Canada's CBSA Outlines Priorities, Projected Budgets for Next Three Years
The Canada Border Services Agency recently released its 2014-15 Report on Plans and Priorities. The report includes expenditure plans for each department within CBSA for the next three years, and is meant to assist the Canadian Parliament in setting the agency’s budget. The agency projects its spending to fall from about $1.9 million in 2013-14 to $1.73 million in 2014-15, $1.65 in 2015-16, and $1.55 million in 2016-16. It also includes information on CBSA’s general priorities and areas of risk. The report identifies four priorities for CBSA going forward (the following only includes information on trade priorities):
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Secure the border strategically. In its report, CBSA said it “will continue to capitalize on existing partnerships to improve the facilitation of goods across the border for Canadians and stakeholders while employing effective tools to determine admissibility.” To that end, the agency will continue implementation of the National Targeting Business Model; support finalization of a new deal with the U.S. to cover land, ocean, and rail pre-clearance; and continue implementation of the Advance Commercial Information (ACI) requirements for cargo conveyance, crew, and importer advance data in eManifest.
Streamline the border experience. CBSA remains committed to minimizing delays for low-cost travelers and goods, while “optimizing measures to intercept inadmissible goods and people in all modes of travel,” it said. CBSA said it will continue to strive for “client service excellence” by: jointly planning investments and enhancing service along the U.S.-Canada border under the Beyond the Border Action Plan; modernize and optimize systems and processes for assessing and collecting of importer revenues and reporting on revenue and trade data under the Assessment and Revenue Management (CARM) project; and ensuring that Canadian importers have ready access to information about Canada’s trade laws, regulations and policies in order to promote self-compliance.
Advance global border management. The report says CBSA will leverage relationships with international partners through bilateral relations and engagement through multilateral fora. To meet this goal, CBSA will: build and maintain partnerships through its International Network; strengthen international relationships with border agencies to promote facilitation of trade and travel; and support Canada’s free trade agreement negotiations.
Strengthen organization resilience. CBSA said it will continue to improve its organization resilience through agile business processes, improve frontline service delivery, and maintain modern infrastructure and employee excellence.