:

Additionally, the CBSA is advancing initiatives in relation to the following:

Key risks

Under its core responsibility of border management, the CBSA faces an evolving risk environment. Travel volumes, incidences of human smuggling, and seizures of contraband are continuing their resurgence following reduced levels in recent years, while the continual rise in e-commerce imports remains an operational challenge. The Agency is responding adaptively to this shifting landscape through ongoing efforts to enhance processing efficiency and operational agility, while also refining its staffing processes and developmental programs, in order to strengthen its ability to meet operational needs across the travel and trade continuum.

Planned resources to achieve results

Complete financial information and human resources information for the CBSA's program inventory is available on GC InfoBase.

Related government priorities

Program inventory

The CBSA's core responsibility of border management is supported by the following programs:

Additional information related to the program inventory for border management is available on the ‘Results’ page of GC InfoBase.

Core responsibility 2: Border enforcement

In this section

Description

The CBSA contributes to Canada's security by supporting the immigration and refugee system when determining a person's admissibility to Canada, taking the appropriate immigration enforcement actions when necessary, and supporting the prosecution of persons who violate our laws.

Quality of life impacts

This core responsibility contributes to the ‘Good Governance' domain of the Quality of Life Framework for Canada, particularly the ‘Safety and Security' and ‘Justice and Human Rights' subdomains, by safeguarding Canada's borders and ensuring the fair and equal application of Canada's border-related laws and requirements.

Indicators, results and targets

This section presents details on the CBSA's indicators, the actual results from the three most recently reported fiscal years, and the targets and target dates approved in to for border enforcement. Details are presented by departmental result.

Table 10: Indicators, results and targets for departmental result "Immigration investigations identify persons inadmissible to Canada"
Indicator to result to result to result Target Date to achieve
Percentage of immigration investigations concluded that result in a person being identified as inadmissible to Canada 84% 78% 78% At least 55%
Table 11: Indicators, results and targets for departmental result "Persons are placed on alternatives to detention whenever possible, or placed in the most appropriate detention facility according to their risk profile"
Indicator to result to result to result Target Date to achieve
Persons released from detention on alternatives to detention as a percentage of all persons detained 31% 35% 37% At least 25%
Percentage of individuals detained in appropriate facilities based on their assessed risk profile 89% 91% 91% At least 85%
Table 12: Indicators, results and targets for departmental result "The Minister's positions are appropriately represented in immigration and refugee decision-making processes"
Indicator to result to result to result Target Date to achieve
Percentage of admissibility hearings, detention reviews and appeals where the Minister's position is upheld by the Immigration Division and the Immigration Appeal Division 84% 83% 86% At least 70%
Percentage of refugee hearings where the Minister's position is upheld by the Refugee Protection Division and the Refugee Appeal Division 77% 75% 76% At least 70%
Table 13: Indicators, results and targets for departmental result "Inadmissible foreign nationals are prioritized and removed expeditiously from Canada"
Indicator to result to result to result Target Date to achieve
Percentage of high-priority foreign nationals removed (i.e., on grounds of serious inadmissibility such as criminality, war crimes, security) 83% 89% 90% At least 80%
Percentage of removals with no known impediments 54% 66% 67% At least 80%
Table 14: Indicators, results and targets for departmental result "People and businesses that are referred to Crown counsel for prosecution are convicted"
Indicator to result to result to result Target Date to achieve
Referrals for prosecution accepted by the Public Prosecution Service of Canada (PPSC) as a percentage of all referrals made to PPSC N/A (introduced in to ) 94% 90% At least 85%
Percentage of prosecutions concluded that result in a conviction 84% 82% 75% At least 80%

Additional information on the detailed results and performance information for the CBSA's program inventory is available on GC InfoBase.

Plans to achieve results

The following section describes the planned results for border enforcement in to .

