Report on the Beyond the Border Action Plan: Horizontal Initiative for 2011-12 and 2012-13

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On February 4, 2011, the Prime Minister of Canada and the President of the United States issued Beyond the Border: A Shared Vision for Perimeter Security and Economic Competitiveness^{Footnote 1}. The Declaration initiated a new long-term partnership between the two countries that was built upon a perimeter approach to security and economic competitiveness. Through the perimeter approach, Canada and the U.S. committed to working together at, and beyond the border, to enhance our security and accelerate the legitimate flow of people, goods and services. The Beyond the Border (BTB) Action Plan, released in December 2011, embodies this collaboration and engagement between the two countries, and sets out specific initiatives (Appendix A) to secure the Canada-U.S. border and perimeter while facilitating legitimate trade and travel.

The purpose of this report is to provide a whole-of-government perspective on performance in the implementation of the Action Plan and to document the significant progress that has been made on BTB initiatives from the announcement of the Action Plan in December 2011 to the end of the 2012-13 fiscal year (FY). Numerous departments and agencies are involved in ensuring that each Action Plan initiative is successfully implemented. Details regarding progress achieved on specific initiatives can be found in each organization's Departmental Performance Report (DPR). For more information and descriptions of Action Plan initiatives, please consult the Beyond the Border Action Plan^{Footnote 2}. This report collected information from all participating departments and agencies leading and supporting initiatives, with Public Safety Canada (PS) coordinating the exercise. While this report focuses on highlights for Canada, joint Canada-U.S. implementation reports are released annually as per the Action Plan^{Footnote 3}.

The Action Plan sets out joint priorities for achieving a secure and efficient Canada-U.S. border within four areas of cooperation: Addressing Threats Early; Trade Facilitation, Economic Growth and Jobs; Cross-Border Law Enforcement; and, Critical Infrastructure and Cyber Security. In total, 32 initiatives are listed under the four areas, with numerous Canadian departments and agencies working to ensure their successful accomplishment. Two additional initiatives are included to ensure the responsible sharing of information and to oversee the successful implementation of the Action Plan.

Figure 1: Beyond the Border Action Plan ultimate outcomes:

Theme 1 - Addressing Threats Early (Initiatives 1-11):

Addressing threats at the earliest possible point is essential to strengthening the shared security of Canada and the U.S. It will enable both countries to improve the free flow of legitimate goods and people across the Canada-United States border. The Beyond the Border Action Plan will support this goal by developing a common understanding of the threat environment; aligning and coordinating our security systems for goods, cargo and baggage; and supporting the effective identification of people who pose a threat, which will enhance safety and facilitate the movement of legitimate travellers.

Outcomes:^{Footnote 4}

Financial Table:

Theme 1 - Addressing Threats Early (Initiatives 1-11)Footnote 5

Performance Metrics

Canada and the United States share a common approach to effectively identify threats to either country (Initiatives 1-4 and 7)

Initiatives 1 (Joint Threat Assessments) and 2 (Information/Intelligence Sharing): As committed in the Action Plan, Public Safety Canada, along with the U.S. Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and in coordination with relevant intelligence agencies in both countries, produced a joint inventory of existing intelligence work and a gap analysis, and enhanced the collaborative process used to produce joint intelligence assessments. These steps resulted in new assessments and have better institutionalized analytic collaboration that will improve both ongoing and future joint intelligence products. PS and DHS also worked to enhance the understanding of each country's legal, policy and operational approaches to information sharing for national security purposes.  

Initiative 3 (Domain Awareness): To improve domain awareness in the air, land and maritime environments, during the review period, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), in collaboration with Canadian partners and in cooperation with U.S. counterparts, created and completed a full inventory of Canadian and U.S. domain awareness capabilities at the border to identify gaps and vulnerabilities. A Canadian validation exercise was completed in 2012-13 and the national RCMP Border Integrity Technology Working Group held meetings in Cornwall during which the data pertaining to existing RCMP border technology were validated and a preliminary gap analysis was conducted. By using bi-national threat and risk assessments and prioritizing coverage gaps, with a view to jointly deploying new technology to address these identified gaps, Canada and the United States are effectively identifying threats to either country.

