Border Commercial Consultative Committee

Terms of Reference

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is committed to consulting with Canadian commercial stakeholders on its strategies, policies, operational programs and administrative procedures that govern and affect Canada's commercial trade.

The purpose of these consultations, in general terms, is to promote mutually beneficial collaboration between the CBSA and the Canadian commercial trade community on border matters to the benefit of Canada, the Canadian economy and Canada's trade sector.

To this end, the Agency has established the Border Commercial Consultative Committee (BCCC) with a mandate, membership and procedures as described below.

1. Proposed Mandate

The overall mandate of the BCCC will be to provide CBSA officials and commercial stakeholders with a forum for dialogue on Canada's border operations.

Without limiting that goal, the Committee will:

• provide commercial stakeholders with an ongoing mechanism for suggesting new ideas or raising issues or concerns regarding the strategies, policies, programs or administrative procedures of the CBSA that affect the processing of commercial goods across Canada's borders;
• provide CBSA officials with an ongoing mechanism to receive input and feedback related to, and regarding contemplated changes to, its strategies, policies, operational programs or administrative procedures that might affect the processing of commercial goods across Canada's borders; and
• provide commercial stakeholders and CBSA officials with a forum and clearing house for sharing information and views on matters relevant to the processing of commercial goods across Canada's borders.

The CBSA is committed to involving individual Canadians, program stakeholders and their intermediary organizations in the development, design and evaluation of policies, programs and services that affect them.

In carrying out this commitment, the CBSA will consult with Canadians in a manner that is timely, transparent, inclusive, accessible and meaningful. To this end, the CBSA will:

• develop and articulate clear objectives and desired outcomes for any consultative exercise;
• undertake consultations early enough in any decision-making process so that input received can be used to make informed decisions;
• allow adequate time for participation so as to ensure that participants can contribute to deliberations in an informed, thoughtful and interactive manner;
• document consultative processes, and input received, and share this information with participants to show that their views have been noted and considered; and
• respect the rights of Canadians to deal with the Government of Canada in either official language.

The Committee will play a consultative and advisory role only. The CBSA will continue to conduct its affairs and make decisions in keeping with its statutory and regulatory authorities and responsibilities.

2. Membership

• The private sector membership of the Committee will consist of representatives appointed by organizations representing Canada's commercial interests involved in transborder trade activity.
• Each organization will appoint one regular and one alternate delegate to the Committee. Only one representative from each organization will attend each meeting.
• The CBSA's Admissibility Branch will chair the Committee.
• Other CBSA and government officials will be invited, as required, to participate in Committee activities relevant to their areas of responsibility.
• The heads of the participating private sector organizations will advise the Chair in writing of the names of their designated regular and alternate members on the Committee.
• For continuity of discussions, members must commit to their attendance at BCCC meetings or name a reliable alternate.

3. Procedures

• The Committee will meet at least twice a year and as otherwise required at the call of the Chair. Should circumstances warrant, the Chair may also convene teleconferences of the Committee.
• Notices of meetings will be provided as early as possible. Agendas will be provided at least two weeks in advance of each meeting.
• Minutes and other records of the Committee will be prepared under the authority of the Chair and distributed to all members within two weeks of the meeting.
• The Committee may establish sub-committees and ad hoc committees as it sees fit and may recruit Committee members and others to serve on any such committees.
• Sub-committees will be co-chaired by a private sector representative.
• Updates on BCCC and sub-committee activities will be provided quarterly to BCCC members.
• During BCCC meetings, members of the Committee may use their official language of choice to conduct their business.

4. Administration

• The CBSA's Admissibility Branch will establish a secretariat to support the work of the Committee.