Immigration investigations identify persons inadmissible to Canada

The CBSA is focusing its inland investigative resources on high-risk immigration cases, with the highest priorities being criminality, organized criminality, human and international rights violations, and national security. The Agency's warrant management strategy supports its immigration enforcement operations, with a focus on serious inadmissibility warrant cases.

Persons are placed on alternatives to detention whenever possible, or placed in the most appropriate detention facility according to their risk profile

Building on its National Immigration Detention Framework, the CBSA continues to ensure that detention is used as a measure of last resort and that alternatives to detention are always considered. Founded on consistent, risk-based decisions, the Agency uses alternatives to detention for individuals whose risk can be appropriately mitigated while being released into the community. Additionally, the Agency maintains ongoing engagement with the Canadian Red Cross to provide documented detention monitoring services in cases where detention is required. These initiatives ensure that detainees are treated in accordance with applicable domestic and international obligations.

The Minister's positions are appropriately represented in immigration and refugee decision-making processes

The CBSA is ensuring the effective management of its hearings-related activities through the development of updated training materials and guidelines with regard to hearings before the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada. The Agency is implementing procedures to support faster triage of refugee claims and is collaborating with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada through the Integrated Claim Analysis Centre in the Greater Toronto Area.

Inadmissible foreign nationals are prioritized and removed expeditiously from Canada

In line with Government of Canada priorities, the CBSA effects removals based on a robust risk management regime. Cases involving security, organized crime, human rights violations and criminality are considered the highest priority for the safety and security of Canada and its citizens. Irregular migrant failed refugee claimants are also a priority due to their impact on program integrity and Canada's asylum system. Failed refugee claimants that entered Canada through designated ports of entry are the next priority followed by all other inadmissible persons. Cases are triaged based on priorities and assigned without delay to support timely removals. Under the Border Plan, the CBSA has committed to increase the number of removals by 4,000, for a total of 20,000 removals in fiscal years to and to .

The CBSA is also collaborating with federal partners to address challenges in obtaining required travel documents from countries that may be uncooperative with removal operations, as this remains the most common impediment to removal. Through international engagement, the Agency takes a strategic approach to increase the cooperation of foreign governments to produce the travel documents necessary to remove their inadmissible nationals from Canada. The Agency also continues to encourage voluntary removals and operates a Removals Help Line to allow foreign nationals to call in with program-related questions or case-specific enquiries.

People and businesses that are referred to Crown counsel for prosecution are convicted

The CBSA is focused on investigating and prosecuting people and businesses that violate Canada's border-related legislation, with an emphasis on complex cases of fraud involving individuals and organizations posing a threat to Canada's immigration system, economy and communities. Operational priorities are primarily focused on cases of fraud by organizers and facilitators of serious immigration offences, including human smuggling, employment fraud, and offences involving immigration consultants, as well as serious customs offences, including firearms and weapons smuggling, trade fraud, and trade-based money laundering. Additionally, in collaboration with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants, the CBSA is strengthening the governance and enforcement framework applicable to those who offer consultant services to persons seeking to enter or remain in Canada.

Additional initiatives

Under its policy agenda, the CBSA is advancing an array of initiatives geared toward immigration facilitation and balanced enforcement through legislative, regulatory and policy work to support public safety, immigration facilitation, and program integrity objectives, including:

In line with commitments under the National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking, the CBSA is assessing the impacts of gender-based violence, including human trafficking, throughout its immigration enforcement and inadmissibility policy frameworks. Legislative and regulatory policy proposals are under development to address identified gaps, which will be subject to governmental and parliamentary approvals. The goal is to improve existing immigration enforcement and inadmissibility policies to account for specific considerations relating to people who have experienced human trafficking and gender-based violence, and to avoid inadvertently re-traumatizing victims and survivors. In to , the Agency is planning to complete a review of the regulations governing immigration detention to ensure that they are sufficient with respect to considerations related to victims and survivors of gender-based violence.