Initiative 4 (Countering Violent Extremism): Throughout 2012-13, relevant Canadian departments and agencies collaborated with their U.S. counterparts to implement the joint countering violent extremism work plan by coordinating and sharing research, best practices and tools for law enforcement, and emphasizing community-based and community-driven efforts. This included a May 2012 meeting, coordinated by PS, of the Canada-U.S. Countering Violent Extremism Working Group that focused on the theme of building local-level capacity and empowering communities to prevent and counter violent extremism. PS and DHS presented two progress reports to the Minister of Public Safety and the Secretary of Homeland Security in September 2012 and March 2013, respectively, thereby meeting the ongoing commitment in the Action Plan.

Initiative 7 (Joint Food/Plant/Animal Assessments/Audits): The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) worked with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to better protect both countries from offshore food safety, animal and plant health risks by conducting joint assessments of plant, animal and food safety systems in third countries for the first time. Highlights from 2012-13 include joint animal health-related assessments with the USDA in Columbia and Mexico and plant health-related joint assessments in Japan and China. Through close collaboration with CFIA's U.S. counterparts, this initiative has increased the confidence in each regulatory agency's assessment processes. By sharing the results of assessments, this initiative not only offers potential future resource savings for both countries but also contributes to diminishing potential risks from entering North America.   

Ports of entry focus on high-risk goods and individuals by expediting low-risk cargo, passenger baggage and individuals entering either country (Initiatives 5, 6, 8-11)

Initiative 5 (Integrated Cargo Security): During the review period, Canada and the U.S. developed an Integrated Cargo Security Strategy (ICSS), a perimeter approach to inbound cargo security under the principle of “cleared once, accepted twice”. To inform the implementation of the ICSS, two pilots were launched by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and U.S. Customs Border Protection (CBP) which involve the two agencies collaborating to risk assess and examine offshore marine cargo arriving to the ports of Prince Rupert (marine-to-rail) and Montreal (marine-to-truck), destined to the U.S., eliminating the need for redundant inspections at the shared land border.

CBSA, in partnership with Transport Canada (TC), also launched a Pre-Load Air Cargo Targeting pilot under which air cargo destined to Canada arriving from offshore is assessed for aviation and national security purposes prior to departure, similar to a pilot the U.S. already had in place.

To further enhance perimeter security, Canada and U.S. each formally reviewed the other's national air cargo security program including: program design, regulations, oversight and compliance, as well as audit and site validation visits. As a result of this process, TC and the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) achieved mutual recognition of their respective programs effective March 31, 2012, thereby eliminating the need for re-screening of individual air cargo shipments, barring receipt of new information. CBSA and CBP also developed common sets of data elements required for in-bond (United States) / in-transit (Canada) shipments arriving from offshore and for domestic shipments which transit through the other country, limiting the data sets required to those necessary for effective, risk-based enforcement.

Initiative 6 (Passenger Baggage Screening): Eliminating unnecessary re-screening of passenger baggage is also an important initiative under the Action Plan. Canada began deployment of new Explosive Detection Systems equipment at preclearance airports in February 2012. In keeping with the Action Plan, as new technology is deployed at pre-clearance airports, the U.S. is progressively lifting the re-screening requirement.

Initiatives 8 (Electronic Travel Authorization) and 9 (Interactive Advance Passenger Information): As part of the Action Plan, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) undertook work to develop the Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) initiative in order to improve screening of all visa-exempt foreign nationals. Progress was made throughout 2012-13. Key highlights included Royal Assent to the eTA enabling legislation contained in amendments to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. Progress was also made to establish a common approach to screening travellers through the CBSA's Interactive Advance Passenger Information (IAPI) initiative, which will be implemented to make “board/no-board” decisions on all travellers flying to Canada prior to departure.

Initiative 10 (Immigration Information Sharing): In the reporting period, progress was made towards the implementation of the immigration information sharing initiative that would permit both countries to share relevant information to improve immigration and border determinations, establish and verify the identities of travellers, and provide immigration decision makers with enhanced information that will facilitate screenings at the earliest possible opportunity. The Agreement between the Government of Canada and the Government of the United States of America for the Sharing of Visa and Immigration Information (the “Treaty”) was signed on December 13, 2012, with ratification and entry into force expected in late Fall 2013. The Treaty will govern systematic information sharing between the two countries for third-country nationals who apply to either country for a visa, work or study permit or for inland asylum.

