2019 to 2020 Departmental Results Report: Canada Border Services Agency
Supplementary information tables

Response to parliamentary committees and external audits

Response to parliamentary committees

During fiscal year 2019 to 2020, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) supported Government responses to 3 reports tabled by parliamentary committees:

1. In , the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights tabled its twenty-fourth report entitled "Moving Forward in the Fight Against Human Trafficking in Canada." On , the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, the Minister of Border Security and Organized Crime Reduction, and the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada tabled the Government's Response which addressed the Committee's 17 recommendations in detail. Of the 17 recommendations outlined in the report, the CBSA was implicated in Recommendation 3 regarding the prevention of the victimization of migrant workers, as well as Recommendation 12 regarding reporting requirements for organizations hosting special events as these events could contribute to potential situations of sexual exploitation. In its response, the Government outlined its pre-existing and robust programs and services in place which address the majority of the Committee's concerns mentioned in the report. The CBSA was not required to take any action to address the aforementioned recommendations. The Government's Response is available on the Committee's website.

2. In , the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities tabled its twenty-seventh report entitled "Interim Report on Establishing a Canadian Transportation and Logistics Strategy." The Government's Response was tabled on , in which the Minister of Transport addressed the Committee's 31 recommendations using nine different themes. Of the 31 recommendations outlined in the report, the CBSA was implicated in Recommendation 8 (operational challenges at the border related to balancing the need for security at border crossings with the expedient processing of goods and travellers), Recommendation 9 (expansion of the Trusted Traveller and Trusted Trader programs), and Recommendation 10 (implementation of a pre-approval program for expedited security processing), all of which are addressed in the fifth theme of the Government's Response (border fluidity and entry into Canadian waters). In response to these recommendations, the Government outlined the CBSA's ongoing efforts to monitor, review and improve its existing programs, while exploring the possibility of implementing new programs. The CBSA was not required to take any specific action to address the recommendations outlined in the report, given ongoing work on projects that speak to the Committee's suggestions. The Government's Response is available on the Committee's website.

Part 2 of the Committee's report was tabled on , but a Government Response was not provided as Parliament dissolved before the Government could meet the statutory requirement. There was no mention of the CBSA in the second report.

3. In , the Standing Committee on International Trade tabled its fifteenth report entitled "Section 232 of the United States Trade Expansion Act: Implications of Tariffs for Canada." The Government's Response was tabled on , in which the Minister of Foreign Affairs addressed the Committee's 5 recommendations in detail. Of the 5 recommendations outlined in the report, the CBSA was implicated in Recommendation 2 regarding the timely and user-friendly application process for surtax remissions, as well as the Duties Relief Program and Duty Drawback Program. Although the CBSA is not involved in surtax remissions under this recommendation, to address the other programs referenced under this recommendation, the Government's Response outlined the CBSA's successful administration and timely processing of applications under the Duties Relief Program and Duty Drawback Program. Furthermore, the CBSA provided continued support and assistance to companies seeking to submit claims or applications under these programs to ensure that these processes were as user-friendly as possible. The CBSA was not required to take any action to address the aforementioned recommendation. The Government's Response is available on the Committee's website.

Response to audits conducted by the Office of the Auditor General of Canada (including audits conducted by the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development)

Report 1—Respect in the Workplace

This audit focused on whether the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) promoted and maintained respectful workplaces free of harassment, discrimination and violence by co-workers and supervisors. To assess this, the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) reviewed documentation and complaints, visited ports of entry and correctional institutions, and conducted interviews and surveys.

The OAG found that the CBSA and CSC's approaches to dealing with harassment, discrimination and violence in the workplace did not do enough to promote and maintain respectful workplaces, and that neither organization had developed a comprehensive strategy to address these issues. The OAG also found that the organizations did not always conduct an initial assessment before deciding whether to accept or dismiss a complaint, and did not always offer informal processes to employees for resolving harassment and workplace violence complaints. Finally, employees expressed concerns about reprisals, organizational culture, and civility and respect in the workplace.

Based on the audit's results, the CBSA committed to developing and implementing a comprehensive strategy. As of , all harassment files are processed through the National Integrity Centre of Expertise and the CBSA has modified its approach to inform employees of their options to access informal conflict resolution processes. The CBSA's full response can be found here and the agency is currently on track to implement the recommendations as planned.

Report 1—Immigration Removals

This audit focused on whether the CBSA removed individuals ordered to leave Canada as soon as possible. To assess this, the OAG examined the coordination of information shared by the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB), an independent tribunal, as well as Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), which supports the CBSA's monitoring and enforcement of removal orders. The OAG concluded that the CBSA did not remove the majority of individuals who were subject to enforceable removal orders as soon as possible. Poor data quality and case management weaknesses resulted in avoidable delays for thousands of cases. Deficiencies in information sharing with IRCC also delayed cases.

Based on the audit's results, the CBSA committed to refining its existing strategies to further ensure the timely removal of inadmissible persons. Additionally, the CBSA committed to implementing initiatives to encourage voluntary compliance with removal orders. Lastly, the CBSA will focus its inland enforcement resources on removing people in a timely manner, while continuing to prioritize the most serious cases. The CBSA's full response can be found here and the agency is currently on track to implement the recommendations as planned.

Response to audits conducted by the Public Service Commission of Canada or the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages

There were no audits in fiscal year 2019 to 2020 requiring a response.

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