Transport committee  Thank you for your question in terms of the risk-based approach that CBSA uses. This approach is the foundation of CBSA in order to get enough information on an individual, a company or a commodity, and to assess that through various means in terms of looking at various enforcement databases to understand what level of risk there is with that individual or company or those goods.

Transport committee  No.

Transport committee  First, on the NEXUS program, it's going to continue to build on the 25,000 applications we get every month to continue that outreach in educating people that this is a more effective and efficient way to cross the border. Any time CBSA gets pre-arrival information, we can assess risk before the people arrive in the country.

Transport committee  As you are well aware, the pre-clearance agreement was discussed in 2015, I believe. We are making strides with the Americans in order to move that program forward. I can't say where we're going to be in five years from now, but I can say that if you can determine that a truckload and a driver are low risk, then that truck should freely move over the border.

Transport committee  In answering your question, I believe what you're referring to is “thickening” of the border, or increased border wait times. I think there are a few areas I can approach to respond to that question. One is, as I mentioned, about resources. Since April 2017 we have had approximately 130 new recruits come into the region.

Transport committee  Thank you for the question. In terms of the NEXUS process—and I do believe that's what you're referring to—is this in terms of NEXUS processing or just in general?

Transport committee  In terms of legalization of cannabis, what's happening is that there's really been no change at the border. It is illegal to import and be in possession of marijuana when you arrive in Canada. The first thing that I would say is that all goods need to be declared by people coming into the country.

Transport committee  I can't speak on behalf of the United States Customs and Border Protection, so I can't speak to their policies. What I can say is that the various levels of government are talking about movement and declaration of goods across the border and issues around cannabis. That's the best I can respond to that question, as an operational director.

Transport committee  Sure.

Transport committee  I think I just got the consensus here. Good afternoon, Madam Chair and members of the committee. I am Richard Comerford, regional director general for the Canada Border Service Agency, southern Ontario region. Thanks for giving me the opportunity today to provide an overview of CBSA operations here in southern Ontario.