The CBSA continues to support immigration measures for those affected by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, while also working with federal partners to enforce sanctions in response to the Russian invasion and commission of human rights violations.

The CBSA supports the Minister of Public Safety in exercising the authority to designate a regime as having engaged in international human rights violations, terrorism or war crimes. This authority means that prescribed senior officials of the designated regime are inadmissible to Canada. For example, enforcement measures were implemented following the designation of the Iranian regime pursuant to subparagraph 35(1)(b) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act in order to identify and interdict senior officials who are inadmissible to Canada. In order to push the border out and stop threats abroad from accessing Canada, the CBSA has launched a multi-year effort to review several additional regimes for potential designation. This approach will make it more difficult for persons who are inadmissible on serious grounds to arrive at Canada's borders in the first place.

Key risks

Under its core responsibility of border enforcement, the CBSA faces an evolving risk environment. From an immigration perspective, the CBSA is maintaining focus on geopolitical events impacting its operations, such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the collapse of the former Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, and the conflict in Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. These events have posed implications for border operations due to special immigration measures and resettlement initiatives for those affected, in addition to existing pressures on the asylum system posed by irregular migration.

Concurrently, removal processes for inadmissible persons can be challenged by the lack of cooperation from some foreign governments in the issuance of travel documents to repatriate their foreign nationals in a timely manner. Additionally, the Agency is upgrading its immigration holding centres to enable the secure detention of high-risk individuals, including increasing the tools, training and human resources dedicated to the safe and compassionate management of high-risk individuals. The Agency is working collaboratively with federal partners and is implementing strategies to ensure effective operations across the immigration continuum.

Planned resources to achieve results

Complete financial information and human resources information for the CBSA's program inventory is available on GC InfoBase.

Related government priorities

Gender-based analysis plus: For details on how the CBSA is implementing GBA Plus across the organization, please refer to our GBA Plus supplementary information table.

Program inventory

The CBSA's core responsibility of border enforcement is supported by the following programs:

Additional information related to the program inventory for border enforcement is available on the ‘Results' page of GC InfoBase.

Internal services

In this section

Description

Internal services are the services that are provided within a department so that it can meet its corporate obligations and deliver its programs. There are 10 categories of internal services:

Plans to achieve results

This section presents details on how the CBSA plans to achieve results for internal services.

Improving the CBSA's management practices

The CBSA is strengthening its procurement practices through its Executive Procurement Review Committee to provide senior oversight of all contracting activities with a focus on delivering value for money, while also taking steps to reduce its reliance on external consultants. This will benefit the Agency by strengthening its stewardship of public resources, while also providing greater assurance to Parliament and Canadians.

The CBSA is taking further steps to support the Clerk of the Privy Council's priority on values and ethics. The CBSA Code of Conduct sets out the expected behaviours for employees at all levels and serves as a guide for interacting with others, making sound decisions, and working in a professional, values-based environment. Discussions with executives and employees will continue to take place across the organization to promote greater awareness of values and ethics, including theme-based armchair discussions led by various senior executives. Furthermore, the Agency has launched semi-annual conflict of interest affirmations aligning with the performance management cycle.

Supporting a modern and healthy workplace

The CBSA recognizes the need for a modern, healthy and supportive workplace where employees are valued and engaged, along with a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects Canada's population. To that end, the Agency is taking further steps through the following initiatives:

Supporting an effective organization through information technology, cyber security and data analytics

The CBSA continually evolves its applications, software and hardware to support border operations and to ensure a modern and secure IT environment where national systems and related business processes are cost-effectively managed; innovation can be easily introduced to increase business value; and rationalization occurs as needed to address technical debt.

The CBSA is strengthening its cyber security through a framework to identify, protect, detect, respond, and recover from cyber attacks in order to support the effective delivery of the Agency's mandate. The Agency is committed to championing security consciousness across the organization and fostering a culture shift toward a security-by-design mindset, and is taking steps to attract new talent and retain internal expertise by providing opportunities for professional development and advancement.