Initiative 11 (Entry/Exit Information System): Finally, Phase I of the Entry/Exit initiative, which establishes and coordinates entry and exit information systems, was carried out successfully in 2012-13. Phase I was comprised of a pilot project where data of third country nationals, permanent residents of Canada and lawful permanent residents of the U.S. were exchanged at four automated common land border ports of entry.

Theme 2 – Trade Facilitation, Economic Growth and Jobs (Initiatives 12-24):

The free flow of goods and services between Canada and the United States creates immense economic benefits for both countries. As the two countries work to strengthen the security of the shared perimeter, initiatives to create more openness at the land border for legitimate travel and trade are being pursued. The Beyond the Border Action Plan enhances the benefits of programs that help trusted businesses and travellers move efficiently across the border, introduces new measures to facilitate movement and trade across the border while reducing the administrative burden for business, and invests in improvements to the shared border infrastructure and technology.

Outcomes^{Footnote 9}:

Financial Table:

Theme 2 – Trade Facilitation, Economic Growth and Jobs (Initiatives 12-24)Footnote 10:

Performance Metrics:

Ports of entry focus on high risk goods and individuals by expediting low-risk cargo, passenger baggage and individuals entering either country (Initiatives 5, 6, 8-16 and 20, 22, 24)

Initiative 12 (Enhancing Benefits for Trusted Trader Programs): The Action Plan commits Canada and the U.S. to align and enhance the benefits of Tier I and Tier II trusted programs to further facilitate the cross-border movement of low risk trade and reduce the costs of compliance with customs requirements.

Tier I Trusted Trader Program: The CBSA and the U.S. CBP conducted detailed comparisons of Canada's Partners in Protection (PIP) program and the U.S. Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) program to identify opportunities to harmonize eligibility criteria, program requirements and operational policies and procedures.

Tier II Trusted Trader Program: The CBSA and the U.S. CBP conducted detailed comparisons of Canada's Customs Self Assessment (CSA) program and the U.S. Importer Self Assessment (ISA) program, providing the basis to explore areas to further enhance benefits to participating importers. Additionally, CBSA and CBP held two joint consultation sessions with participants on Tier II trusted trader programs to identify and assess additional ways to expedite border processes.

A number of pilots launched since the beginning of the Action Plan to expedite low-risk cargo crossing at the Canada-U.S. border were completed successfully in 2012-13. The CFIA and the CBSA completed a pilot in July 2012 to assess the feasibility of allowing non-federally registered food products such as cereals, granola bars, and chocolate chips to be eligible for the CSA program.

A pilot under the Free and Secure Trade (FAST) program, known as the FAST Expansion Pilot, was also conducted in 2012-13. The pilot operated at the Sarnia Bluewater Bridge, from October 2012 to April 2013, in order to evaluate the impact of expanding FAST benefits to organizations listed under the PIP program and CSA members, and to collect baseline data through radio frequency identification technology (RFID). For this pilot, 12 carrier companies volunteered as participants and, while there was less than the expected uptake during the pilot, it was successful in providing sufficient baseline data, such as time savings. The information collected, along with a subsequent evaluation, will provide a basis for informed decision-making related to the FAST expansion.

Initiative 13 (Increasing Harmonized Benefits to NEXUS Members): In 2012-13, Trusted Traveller programs continued to achieve success with measures intended to increase participation in the NEXUS program and increase the number of NEXUS entries into Canada. The U.S. now recognizes NEXUS membership for trusted traveller lines at pre-board screening points for flights from Canada to the United States. Canadian NEXUS members are now eligible to participate in the TSA risk-based screening program (TSA Pre✓™). Members can use this program when booking travel reservations for flights on a participating airline from a participating airport within the U.S. and to select international destinations.

In 2012-13, designated Trusted Traveller lines were present at pre-board screening checkpoints in eight major Canadian airports. At six other Canadian airports, NEXUS members accessed a dedicated entrance allowing them to proceed directly to the front of the screening line.

