Evidence of meeting #11 for Public Accounts in the 41st Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was cbsa.
A video is available from Parliament.
4:45 p.m.
NDP
The Chair NDP David Christopherson
There's a little bit of flexibility in terms of what we talk about here. It's at the discretion of the chair. You're still colouring within the lines, as far as I'm concerned. Continue.
4:45 p.m.
Liberal
4:45 p.m.
NDP
The Chair NDP David Christopherson
You're almost out of time, so there you go: good news, bad news.
Make it real, real quick, please.
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Liberal
Scott Simms Liberal Bonavista—Gander—Grand Falls—Windsor, NL
It has been a pleasure talking to you, but I think I'll just leave it at that.
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NDP
The Chair NDP David Christopherson
Thank you, because I let you slip past, actually. I appreciate that.
Mr. Van Kesteren, sir, you have the floor.
4:45 p.m.
Conservative
Dave Van Kesteren Conservative Chatham-Kent—Essex, ON
Thank you, Chair.
Thanks to all of you for being here. As was so aptly pointed out by the chair, this is not my regular committee, so I'm going to take a little bit of liberty and ask a question which I think most Canadians would ask. I'm going to go to the CBSA.
You know, I've watched The Bourne Identity, and I know how the crooks get in. When I go to the airport, though, there's one thing that really, really bothers me. When I speak to friends and other people who travel, it bothers them, too. That's how the CBSA really does a good job of shaking down the grannies. I'm curious about that.
Am I missing something or is this something that...? Are we afraid to stereotype? Is that the problem? It just strikes me as odd. Oftentimes somebody will go through and you'll think, “What in the heck are they doing checking that person?” Are we missing something? Is this a problem area where you have drugs or something else going through? I wonder if you could answer that question.
4:50 p.m.
Vice-President, Operations Branch, Canada Border Services Agency
Are you referring to the fact that we sometimes select somebody you would not select for a secondary examination?
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Conservative
Dave Van Kesteren Conservative Chatham-Kent—Essex, ON
Yes. I'm asking as a Canadian. I think the folks back home want to know this. Is this something that's really necessary? Are we missing something? I was speaking to my colleague about best practices. I know in Israel, for instance, they have a different approach. I'm just curious. Is this an art that we're developing? Are we getting better at it, or is it still something that's untested?
4:50 p.m.
Vice-President, Operations Branch, Canada Border Services Agency
I believe we are getting better at it. It's a lot different from when I started 25 years ago. Working the front line with no supporting system, interacting with the travellers, that was my training. Today, officers interact with people, but the risk assessment is done well in advance.
Also, today a traveller showing up at an airport can use an automated border clearance kiosk instead of interacting with an officer. It is necessary to monitor compliance. Not everybody referred for a secondary examination is suspected of being a drug smuggler. Some people need to make a declaration. We need to document their passage. There are plenty of reasons why somebody would be referred for a secondary examination.
4:50 p.m.
Conservative
Dave Van Kesteren Conservative Chatham-Kent—Essex, ON
I have another question I really need to have answered. I know there's a fine line. You have a tough job. You're protecting Canadians. You're protecting the interests of the nation. By the same token, you're the first line for visitors. How do you balance that? How do you keep a demeanour that is both welcoming and protective?
4:50 p.m.
Vice-President, Operations Branch, Canada Border Services Agency
It goes to the training of our officers. We put a lot of emphasis on service. The interaction with an officer lasts 45 to 55 seconds. There are a ton of things that the officer needs to assess in a manner that is respectful and also in line with the Canadian way of doing things.
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Conservative
Dave Van Kesteren Conservative Chatham-Kent—Essex, ON
For instance, do you send in people to assess how the job was carried out?
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Vice-President, Operations Branch, Canada Border Services Agency
We assess the performance of our officers regularly. There are clear expectations on how they should conduct themselves. That's why we have managers making sure that the officers are meeting those requirements.
4:50 p.m.
Conservative
Dave Van Kesteren Conservative Chatham-Kent—Essex, ON
I don't know if this needs to go to the RCMP or to you, but years back we had some issue with boat people. We were quite successful because we concentrated on the port of entry as well as the port of export.
Can you elaborate on how that's been successful and where that's going now?
4:50 p.m.
Vice-President, Operations Branch, Canada Border Services Agency
I'll speak for CBSA. Both organizations have a fairly robust network abroad of officers who are engaged with foreign entities and foreign law enforcement. This enables us to gather intelligence and allows us to be one step ahead instead of one step behind. It's a very dynamic environment, and intelligence is a big part of what we do.
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Conservative
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NDP
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NDP
Malcolm Allen NDP Welland, ON
Thank you, Chair. I'd like to start with Superintendent Slinn. I believe it's called an integrated—
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Director General, Support Services for Federal Policing, Royal Canadian Mounted Police
The enforcement team.
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NDP
Malcolm Allen NDP Welland, ON
Yes. Could you do a quick overview of exactly what that is? I have a vision in my mind because I live in Niagara, so I think I know what it is.
Can you give me 20 seconds' worth of what it is?
4:55 p.m.
Director General, Support Services for Federal Policing, Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Integrated border enforcement teams involve five key partners. In Canada, it's the CBSA and the RCMP. In the U.S., it's the Coast Guard, CBP, Customs and Border Protection, and DHS , Department of Homeland Security. There are 22 or 23 teams across the country. They operate under a joint management structure where there are representatives from all those core agencies. They analyze intelligence and then target the threats on both sides of the border that both sides agree are using the border as a means to exploit. It's been very successful.
4:55 p.m.
NDP
Malcolm Allen NDP Welland, ON
In the case of Niagara, do you use the regional police force there at all?
4:55 p.m.
Director General, Support Services for Federal Policing, Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Yes, they could be used on a case-by-case basis. They're not generally core partners but they will be invited. We believe in an integrated approach to fighting crime and you have to use the police force of jurisdiction because oftentimes they have better intelligence than, say, the RCMP or CBSA. It's a critical piece.