Key solutions for cyber and information technology security will be delivered, such as maturing the CBSA's identity, credential and access management capabilities; implementing an Insider Risk Program; maturing and modernizing risk assessment practices with a business-focused approach; and stabilizing and maturing end-point protection. Additionally, the Agency's internal and boundary protection measures will be strengthened; threat detection and response will be augmented; and collaboration with partners will be enhanced by onboarding enterprise solutions provided by Shared Services Canada and aligning to the Government of Canada Enterprise Cyber Security Strategy.

Under the CBSA Data Strategy 2.0, which focuses on leveraging data for business impacts, the Agency is enhancing the use of analytics throughout the organization, while undertaking activities to ensure the horizontal integration of data and to improve data quality, availability and accessibility. This strategy enables evidence-based decision-making, strengthens policy compliance and performance monitoring, supports opportunities for efficiency, and enhances transparency to the public.

Supporting CBSA activities through effective communications and information sharing

Many stakeholders rely on the CBSA for clear and complete information, including travellers, businesses, parliamentarians, media, and the Canadian public. To meet this need, the CBSA provides concise, proactive, transparent, and accessible communications to support Canada's national security and public safety priorities, and to facilitate trade and economic development.

To reach audiences in Canada and abroad, the CBSA employs a variety of communications tactics, including proactive outreach to media outlets, timely responses to media and parliamentary enquiries and public information requests, and social media outreach through a variety of national and regional platforms.

Internally, the CBSA uses innovative, compelling and proactive communications to share information, build community, and engage with its diverse workforce located across Canada and around the world.

Planned resources to achieve results

Complete financial information and human resources information for the CBSA's program inventory is available on GC InfoBase.

Planning for contracts awarded to Indigenous businesses

Government of Canada departments are required to meet a target of awarding at least 5% of the total value of contracts to Indigenous businesses each year. This commitment is to be fully implemented by the end of to .

The CBSA's Executive Procurement Review Committee oversees its efforts to meet this commitment and the Agency's forecasted result for to exceeds the 5% target. Additionally, the Agency's procurement planning team ensures that clients make Indigenous considerations a regular part of their procurement planning process, while the Agency's Indigenous procurement policy aims to increase opportunities for Indigenous businesses across Canada.

Table 15: Total percentage of CBSA contracts with Indigenous businesses
to actual result to forecasted result to planned result
1.93% 5.88% 5%

Planned spending and human resources

This section provides an overview of the CBSA's planned spending and human resources for the next three fiscal years and compares planned spending for to with actual spending from previous years.

In this section

Spending

This section presents an overview of the CBSA's planned expenditures from to to to .

Budgetary performance summary

Table 16: Three-year spending summary for core responsibilities and internal services (dollars)
Core responsibilities and internal services  to  actual expenditures  to  actual expenditures  to  forecast spending
Border Management 1,693,523,022 1,739,904,759 2,102,514,949
Border Enforcement 356,671,921 381,536,390 501,619,364
Subtotal 2,050,194,943 2,121,441,149 2,604,134,313
Internal Services 544,347,508 572,470,002 514,477,374
Total 2,594,542,452 2,693,911,151 3,118,611,687

Analysis of the past three years of spending

Over the last three years, from to to to , the CBSA has increased its spending by $524.1 million, which is attributed to funding for the following:

More financial information from previous years is available in the ‘Finances' section of GC InfoBase.

Table 17: Planned three-year spending on core responsibilities and internal services (dollars)
Core responsibilities and internal services  to  planned spending  to  planned spending  to  planned spending
Border Management 1,998,495,608 1,990,643,274 1,912,210,045
Border Enforcement 513,244,952 482,608,584 464,788,450
Subtotal 2,511,740,560 2,473,251,858 2,376,998,495
Internal Services 481,231,389 431,176,365 455,785,967
Total 2,992,971,949 2,904,428,223 2,832,784,462

Analysis of the next three years of spending

The CBSA continues its funding through the following initiatives:

The increase is offset by sunsetting initiatives.

