Overview: Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities: Airport Delays, Cancellations, ArriveCAN and Reimposed Measures on Travellers (August 19, 2022)
Scenario note
General information
Pursuant to Standing Order 106(4), the committee commenced consideration of the request by four members of the committee to undertake a study of airport delays and cancellations.
On , the House of Commons Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities (TRAN) unanimously adopted the following motion moved by Conservative MP Melissa Lantsman:
That the Minister of Transport appear before the committee for no fewer than two hours, on the subject of airport delays and cancellations, ArriveCAN and reimposed measures on travellers; that this meeting take place no later than , and that, if possible, this meeting be televised.
Other parliamentary committees have studied similar subject in the last few months.
On , the House of Commons Standing Committee on International Trade (CIIT) convened to study and learn more about the impacts ArriveCAN is having on sectors of the Canadian economy which have come to rely on the efficient operation and facilitation of cross-border travel and trade to ensure their economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) appeared during the first half of the meeting. In its opening remarks, the CBSA provided background on the implementation of ArriveCAN and described the beneficial aspects for travellers.
On , TRAN convened to study ways to reduce red tape and costs on rural and urban Canadian airports. During this study, the Committee also touched on ways to address airports delays. The meeting began with opening remarks by Transport Canada, the CBSA, the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) and NAV CANADA. Each organization's remarks focused on the various measures and initiatives they are undertaking to alleviate airport delays.
On , Transport Canada hosted a parliamentary briefing for members of TRAN and the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications (TRCM) regarding airport delays. Officials from Transport Canada, the CBSA, CATSA and PHAC answered questions from MPs and Senators. Questions directed at the CBSA focused on staff shortages in airports, screening times and delays at Pearson Airport, and the ArriveCAN app – notably its impact on users without access to the technology (for example, older demographics).
Logistics
The TRAN meeting invitation was sent to the Minister of Transport, and due to the content of the motion, he extended the invitation to officials from his department, the CBSA, PHAC and Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA). The meeting will take place on Friday, , from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm, and will be held in-person and via videoconference (Zoom platform). The Minister of Transport will attend the meeting virtually for the first hour, alongside officials. For the second hour, officials will answer questions from Committee members. The Vice-President, Travellers Branch, will appear virtually, and IT has confirmed they will be onsite to support him in the office. All officials appearing at committee will need a wired headset with boom mic.
General information
Date:
Time: 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Location: Room 025-B, West Block
Mode: The meeting will be in a hybrid setting
Appearing:
From 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm (first hour only)
Hon. Omar Alghabra, P.C., M.P., Minister of Transport
Witnesses
From 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Transport Canada
- Michael Keenan, Deputy Minister of Transport
- Colin Stacey, Director General, Air Policy
- Aaron McCrorie, Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Safety & Security
- Nicholas Robinson, Director General, Civil Aviation
Canadian Air Transport Security Authority
- Michael Saunders, President and Chief Executive Officer
- Nancy Fitchett, Vice-President, Corporate Affairs and Chief Financial Officer
- Neil Parry, Vice-President, Service Delivery
Canada Border Services Agency
Denis Vinette Vice-President, Travellers Branch
Public Health Agency of Canada
Jennifer Lutfallah, Vice-President, Health Security and Regional Operations Branch
Opening remarks
At the beginning of the meeting, the chair will invite the Minister of Transport to deliver opening remarks, which will be followed by questions from Committee members to all officials. Officials will not have to deliver opening remarks at the beginning of the second hour.
Placemat: Key messages
What is the reason for delays at Airports?
The CBSA works with airport authorities, airlines and PHAC in planning for arrivals based on scheduled flights. However, the convergence of flights arriving at the same time, sometimes because of early or late arrivals of flights can increase the overall processing time.
When several flights converge and travellers accumulate, it can create a funnel effect leading into the pre-primary waiting area, which may cause lineups. Due to infrastructure and space limitations, travellers may have to be staged prior to entering the CBSA processing area.
It is important to note that each Airport Authority is responsible for the planning and coordination of the required holds and flow of travellers throughout the terminal building.
How can travellers avoid delays?
Travellers can help by ensuring that their ArriveCAN submission is completed within 72 hours of arrival at the border with all the required information including vaccination evidence.
The completion of ArriveCAN before arriving at the border helps to improve the flow across the border and minimize delays. It is the fastest, easiest and most secure way for travellers to show they meet public health requirements.
For travellers arriving by air in Montreal, Toronto or Vancouver, can also submit their customs declaration in advance of arrival using the Advance Declaration option found within the ArriveCAN App.
Are there enough resources at airports and other ports of entry?
The CBSA takes appropriate measures to ensure that there are sufficient resources available to adequately manage the border and allow for the ability to increase operational flexibility and respond to service demands as and when required based on historical travel patterns and established airline schedules.
