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September 2011

CBSA: Ten-Year Look Back Since 9/11

Protecting Canada's border

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) plays a vital role at the border, protecting Canadians against external threats including terrorism. The Agency takes this responsibility seriously and is committed to keeping our communities safe by preventing high-risk people and goods from entering the country. 

The September 11, 2001, attacks in the United States had an indelible impact on our nation. Canada's integrated response to those events ultimately led to the creation of the CBSA in 2003. It brought together Canada's key border security and intelligence functions, as well as relevant powers and authorities previously carried out by three Government of Canada organizations: the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency, Citizenship and Immigration Canada, and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Since its inception, the CBSA has worked to build a stronger, smarter border.

Impact of 9/11

The events of 9/11 irrevocably changed the border environment for Canada. In their aftermath, the federal government emphasized that protecting Canadians was its highest priority by investing resources to, among other things, enhance our country's capacity for border management. This responsibility became the mandate of the CBSA.

Though not all of the Agency's initiatives are a direct result of 9/11, many of its current priorities emerged from the desire to reduce threats and prevent further attacks. In particular, targeting high-risk people and goods before they reach the border has become a central priority for the Agency. To accomplish this, the CBSA:

• Operates a national risk assessment center running 24 hours a day, seven days a week to process information and intelligence on possible threats in one place. This information is then shared throughout the Agency and with other law enforcement partners in Canada and the United States.
  (Fact Sheet: National Risk Assessment Center)
• Performs risk assessments on passenger and cargo manifests in advance of reaching the border. The requirement for advanced information allows analysts and border services officers time to review it for threats such as criminality or links to terrorist activity. 
  (Fact Sheets: Advance Commercial Information; Advance Passenger Information/Passenger Name Record; eManifest)
• Employs technology to target and prevent high-risk cargo from entering Canada, whether by sea, air or on land.
  (Fact Sheets: Radiation Detection Technology; Contraband Detection)

Continental collaboration

In the years following 9/11, the CBSA has collaborated closely with its U.S. counterparts to identify and close gaps in security across the border, from both a traveller and trade perspective. A number of joint agreements and initiatives have been introduced on both sides of the border to work towards an environment of mutually seamless border management.

• In 2010, the United States and Canada co-published the Joint Border Threat and Risk Assessment report, which outlines the greatest threats to our countries.
• The NEXUS program is a joint venture which pre-screens and pre-approves low-risk passengers and provides expedited clearance to them when crossing the border. NEXUS is a mechanism for both governments to facilitate travel and focus resources on high-risk threats.
• Like NEXUS is for passengers, the Free and Secure Trade (FAST) cargo pre-clearance program allows legitimate trade to cross the border by low-risk, secure supply chain partners.
• A number of joint security initiatives such as cross-border intelligence sharing, and the Integrated Border Enforcement Teams (IBETs) allow border officials on both sides to participate in counter-threat operations affecting both Canada and the United States.  The IBETs make sure the border stays open to business, but closed to crime. Similarly, the CBSA has been working with its U.S. counterpart on the Border Enforcement Security Task Force (BEST) Initiative. With BEST, Canadian border investigator and intelligence experts work with U.S. teams to fight organized crime operating on both sides of the border.
• The CBSA also works with other government departments to track sources of proceeds from crime or terrorist activity and keep these funds from entering the country. A recent agreement between the CBSA and U.S. border agencies has created a protocol for sharing information after intercepting such funds.

Today's border and the way forward

Canada's legacy from the events of 9/11 is the creation of an agency that helps to ensure the security and prosperity of our country. Today at the border, travellers benefit from advances in passenger processing and technology to get them where they need to go, faster and with less overall risk to security. Supply chain partners benefit from similar programs and technology to help keep the lines of trade open yet safe from abuse by outside threats.

As we move forward, the CBSA will continue to work towards keeping the border open to legitimate trade and travel but closed to terrorists, criminals and threats to our health and safety. This goal will be strengthened by Canada–U.S. cooperation in the Shared Vision for Perimeter Security and Economic Competitiveness.

For more information on the Government of Canada's response to 9/11, visit the Public Safety Web site at www.publicsafety.gc.ca/september11.