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.
Executive Director, Enforcement and Intelligence Programs, Canada Border Services Agency
We can certainly provide that to the committee.
Conservative
Executive Director, Enforcement and Intelligence Programs, Canada Border Services Agency
I don't.
Conservative
Stephen Woodworth Conservative Kitchener Centre, ON
I understand as well that advance notifications might be entered in one or both of two computer systems, the field operational support system, FOSS, and the integrated customs enforcement system, ICES. Will the new lookouts action plan result in those advance notifications being entered in both of those systems so they can be tracked appropriately?
Vice-President, Operations Branch, Canada Border Services Agency
Maybe we can ask my colleague, Mr. Chénier.
Maurice Chénier Vice-President, Information, Science and Technology Branch, Canada Border Services Agency
Mr. Chair, definitely right now the agency is using the field operational support system, in which we store part of the immigration information system. We also use other agency systems to actually provide additional information needed to do full risk assessment.
When we look at the replacement of the FOSS, which is targeted to be done for December 2014, the agency is currently looking at a plan to centralize all of the lookout information into one information base during 2014. Right now we are on plan to actually deliver design in the requirement for March 2014. In the meantime, the agency will continue to use the FOSS and the ICES to manage both kinds of information.
Conservative
Stephen Woodworth Conservative Kitchener Centre, ON
Will all of these lookouts be entered in both system, or will it continue to be the case that someone would have to check each of them in order to be sure they didn't miss one?
Vice-President, Information, Science and Technology Branch, Canada Border Services Agency
Until we have the new system in place, which will be probably later in 2014, they will continue to be entered in both systems, which is the current practice, to make sure we have information continuing in both systems.
Conservative
Stephen Woodworth Conservative Kitchener Centre, ON
I also have some questions regarding what I think I heard earlier about the development of a national targeting centre in response to the 2007 audit.
I'll begin by asking if you can tell me when the national targeting centre became fully operational.
Vice-President, Operations Branch, Canada Border Services Agency
It opened on April 1, 2012. The approach was to transfer what initially was done in the regions phase by phase to the national targeting centre. That transition is still continuing. Because it was a new centre, we wanted to ensure we had the proper procedure in place to do a good job in risk assessing, both people and goods. It's still ongoing.
Conservative
Vice-President, Operations Branch, Canada Border Services Agency
I don't have the specific date, but I could provide that to the committee.
Conservative
Stephen Woodworth Conservative Kitchener Centre, ON
How many personnel are employed in the national targeting centre? Are you able to tell me?
Vice-President, Operations Branch, Canada Border Services Agency
I would also provide you with that answer. I don't have it with me.
Conservative
Stephen Woodworth Conservative Kitchener Centre, ON
The point I come away with, though, is this is still a work in progress, and the full impact and benefit of it has not yet been felt, but will soon be felt. Is that correct?
Vice-President, Operations Branch, Canada Border Services Agency
I think it has been felt, and it will only get better.
Conservative
Stephen Woodworth Conservative Kitchener Centre, ON
Thank you very much.
I heard a figure mentioned earlier about 100,000 files being reviewed. I think it was Ms. Soper who mentioned that. I was thinking it might be the total number of lookouts you have on record, but I don't know. I wonder if you can elaborate on what that is about.
Vice-President, Operations Branch, Canada Border Services Agency
It is. It's the number of files we had in our lookout database. Every single file was reviewed to make sure they were still accurate and they needed to remain active in our system.
NDP
The Chair NDP David Christopherson
You're welcome.
Colleagues, that wraps up our questions and comments, and gives a close to the hearing.
First off, again—
NDP
Alain Giguère NDP Marc-Aurèle-Fortin, QC
Mr. Chair, excuse me. Just a few moments please.
My colleague Mr. Woodworth and I asked some questions and we would like some follow-up on them.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police was supposed to provide information on why medical files of Canadian citizens were transferred. Will you do that follow-up yourself or do we need to draft a question for the RCMP? Could you tell me what the steps are? My colleague Mr. Woodsworth also asked for information on that subject.
The Chair NDP David Christopherson
Fair questions.
My understanding of the question Mr. Woodworth was asking was that I was seeing quick nods from Monsieur Bolduc, who is now nodding again—
NDP
The Chair NDP David Christopherson
—saying that he was in the affirmative, saying he can get that.
On your issue, and I stand to be corrected, but what I heard the witnesses say was that they weren't familiar with the details of what you were raising, and therefore it would logically be impossible for them to comment.
My remarks at the end were that if you wanted to follow up you should provide them with some details, ask some questions, and hopefully you will get as fulsome a response as you would like to see.
That's kind of where I see it right now. Is that fair?