The Agency continuously monitors traveller volumes and wait times to allocate resources and adjust staffing levels during peak travel periods to minimize processing times and delays at our ports of entry.
CBSA and the Greater Toronto Airports Authority have made 25 additional kiosks as well as new eGates available in the customs hall areas at the Toronto Pearson International Airport.
The CBSA has increased officer availability, and Student Border Services Officers are now at work.
NEXUS enrolment
NEXUS enrolment has been severely impacted by the pandemic. Over the past two years, the enrolment backlog has reached 300,000, resulting in delays to schedule and complete enrolment interviews.
The CBSA and US Customs and Border Protection are working closely to implement measures necessary to reopen the Canadian locations. We are also exploring other options to increase capacity, such as virtual interviews for renewing members.
It will take time to clear this backlog. Those applying for a NEXUS card for the first time may have to wait a year or longer to complete the interview.
In the meantime, membership validity is being extended for renewing members who are unable to complete their interview in person. We remind renewing members to submit their application before the expiry of their current membership to ensure they are able to benefit from this extension.
Can CBSA leverage other programs to improve border wait times?
In terms of Canada not leveraging trusted traveller programs to their full extent, it's important to note the investments currently underway by the CBSA to modernize processing for all travellers. Advance reporting, dynamic risking and biometric verification will facilitate the processing experience of many residents and visitors.
ArriveCAN notification
The CBSA identified a post-border notification glitch on , that affected approximately 10,200 Apple device users.
From June 28 to July 20, despite having submitted all the required information and their proof of vaccination using ArriveCAN, some travellers received automated quarantine notifications when they should not.
This issue was introduced on the ArriveCAN June 28 V3.0 release. Prior to that, erroneous messages were not being sent to Apple device users as a result of this issue.
The glitch was resolved . PHAC notified the impacted travellers to ignore these erroneous messages.
ArriveCan privacy considerations
The CBSA and PHAC have been working with the Department of Justice since the creation of ArriveCAN to ensure policies are reviewed against Charter requirements and as ArriveCAN development continues, the CBSA continues to engage with legal counsel.
The CBSA works to address complaints received by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner (OPC) by providing information to support the investigations and following up on the issues raised.
We are aware of an investigation by the Privacy Commissioner following a complaint related to the ArriveCAN app and we are cooperating fully with the OPC.
As the investigation is ongoing, we cannot provide details on the inquiry. What we can tell you is that the OPC has been actively engaged on any collection of personal information through ArriveCAN.
The CBSA ensures that privacy is at the forefront of the development of any new technologies and tools related to ArriveCAN through current and ongoing engagement with the OPC. All personal information under the control of any federal government institution is subject to the requirements of the Privacy Act and the Government has actively engaged the OPC on any collection of personal information through the ArriveCAN app.
ArriveCAN going forward
The CBSA is continuing to work with PHAC and other partners to identify processing efficiencies in all modes, to address anticipated rising volumes as we approach the summer travel period.
The CBSA integrated the Advance CBSA Declaration into the mobile ArriveCAN app in , allowing travellers at Toronto Pearson, Vancouver International and Montreal-Trudeau airports to voluntarily complete their customs declaration in advance of arrival. This initiative is expected to reduce traveller processing time on arrival, and will be expanded to other major airports in Canada over the coming year.
The CBSA is committed to building on the success of the ArriveCAN app and will roll out other initiatives designed to deliver a better and faster border experience for travellers in the coming months and years.
Key messages
Airport wait times and CBSA staffing levels
There are many factors that may contribute to delays upon arrival at a Canadian airport.
The unpredictable and sometimes inevitable convergence of flights arriving at the same time, combined with administering border health measures, can increase overall processing times.
This means travellers to Canada could experience longer border wait times during some periods of the day.
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) invests significant effort annually to plan and prepare for various peak periods, including the summer travel season and significant holidays. The Agency continuously monitors traveller volumes and wait times so it can allocate resources and, in peak periods, adjust staffing levels in order to minimize processing times and unnecessary delays at airports.
Considerable analysis is conducted to inform CBSA of the resources that will be required to address projected trends and patterns to ensure the Agency's resources align with resources to service demands. This approach has served the Agency well in the past, with service to travellers being effectively balanced with security and safety responsibilities.
The CBSA has established modern processes to improve the traveller experience and manage volumes, like the international-to-domestic and the international-to-international programs that serve to significantly decrease connection times, as well as the Primary Inspection Kiosks. To further expedite traveller processing, there are now 12 eGates and 30 new primary inspection kiosks (PIKs) at Toronto Pearson International Airport.