More detailed financial information on planned spending is available in the ‘Finances’ section of GC InfoBase.

Table 18: Budgetary gross and net planned spending summary (dollars)
Core responsibilities and internal services to gross planned spending to planned revenues netted against spending to planned net spending (authorities used)
Border Management 2,027,525,608 29,030,000 1,998,495,608
Border Enforcement 513,244,952 0 513,244,952
Subtotal 2,540,770,560 29,030,000 2,511,740,560
Internal Services 481,231,389 0 481,231,389
Total 3,022,001,949 29,030,000 2,992,971,949

Analysis of budgetary gross and net planned spending summary

The purpose of this table is to help present the full scope of the CBSA's operations that are materially funded through revenues or special purpose accounts.

Information on the alignment of the CBSA's spending with the Government of Canada's spending and activities is available on GC InfoBase.

Funding

This section provides an overview of the CBSA's voted and statutory funding for its core responsibilities and internal services. For further information on funding authorities, consult the Government of Canada budgets and expenditures.

Figure 1: Departmental spending to to to (in dollars)
  to to to to to to
Statutory 241,287,521 262,629,524 230,725,909 281,217,025 274,193,473 270,825,831
Voted 2,353,254,931 2,431,281,627 2,887,885,778 2,711,754,924 2,630,234,750 2,561,958,631
Total 2,594,542,452 2,693,911,151 3,118,611,687 2,992,971,949 2,904,428,223 2,832,784,462

Analysis of statutory and voted funding over a six-year period

As previously mentioned, the CBSA continues its funding through the following initiatives:

  • Compensation adjustments for CBSA employees
  • Strengthening frontline capacity at Canada's borders
  • Land Border Crossing Project
  • Supporting the Immigration Levels Plan
  • Border infrastructure (Lacolle)
  • Improving processing times and reducing inventory backlogs for Temporary Resident applications
  • Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy
  • Canada's Trade Remedy System
  • Contracting of security guards to provide care and control for detainees within the Agency's Immigration Holding Centres
  • Measures to combat vehicle theft
  • Vaping Excise Duty Framework
  • Upgrading Immigration Holding Centres
  • Stabilization and integrity of Canada's asylum system
  • Enhancing the ability to detect, deter and disrupt trade-related financial crime
  • Canada's G7 Presidency
  • Canada's Border Plan
  • Emergency responses to crises in Haiti and the Middle East
  • Immigration measures for Palestinian and Ukrainian temporary residents and remission order to refund associated fees paid by Palestinian nationals
  • Administering the temporary GST/HST holiday
  • Market Watch Unit
  • Continuing the implementation of the Framework for the Legalization and Regulation of Cannabis in Canada
  • Supporting preparedness, prevention and trade continuity in response to African swine fever
  • Delivering Traveller Modernization through Officer Experience

The increase is offset by sunsetting initiatives.

For further information on the CBSA's departmental appropriations, consult the to Main Estimates.

Future-oriented condensed statement of operations

The future-oriented condensed statement of operations provides an overview of the CBSA's operations for to to to .

Table 19: Future-oriented condensed statement of operations for the year ending (dollars)
Financial information to forecast results to planned results Difference ( to planned results minus to forecast results)
Total expenses 3,243,922,000 2,983,297,000 (260,625,000)
Total revenues 32,330,000 29,030,000 (3,300,000)
Net cost of operations before government funding and transfers 3,211,592,000 2,954,267,000 (257,325,000)

Analysis of forecasted and planned results

The total expenses in to are projected to be $2,983 million, representing a decrease of $261 million compared to the $3,244 million forecasted in to .

A more detailed Future-Oriented Statement of Operations and associated notes for to , including a reconciliation of the net cost of operations with the requested authorities, is available on the CBSA's website.