Total NEXUS passages in FY2012-13 were 22.5% higher than in 2011-12 (6,491,586 vs. 5,300,993). The increase in the percentage of trusted travellers has contributed to a more efficient use of CBSA's resources at ports of entry. As a result, CBSA can focus resources on higher risk travellers.

An increase in NEXUS applications (25% in 2011-12 and 7.5% in 2012-13) created a need for CBSA and the U.S. CBP to implement several joint measures, including enrolment blitzes to reduce wait times for applicants. These activities were successful in reducing, but not eliminating, lengthy wait times for applicant interviews, which totaled an average of 145 days in 2012-13.

Processes, incentives and infrastructure facilitate cross-border trade (Initiatives 12-24)

Initiative 14 (Enhancing Facilities to Support Trusted Trader and Traveller Programs): As part of its Action Plan commitments, during the review period the CBSA implemented five total additional NEXUS lanes; three in British Columbia (Pacific Highway, Douglas and Abbotsford); and two in Ontario (Sarnia and Fort Erie).

Initiative 15 (Pre-Inspection and Preclearance): On March 14, 2013, Canada and the United States signed a Memorandum of Understanding for a two-phased truck cargo pre-inspection pilot project on Canadian soil.

Initiative 16 (Facilitating the Conduct of Cross-Border Business): Under the Action Plan, the United States and Canada committed to specific measures to facilitate the conduct of cross-border business and to propose options for regular stakeholder engagement on cross-border business travel. In May 2012, the governments of Canada and the United States held joint stakeholder consultations in Washington and Toronto. Stakeholders were also invited to submit online suggestions and comments and a summary of the consultations was published.

Progress has been made on each of these Action Plan measures including the training of front-line officers to improve the consistency of border determinations, changes to the NEXUS client profile to allow for the incorporation of work permit information, and changes to existing rules authorizing temporary entry of business visitors who provide after-sale service, so they apply equally to those who provide after-lease service as per designated contractual agreements.

Initiative 17 (Single Window): The CBSA, in collaboration with nine other participating government departments and agencies (PGAs) and in consultation with industry, established the foundation – including business and user requirements – needed to, over the next three years, fully automate and expedite border-related decisions on goods subject to PGA regulatory requirements as well as provide PGAs with ex-post facto data without creating a new administrative burden to industry.

Initiative 18 (Harmonizing Low Value Shipment Thresholds): On January 8, 2013, CBSA and CBP concurrently increased their low value shipment thresholds to $2,500, from the existing level of $1,600 in Canada and $2,000 in the U.S., thereby fulfilling an Action Plan commitment. With this initiative, a greater number of commercial shipments can now be processed through the expedited and simplified Postal and Courier Low Value Shipment Programs, thereby improving both processing times and cost savings for the importing community. It is estimated that an average of 125,000 additional shipments per month could be processed through the expedited and simplified Courier Low Value Shipments and Postal Programs. In addition, Canada increased the low-value shipment threshold to $2,500 for exemption from North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Certificate of Origin requirements, aligning it with the current threshold of the U.S.

Initiative 19 (Accountability for Border Fees/Charges): To bring greater public transparency and accountability to the application of fees and charges at the Canada-U.S. border, Public Safety Canada and U.S. Customs and Border Protection assembled preliminary inventories of fees charged at the border. Preparatory work was completed with U.S. and other Government of Canada departments and agencies, and stakeholders to proceed with an economic impact assessment of border fees on three industry sectors.

Initiative 20 (Expanding and Upgrading Infrastructure at Key Crossings): To further reduce wait times, in 2012-13, major infrastructure investments of up to $47 million were announced for the key border crossing of Lacolle, Quebec. As part of the initiative to upgrade and expand infrastructure at key crossings, TC, CBSA, the U.S. Department of Transportation and CBP developed the first-ever bi-national Border Infrastructure Investment Plan (BIIP).

Initiative 21 (Coordinating Investments at Small and Remote Ports of Entry): The Canada-U.S. Small Ports Working Group (SPWG) was established with members from the CBSA and CBP. The SPWG identified a list of 62 ports of entry for consideration under this initiative. A Canada-U.S. Work Plan for the Development of the Small and Remote Ports Joint Action Plan was included as part of the inaugural Border Infrastructure Investment Plan (BIIP), fulfilling the initial commitment for the joint development of joint action plans for small and remote ports.