The CBSA has also created the Advanced CBSA Declaration option within ArriveCAN, this feature allows air travellers in some airports to prepare their customs and immigration declaration 72 hours in advance of their arrival in Canada. Early usage data from Toronto Pearson and Vancouver airports on the Advance CBSA Declaration feature indicates that using it cuts the amount of time a traveller spends at a kiosk by roughly one third. With the thousands of travellers arriving in Vancouver, Toronto and Montréal airports each day, the use of the optional Advance CBSA Declaration has the potential to save hours in wait time.
NEXUS enrolment
NEXUS is a joint program managed by the CBSA and the United States Customs and Border Protection.
Due to the pandemic, on , the NEXUS and Free and Secure Trade (also known as FAST) enrolment centres in Canada and in the US closed.
With the recent easing of some border measures, NEXUS and FAST interviews have resumed at enrolment centres in the US as of .
Canada and the US are in discussions about the timing of the reopening of Canadian enrolment centres. These discussions are focused on clarifying legal protections for US CBP officers while they are working in Canadian enrolment centres. Until that time, enrolment centres in Canada will continue to be closed.
The CBSA and the US CBP are working together to ease the impact on NEXUS and FAST members caused by the extended closures of the enrolment centres.
ArriveCAN
ArriveCAN was developed and implemented by the CBSA and Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) in as a web-based and mobile tool for capturing travel and public health information from travellers prior to arrival in Canada.
All travellers, regardless of vaccination status and mode of transportation, are required to submit their information in ArriveCAN up to 72 hours before entering Canada. ArriveCAN collects contact, health and travel information to protect the health and safety of travellers and expedite processing at the border.
Travellers must provide in ArriveCAN their complete contact information, travel details and vaccination information prior to arrival in Canada. A receipt showing that the traveller has successfully submitted their information is displayed in ArriveCAN and emailed to the traveller.
Travellers can help minimize delays by ensuring that their ArriveCAN (free mobile app or website) submission is completed within 72 hours of arrival at the border with all the required information including vaccination evidence. The completion of ArriveCAN before arriving at the border helps to improve the flow across the border and minimize delays.
ArriveCAN collects contact, health and travel information to protect the health and safety of travellers and expedite processing at the border. It is the fastest, easiest and most secure way for travellers to show they meet public health requirements.
ArriveCAN is available to download as a mobile app and is free to use; it can also be accessed on the website at Canada.ca/arrivecan. Travellers without a smartphone or without mobile data can submit their information by signing in online through any computing device.
Travellers can also ask another person for assistance, such as a friend or relative, to submit their information if they are unable to use ArriveCAN. They do not need to be travelling together. Once they have submitted the travellers' information, they should print the receipt page or take a screenshot and provide it to the traveller to show to the border services officer.
The Advance CBSA Declaration feature within ArriveCAN gives air travellers the option to prepare their customs and immigration declaration 72 hours in advance of their arrival in Canada. Through the new Advance CBSA Declaration, international travellers arriving at Vancouver International Airport, Toronto Pearson International Airport and Montreal-Trudeau International Airport can now use ArriveCAN to prepare their customs and immigration declaration before arriving in Canada.
Also, ArriveCAN now includes an optional "saved traveller" feature for all travellers. It saves travel documents and proof of vaccination information in ArriveCAN for re-use on future trips. If you don't use this feature, you'll need to enter this information for each ArriveCAN submission. You can add, edit or delete travellers at any time. Once you've saved your travel information, ensure that you continue your submission until you obtain an ArriveCAN receipt.
Impacts of COVID-19 health measures and ArriveCAN
Since the beginning of the pandemic over two years ago, the CBSA has supported a Whole-of-Government approach to limit the introduction and spread of COVID-19 in Canada, by ensuring the safety and security of our borders.
Travellers in 2022 are returning to a border that is managed differently with evolving COVID-19 requirements – and this can mean delays during peak periods. The CBSA is working hard to mitigate long border wait times, but, there are also things that travellers can do to make the process easier for themselves, and other travellers and help minimize delays.
Delays can become further exacerbated when travellers need additional time in the arrival hall to complete their ArriveCAN submissions.
All travellers can help by ensuring that their ArriveCAN submission is completed correctly up to 72 hours prior to arrival at the border, and with all the required information including proof of vaccination. All the information about ArriveCAN is available on the CBSA website.
Supporting humanitarian efforts in Afghanistan and Ukraine
The CBSA facilitates the flow of legitimate travel and trade into Canada. It has a longstanding history of treating the people coming through its ports of entry with compassion and professionalism.
The CBSA's role is to assess the security risk and admissibility of persons coming to Canada. All persons, including Canadian citizens, seeking entry to Canada must present to the CBSA and may be subject to a more in-depth exam. Admissibility of all travelers is decided on a case-by-case basis and based on the information made available at the time of entry.
In support of the operation to resettle Ukrainian and Afghan nationals in Canada, the CBSA has mobilized liaison officers overseas to support where needed. This work complements the efforts done here in Canada, and we can confirm that risk assessments and security screening steps are being performed as needed.
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