Human resources

This section presents an overview of the CBSA's actual and planned human resources from to to to .

The following table shows information on human resources, in full-time equivalents, for the CBSA's core responsibilities and internal services for the previous three fiscal years. Human resources for the current fiscal year are forecasted based on year to date.

Table 20: Actual human resources summary for core responsibilities and internal services
Core responsibilities and internal services to actual full-time equivalents to actual full-time equivalents to forecast full-time equivalents
Border Management 10,591 11,075 12,283
Border Enforcement 1,984 2,150 2,134
Subtotal 12,575 13,225 14,417
Internal Services 3,142 3,245 3,355
Total 15,717 16,470 17,772

Analysis of human resources over the last three years

Over the last three years, from to to to , the CBSA has increased its full-time equivalents to support initiatives such as:

The following table shows information on human resources, in full-time equivalents, for the CBSA's core responsibilities and internal services planned for the next three years.

Table 21: Human resources planning summary for core responsibilities and internal services
Core responsibilities and internal services to planned full-time equivalents to planned full-time equivalents to planned full-time equivalents
Border Management 12,277 11,978 11,878
Border Enforcement 2,335 2,225 2,134
Subtotal 14,612 14,203 14,012
Internal Services 2,677 2,612 2,603
Total 17,289 16,815 16,615

Analysis of human resources for the next three years

As previously mentioned, the CBSA has increased its full-time equivalents over the years (through the Budget process) to support initiatives such as:

Corporate information

Organizational profile

Appropriate minister: The Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, P.C., M.P.
Institutional head: Erin O'Gorman
Ministerial portfolio: Public Safety
Enabling instruments: Canada Border Services Agency Act
Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Act
Year of incorporation/commencement:

Organizational contact information

The CBSA's contact information is available on its website.

Supplementary information tables

The CBSA's GBA Plus supplementary information table is available on its website.

The CBSA's Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy is also available on its website.

Federal tax expenditures

The CBSA's Departmental Plan does not include information on tax expenditures.

The tax system can be used to achieve public policy objectives through the application of special measures such as low tax rates, exemptions, deductions, deferrals and credits. The Department of Finance Canada publishes cost estimates and projections for these measures each year in the Report on Federal Tax Expenditures. This report also provides detailed background information on tax expenditures, including descriptions, objectives, historical information and references to related federal spending programs as well as evaluations and GBA Plus of tax expenditures.

Definitions

List of terms
appropriation (crédit)
Any authority of Parliament to pay money out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund.
budgetary expenditures (dépenses budgétaires)
Operating and capital expenditures; transfer payments to other levels of government, organizations or individuals; and payments to Crown corporations.
core responsibility (responsabilité essentielle)
An enduring function or role performed by a department. The intentions of the department with respect to a core responsibility are reflected in one or more related departmental results that the department seeks to contribute to or influence.
Departmental Plan (plan ministériel)
A report on the plans and expected performance of an appropriated department over a 3-year period. Departmental Plans are usually tabled in Parliament each spring.
departmental result (résultat ministériel)
A consequence or outcome that a department seeks to achieve. A departmental result is often outside departments’ immediate control, but it should be influenced by program-level outcomes.
departmental result indicator (indicateur de résultat ministériel)
A quantitative measure of progress on a departmental result.
departmental results framework (cadre ministériel des résultats)
A framework that connects the department's core responsibilities to its departmental results and departmental result indicators.
Departmental Results Report (rapport sur les résultats ministériels)
A report on a department's actual accomplishments against the plans, priorities and expected results set out in the corresponding Departmental Plan.
full-time equivalent (équivalent temps plein)
A measure of the extent to which an employee represents a full person-year charge against a departmental budget. For a particular position, the full-time equivalent figure is the ratio of number of hours the person actually works divided by the standard number of hours set out in the person's collective agreement.
gender-based analysis plus (GBA Plus) (analyse comparative entre les sexes plus [ACS Plus])
An analytical tool used to support the development of responsive and inclusive policies, programs and other initiatives. GBA Plus is a process for understanding who is impacted by the issue or opportunity being addressed by the initiative; identifying how the initiative could be tailored to meet diverse needs of the people most impacted; and anticipating and mitigating any barriers to accessing or benefitting from the initiative. GBA Plus is an intersectional analysis that goes beyond biological (sex) and socio-cultural (gender) differences to consider other factors, such as age, disability, education, ethnicity, economic status, geography (including rurality), language, race, religion, and sexual orientation.

