Customs Services

The expected outcome of the Customs Services business line is that Canadians' health, safety, security, and business interests are protected, and Canada's economic growth is supported, through responsible border and trade management.

Over the past decade, we have managed workload increases through the steady adoption of new technologies and the introduction of process innovations. For example, electronic data interchange with importers, brokers, and carriers has enabled us to release commercial shipments almost immediately upon arrival at the border, and CANPASS has helped us reach our border crossing wait time goals of no more than 10 minutes on weekdays, and 20 minutes on weekends and holidays.

However, the environment in which we operate can be highly volatile, with acceptable risk thresholds changing swiftly as new threats emerge or change in magnitude. Nothing demonstrates this more clearly than the events of September 11th and their aftermath. Adjustments to our border presence were made to respond to the immediate need for heightened security. Security-related initiatives in our Customs Action Plan were accelerated. Funding increases in the 2001 Budget Plan cleared the way for the purchase of additional x-ray machines and ion scanners to detect dangerous shipments. These initiatives and other efforts are strengthening our security while maintaining the flow of legitimate trade and travel, both of which are vital for Canada's continued economic stability.

Meanwhile, the CCRA's first Annual Report pointed to the need for more rigour in defining Customs' compliance priorities and measuring performance. To achieve better performance measurement, in 2002-2003 we will begin to replace our core operations management information system and upgrade our data collection systems with better technology, more flexible reports, and more reliable data capture methods.

While we will keep a strong focus on business transformation, it will be important to keep core operations on track in order to be vigilant in responding to the heightened terrorist threat.

Finally, while we will keep a strong focus on business transformation, it will be important to keep core operations on track in order to be vigilant in responding to the heightened terrorist threat, and to continue the implementation of a number of specific initiatives, including Firearms Licensing and Registration, new Customs Officer Powers over criminal offences such as impaired driving and child abduction, and a currency reporting regime to help combat money laundering and the financing of terrorist activities.

To deliver the anticipated results and meet the success criteria we have established for our Customs services, the effective management of human resources is critical. Our most immediate priority over the planning period is to recruit and train new customs staff to meet heightened security requirements as well as to support the full implementation of Officer Powers.

The following table shows success criteria, including quantitative and qualitative targets, that have been developed for the customs services line. These criteria will be expanded and refined over the coming year to enable us to better assess our results.

Expected outcome - Canadians' health, safety, security, and business interests are protected, and Canada's economic growth is supported, through responsible border and trade management

Date modified:

2002-03-21