2023 to 2024 Supplementary Estimates (C) issue notes: Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security—Study on Mandate Letter Commitments (March 21, 2024)

Traveller modernization

Overview

Traveller Modernization (TM) aims to shift the Agency's approach to processing travellers away from high-touch, in-person, transactions towards a digital, self-service processing that provides optional tools to travellers to share information in advance of their arrival. This work is organized around two tracks: Digital Traveller Experience (DTE) and Officer Experience (OE).

The DTE project will provide more options for travellers to report and improve processing experience at staffed and unstaffed border crossings through digital self-service to begin their border clearance process in advance of arrival, including through the use of mobile applications.

The pandemic introduced a specific new business need for a mobile application. The ArriveCAN app was developed in response to a request from the Public Health Agency: to enforce public health measures as they came into effect and evolved over time. Its use was time-limited as part of the government's emergency response to the pandemic. Now, post-pandemic, we are continuing to consider how mobile applications fit within the Agency's broader traveller modernization. The Advance Declaration functionality on the ArriveCAN platform remains an optional tool that allows travellers to make their customs declaration in advance of their arrival at Canada's largest airports.

The OE project will provide front-line officers with better tools such as flexible primary processing and more access to information and analytics to process travellers at the border. It will inform their decisions and allow them to focus on higher risk/higher value activities, and meet increasing demands for service.

Explanation of funding for 2023 to 2024

In 2023 to 2024, the CBSA requested $26.8 million of funding through the Supplementary Estimates (C).

Supplementary Estimates

• $17.3 million under Vote 1 – Salary
• $9.4 million under Vote 1 – Operating
• $0.1 million under Vote 5 – Operating

Strengthening the front line

Overview

Strengthening the Front Line will increase the complement of Border Services Officers (BSOs) and employees delivering the Recourse Program. These new resources are required to manage CBSA frontline pressures driven by commercial and traveller volumes returning to pre-pandemic levels and beyond. CBSA is experiencing growth in various sectors. The CBSA will deliver 97 new BSOs through its Force Generation Program's Officer Induction Model (OIM), a national approach to recruit, train and develop officers to serve in an armed law-enforcement agency.

The CBSA's Custodial 117 Ports of Entry (POEs) and 67 Section 6 POEs across the country, include land crossings, international airport and marine terminals. These locations are currently supported by approximately 4,824 BSOs who enforce more than 90 acts, regulations and international agreements to safeguard Canada's security and prosperity by ensuring the free flow of admissible people and goods, while supporting national security and public safety priorities.

The Recourse program deals directly with the business community and cross-border travellers providing an accessible mechanism to seek an impartial review of trade decisions, enforcement actions, prohibited goods, late accounting penalties and membership cancellations or rejections from a trusted program administered by the CBSA.

Traveller volumes have returned to their pre-pandemic levels and there is continued growth in Commercial volumes, especially in the marine and courier business lines. As a result, the Agency is under increasing pressure to effectively manage the border and maintain its operational agility to deal with these significant increases in volumes. This funding is needed to deploy new BSOs to support each Region's increasing workload demands, based on volumes, current staff complements and overtime costs analysis.

Explanation of funding for 2023 to 2024

In 2023 to 2024, the CBSA requested $17.0 million of funding through the Supplementary Estimates (C).

Supplementary Estimates C

• $12.3 million under Vote 1 – Salary
• $4.7 million under Vote 1 – Operating

National security intelligence review

Overview

With the establishment of the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP) in 2017, and the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency (NSIRA) in 2019, federal departments and agencies who undertake national security or intelligence activities must now respond to comprehensive external review requirements. In order to do so, they have set up (or are expanding) liaison units to respond to NSICOP's and NSIRA's information requests, including the provision of documents, written responses to questions, and briefings. This funding supports the CBSA's capacity to meet external review requirements related to its participation in related reviews.

Explanation of funding for 2023 to 2024

In 2023 to 2024, the CBSA requested $1.5 million of funding through the Supplementary Estimates (C).

Supplementary Estimates C

• $1.3 million under Vote 1 – Salary
• $0.2 million under Vote 1 – Operating

Adjustments to the employee benefit plan

Overview

The statutory item "Employee Benefit Plans" includes costs to the government for the employer's matching contributions and payments to the Public Service Superannuation Plan, the Canada and the Quebec Pension Plans, Death Benefits and the Employment Insurance accounts.

EBP must be calculated at 27% of the Personnel and/or Personnel-Capital for all new initiatives included in the Estimates. However, in finalizing the Annual Reference Level Update/Main Estimates, TBS generates a technical adjustment to bring the final EBP amount in line with the established rate for the current exercise.

Explanation of funding for 2023 to 2024

For 2023 to 2024, the CBSA is receiving a total of $8.3 million in EBP for three new funding requests through the 2023 to 2024 Supplementary Estimates (C).

Transfers to and from other organizations

Overview

CBSA has a total of two transfers from other organizations through the Supplementary Estimates (C), related to the administration of joint responsibilities and cost sharing agreements.

These other government departments (OGDs) include Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC) and Shared Services Canada (SSC).

Explanation of funding for 2023 to 2024

In 2023 to 2024, the CBSA requested a net transfer of $3.7 million (excluding EBP, PSPC accommodation and SSC costs) for transfers to and from other organizations.

Supplementary Estimates

• $3.0 million under Vote 1
• $0.7 million under Vote 5

Breakdown of funding for 2023 to 2024

Transfers from Other Government Departments – $3.7 million:

• $2.2 million (Vote 1) from the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC) to Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) for Canada's Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, as well as the essential service the CBSA's Air Carrier Support Centre provides to help facilitate the travel continuum for travellers flying to or through Canadian airports
• 1.5 million (0.8 million Vote 1 and 0.7 million Vote 5) from Shared Services Canada to Canada Border Services Agency to support CBSA Assessment and Revenue Management Project