Border Strategies

In Canada, Public Safety takes a leadership role in promoting the safety and economic well-being of Canadians through supporting secure and efficient management of Canada's borders. This is done by tackling cross-border crime with law enforcement agencies and federal departments and leading ongoing dialogue between Canada and the United States on strategic and operational border policy issues.

Public Safety Canada provides federal policy leadership, coordination and coherence on a variety of border issues such as customs, immigration, and cross-border law enforcement in order to ensure that security objectives are achieved in a manner that facilitates the flow of legitimate trade and travel and reduces security related risks.

To achieve this result, Public Safety Canada develops and supports a focused border management agenda and implements cross border arrangements relating to the movements of goods and people during emergencies. Related activities include: the Beyond the Border Action Plan, border law enforcement, immigration enforcement and the Canada-United-States Cross Border Crime Forum.

Beyond the Border: A Shared Vision for Perimeter Security and Economic Competitiveness

The border partnership between Canada and the United States is built on a perimeter approach to security and economic competitiveness. In order to enhance our security and accelerate the legitimate flow of people, goods and services, the strategy works beyond the border to strengthen cooperation and pursue shared goals.

Border Law Enforcement

Through its Border Law Enforcement initiatives, Public Safety Canada provides law enforcement with the necessary tools to enhance border integrity both at and between land and marine ports of entry.

Public Safety Canada supports ongoing dialogue between Canada and the United States on strategic and operational border policy issues, develops and implements innovative cross-border law enforcement practices and models relating to the movement of goods both at and between land and marine ports of entry and provides policy advice, leadership and horizontal coordination to Public Safety Portfolio agencies and other federal departments regarding border issues.

Immigration Enforcement

Public Safety Canada provides federal policy leadership and coordination on a variety of immigration-related border issues to ensure that policies and programs help facilitate the flow of legitimate trade and travel, while ensuring that safety and security objectives are achieved.

Preclearance in Canada and the United States

Preclearance expedites the flow of legitimate travel and trade and enhances border security by identifying threats earlier in the process.

Canada United-States Cross-Border Crime Forum

The Canada-United States Cross-Border Crime Forum (CBCF) is a joint Ministerial forum hosted by Public Safety Canada, Justice Canada, the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. It brings together senior law enforcement and justice officials from various organizations in Canada and the U.S.