Initiative 22 (Deploying Border Wait-Time Technology and Establishing Wait-Time Service Levels): Both CBSA and CBP met the Action Plan commitment to publish service level standards on their websites by June 2012. Transport Canada announced the launch of new border wait-time measurement systems at the Peace and Queenston-Lewiston bridges on July 17, 2012. U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Peace Bridge Authority, the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission and the Niagara International Transportation Technology Coalition began providing real-time border wait time information on their websites in FY2012-13.

Initiative 23 (Installing RFID Technology): Under the Action Plan, Canada committed to the installation of RFID technology at appropriate crossings to align with existing U.S. investments. The CBSA continues to work towards the implementation of RFID-enabled lanes as committed in the Action Plan in order to facilitate secure passage and expedite border crossing.

Initiative 24 (Organizing Bi-National Port Operations Committees): Eight Bi-National Port Operations Committees (BPOCs) were established in early 2012 at each of the Canadian airports that provide U.S. preclearance, in addition to the 20 BPOCs established in 2011 at land border ports of entry. These individual BPOCs completed their Action Plans by March 31, 2012, and report excellent communication and cooperation in all of their joint engagements. Where partnerships are practical and permissible under current legislation, joint standard operating procedures (SOPs) have been written. As per the Action Plan commitment, the first year-end joint review of the BPOCs was completed by December 2012.

Theme 3 – Cross-Border Law Enforcement (Initiatives 25 and 26):

Canada and the United States have developed successful models for preventing criminals from crossing the border to escape justice. The Shiprider pilot program, for example, employs cross-designated officers to patrol the maritime areas between our two countries, while Integrated Border Enforcement Teams and Border Enforcement Security Task Forces support joint investigations and law enforcement action at and between ports of entry. The Action Plan moves forward with new initiatives that build on these successful law enforcement programs.

Outcomes:

Financial Table:

Theme 3 – Cross-Border Law Enforcement (Initiatives 25 and 26) ^{Footnote 14}

Performance Metrics:

Canada and the United States cooperate on national security and transnational criminal investigations (Initiatives 24-26)

Initiative 25 (Pursuing National Security and Transnational Criminal Investigations): The Action Plan includes measures to facilitate a partnership between Canada and the U.S. with respect to national security and transnational criminal investigations. On June 29, 2012, legislation to implement the Framework Agreement to govern regularized Shiprider operations received Royal Assent. The legislation was ratified in August 2012 and Shiprider operations were regularized in British Columbia/Washington and Windsor/Detroit in June 2013. In 2012-13, fourteen additional RCMP officers completed the training for Shiprider Operations, and a total of 66 Canadian officers were cross-designated for Shiprider and Next Generation Operations. The program architecture and standard operating procedures for Next Generation pilot operations were largely finalized by September 2012. Deployment has been postponed, however, pending bilateral resolution of key outstanding legal and operational issues.

Initiative 26 (Radio Interoperability): A bi-national radio interoperability system between Canadian and U.S. border enforcement personnel was also introduced to permit law enforcement agencies to coordinate effective bi-national investigations, to allow for timely responses to border incidents, and to improve both officer and public safety. There was successful radio communications between U.S. and Canadian field staff via the Canadian National Operations Centre (NOC), the RCMP's Border Integrity Operations Centre (BIOC) and the U.S. border law enforcement facilities located in Blaine, Washington. In addition, one of the eight interconnect dispatch locations on both sides of the Canada-U.S. border was successfully connected to increase “between the ports” communication in 2012-13 (BIOC to Blaine).

Theme 4 – Critical Infrastructure and Cyber Security (Initiatives 27-32):

Canada and the United States are connected by critical infrastructure — from bridges and roads to energy infrastructure and cyberspace. The Beyond the Border Action Plan includes measures to enhance the resilience of shared critical and cyber infrastructure and to enable the two countries to rapidly respond to and recover from disasters and emergencies on either side of the border.