Using GBA Plus involves taking a gender- and diversity-sensitive approach to our work. Considering all intersecting identity factors as part of GBA Plus, not only sex and gender, is a Government of Canada commitment.
government priorities (priorités gouvernementales)
For the purpose of the to Departmental Plan, government priorities are the high-level themes outlining the government's agenda in the most recent Speech from the Throne.
horizontal initiative (initiative horizontale)
An initiative where two or more federal departments are given funding to pursue a shared outcome, often linked to a government priority.
Indigenous business (entreprise autochtones)
For the purpose of the Directive on the Management of Procurement Appendix E: Mandatory Procedures for Contracts Awarded to Indigenous Businesses and the Government of Canada's commitment that a mandatory minimum target of 5% of the total value of contracts is awarded to Indigenous businesses, a department that meets the definition and requirements as defined by the Indigenous Business Directory.
non-budgetary expenditures (dépenses non budgétaires)
Non-budgetary authorities that comprise assets and liabilities transactions for loans, investments and advances, or specified purpose accounts, that have been established under specific statutes or under non-statutory authorities in the Estimates and elsewhere. Non-budgetary transactions are those expenditures and receipts related to the government's financial claims on, and obligations to, outside parties. These consist of transactions in loans, investments and advances; in cash and accounts receivable; in public money received or collected for specified purposes; and in all other assets and liabilities. Other assets and liabilities, not specifically defined in G to P authority codes are to be recorded to an R authority code, which is the residual authority code for all other assets and liabilities.
performance (rendement)
What a department did with its resources to achieve its results, how well those results compare to what the department intended to achieve, and how well lessons learned have been identified.
performance indicator (indicateur de rendement)
A qualitative or quantitative means of measuring an output or outcome, with the intention of gauging the performance of a department, program, policy or initiative respecting expected results.
plan (plan)
The articulation of strategic choices, which provides information on how a department intends to achieve its priorities and associated results. Generally, a plan will explain the logic behind the strategies chosen and tend to focus on actions that lead to the expected result.
planned spending (dépenses prévues)
For Departmental Plans and Departmental Results Reports, planned spending refers to those amounts presented in Main Estimates.

A department is expected to be aware of the authorities that it has sought and received. The determination of planned spending is a departmental responsibility, and departments must be able to defend the expenditure and accrual numbers presented in their Departmental Plans and Departmental Results Reports.
program (programme)
Individual or groups of services, activities or combinations thereof that are managed together within the department and focus on a specific set of outputs, outcomes or service levels.
program inventory (répertoire des programmes)
Identifies all the department's programs and describes how resources are organized to contribute to the department's core responsibilities and results.
result (résultat)
A consequence attributed, in part, to a department, policy, program or initiative. Results are not within the control of a single department, policy, program or initiative; instead they are within the area of the department's influence.
statutory expenditures (dépenses législatives)
Expenditures that Parliament has approved through legislation other than appropriation acts. The legislation sets out the purpose of the expenditures and the terms and conditions under which they may be made.
target (cible)
A measurable performance or success level that a department, program or initiative plans to achieve within a specified time period. Targets can be either quantitative or qualitative.
voted expenditures (dépenses votées)
Expenditures that Parliament approves annually through an appropriation act. The vote wording becomes the governing conditions under which these expenditures may be made.

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