Outcomes:

Financial Table:

Theme 4 – Critical Infrastructure and Cyber Security (Initiatives 27-32)

Performance Metrics:

Canada and the United States share a common approach to protect Critical Infrastructure and Cyberspace (Initiatives 27-29)

Initiative 27 (Enhancing Cross-Border Critical Infrastructure and Resilience): The Action Plan puts forth measures to enhance the resilience of shared Canada-United States critical and cyber infrastructure, and aims to establish a common and coordinated approach to protecting these systems of bi-national importance. In 2012-13, PS, in partnership with DHS, launched the cross-border pilot Regional Resilience Assessment Program (RRAP) in Maine/New Brunswick. The RRAP was implemented in an effort to bringtogether regional officials and private sector stakeholders to assess infrastructure of bi-national importance, analyze interdependencies and risks, and address identified gaps. PS and DHS also established the Virtual Risk Analysis Cell (VRAC) interagency organization to conduct joint risk analyses, develop collaborative cross-border analytical products and share methodologies and best practices to enhance critical infrastructure resilience.

Initiative 28 (Government and Digital Infrastructure): In the area of cybersecurity, PS and DHS co-authored and signed the Cybersecurity Action Plan^{Footnote 24}, which aims to strengthen cyber security cooperation through enhanced integration and collaboration for joint cyber security activities. This Action Plan represents just one of many important efforts between the U.S. and Canada to deepen strong bilateral cyber security cooperation and advance the objectives articulated in the Action Plan. PS and DHS have also been delivering joint briefings and Industrial Control System workshops to the private sector as many entities have assets and interests in both the U.S. and Canada. Furthermore, joint engagement with the private sector leverages, where possible, established Critical Infrastructure Sector Networks, thus streamlining public-private partnerships and collaboration for the shared responsibility of cyber security.

At the operational level, the Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERT) of both nations: U.S.-CERT, Industrial Control Systems or ICS-CERT (U.S.), and the Canadian Cyber Incidence Response Centre (CCIRC), now regularly communicate to share threat information and strategies aimed at improving cyber resilience of critical infrastructure. Protocols have also been aligned to be effective when responding to a reported cyber-attack and, joint products have been disseminated to stakeholders in both countries to identify best practices and increase awareness of cyber security issues.

Initiative 29 (Expanding Joint Leadership on International Cybersecurity Efforts): An open, safe, and trusted cyberspace is essential to Canada's competitive advantage in the global marketplace, and our international outreach reflects these objectives. Canada participated in several international activities over the last year to advance joint leadership on international cyber security efforts. Of note was Canada's participation in a study committee comprised of 15 nations that drafted recommendations to the Secretary General of the United Nations regarding threats to international cyberspace. While this is the third study on cyber security that has been convened by the United Nations over the past decade, the 2013 study is noteworthy as it was the first time a consensus was reached with respect to international law as it applies in cyberspace. Achieving this milestone had been a key objective of both the Canadian and American delegations.

Canada and the United States can rapidly respond to and recover from disasters and emergencies on either side of the border (Initiatives 30-32)

Canada's ongoing efforts to advance an integrated and multi-jurisdictional approach to managing border traffic during emergencies. Through the BTB Action Plan, measures are also being put in place to develop a joint cross-border approach to expedite maritime commerce recovery after a major disruption. In 2012-13, TC and the U.S. Coast Guard, in consultation with other government departments and industry stakeholders in both countries, developed planning guides, communications and information sharing protocols to support the recovery of maritime trade following an emergency in the Canadian-U.S. Pacific Region. In the Pacific Region, the Pacific Northwest Economic Region (PNWER), through its Center for Regional Disaster Resilience (CRDR), was identified as the appropriate forum for this work. These efforts were validated in October 2012 through a bi-national table-top exercise.

Initiative 31 (Enhancing Preparedness for Health Security Threats): The Action Plan established the Health Security Working Group (HSWG) to enhance collective preparedness for health-security threats. The HSWG has been working to develop and implement joint measures to reduce potential impacts of shared health-security risks and has established a two-year work plan outlining specific deliverables in areas such as risk assessment, information exchange, cross-border health-security partnerships and health emergency interoperability.

Initiative 32 (Emergency Management CBRNE and Interoperability): Two additional working groups were created to jointly improve the ability of Canada and the U.S. to prepare for and respond to bi-national disasters. The CBRNE Working Group and the Canada-United States Communications Interoperability Working Group (CIWG) were put in place to explore ways to bolster cross-border situational awareness and sharing of alerts and warnings, as well as facilitating the movement of emergency responders across the border. In 2012, these respective working groups developed five-year work plans that establish a number of deliverables, including: creating joint training and exercise opportunities, exchanging information, and sharing lessons learned and best practices. In March 2013, the CIWG conducted a technology demonstration, called the Canada-U.S. Enhanced Resiliency Experiment (CAUSE) which successfully tested the interoperability of the Canadian Multi-Agency Situational Awareness System (MASAS)^{Footnote 26}, the American Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS)^{Footnote 27} and the Virtual USA Platform^{Footnote 28}. Specifically, this exercise tested the state of emergency communications interoperability between Maine and New Brunswick. Moreover, the CIWG implemented a SharePoint site for its members to improve interoperability and both countries have begun engaging stakeholders at all levels of government to better map cross-border interoperability initiatives.

Managing our New Long-Term Partnership (Initiatives 33 and 34):

Financial Table:

Governance to oversee the successful implementation and to maintain transparency and accountability

Initiative 33 (BTB Governance and Oversight): As committed to in the Action Plan, in 2012-13, a joint Canada-U.S. Executive Steering Committee was created to oversee and monitor progress on the implementation of the Action Plan initiatives and to identify areas of further work. To ensure efforts within the Government of Canada – and between the Government of Canada and the United States Government – are well coordinated, and to identify, and respond to, potential issues with Action Plan initiatives, the Border Implementation Team was established, reporting to the Prime Minister through the Clerk of the Privy Council. This Team works through the Deputy Ministers' and the Assistant Deputy Ministers' Core Border Committees. The committees met on a biweekly basis in 2012, and on a monthly basis in 2013. This focused senior management attention has permitted timely response and feedback on issues as they arise, the development and oversight of a coherent approach to assessing progress, and monitoring of the application of privacy principles.

Privacy principles to inform and guide information- and intelligence-sharing under the BTB Action Plan

Initiative 34 (Developing a Statement of Privacy Principles and Practices): Responsible sharing of personal information between Canada and the U.S., in accordance with the domestic laws of both countries, is a cornerstone of the Action Plan. An early deliverable under the Plan was the Canada–U.S. Joint Statement of Privacy Principles^{Footnote 29}, released in June 2012. The 12 principles cover the provision, receipt, and use of personal information exchanged by Canada and the United States pursuant to any information-sharing arrangements and initiatives under the Action Plan, are consistent with domestic privacy laws in both countries, and were inspired in part by international standards and guidelines on privacy (OECD, EU-U.S.)^{Footnote 30}. To date, the principles have been concretely applied to a number of arrangements, including Phase I of Entry/Exit^{Footnote 31} and the Agreement between the Government of Canada and the Government of the United States of America for the Sharing of Visa and Immigration Information^{Footnote 32}.

Conclusion:

The purpose of this report is to provide a horizontal perspective of departmental performance against Action Plan deliverables. Significant progress has been achieved on all themes of the Action Plan, and as more initiatives are implemented, plans and progress will be tracked in upcoming Reports on Plans and Priorities (RPP) and Departmental Performance Reports (DPR). Public Safety Canada will continue to work with participating departments and agencies to collect the performance and financial information and to report on overall plans and progress.

Many of the performance measures listed in this report will serve as a baseline to gauge the progress achieved against outcomes of the Action Plan. Accordingly, indicators will be tracked until DPR FY2015-16. Where new data are created and captured to track progress directly, some of the indicators will be replaced by others that are more reflective of the outcome being tracked in order to continually improve performance monitoring and reporting.

Departments and agencies involved in the implementation of Action Plan initiatives have been working closely with their U.S. counterparts in ensuring the success of each initiative. While this report for 2012-13 focuses on Canadian efforts to ensure the success of the Action Plan, the first annual joint Canada-U.S. implementation report was published in December 2012. The Action Plan commits the two governments to report annually on implementation.

Appendix A – Beyond the Border Action Plan Initiatives:

Note: Shared Services Canada is a key partner to both lead and contributing departments/agencies in supporting Beyond the Border information technology infrastructure requirements.

Date modified:

2018-01-31