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2020 to 2021 Departmental Results Report: Canada Border Services Agency – Supplementary Information Tables

Response to parliamentary committee

During the 2020 to 2021 fiscal year, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) provided or supported Government responses to one report tabled by parliamentary committees. Details are provided below:

  • In , the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry tabled its nineteenth report entitled Made in Canada: Growing Canada's Value-Added Food Sector
  • On , the Government Response was tabled by the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. The CBSA was implicated in two of the nine recommendations made by the committee, namely:
    • Recommendation 2(c): Modernizing inspection and registration systems to reduce processing times for trucks crossing the border with the United States
    • Recommendation 4: Reforming the mandates of regulatory agencies to include innovation, growth and overall agri-food sector competitiveness as a core consideration
  • The Government's response is available for download on the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Forestry website. In its response, the Government outlined its collaborative and innovative approach to modernization, including several ways in which the CBSA works to facilitate the safe and efficient importation of agri-food products across the border (i.e., ensuring that import requirements are met to reduce the likelihood of introducing plant and animal diseases, pests, and invasive species into Canada)
  • The CBSA was not required to take any specific actions to address the committee's recommendations

Response to external audits

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 8—Pandemic Preparedness, Surveillance, and Border Control Measures

This audit focused on whether the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) was prepared to effect a pandemic response that would protect public health and safety, and would be supported by accurate and timely public health surveillance information. The audit also focused on whether PHAC and the CBSA implemented and enforced border control and mandatory quarantine measures to limit the spread in Canada of the virus that causes COVID‑19. To assess this, the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) conducted document reviews, interviews with federal officials, system and process walk-throughs, and data analyses.

Overall, the OAG found that the CBSA acted quickly to enforce emergency orders prohibiting the entry of foreign nationals into Canada, with exemptions for essential workers, and that PHAC and the CBSA worked together to develop guidance for border services officers (BSOs). The OAG also found that the CBSA did not review whether BSOs were consistently applying exemptions for essential workers.

Based on the audit's results, the CBSA made several changes in time for the audit's publication, including expanding support to BSOs beyond existing operational bulletins, live support access on a 24/7 basis, and regular case reviews. The CBSA also established a process to monitor BSO decisions regarding the application of orders-in-council for essential workers, and committed to developing a training tool by to support BSO understanding of the orders-in-council.

The CBSA's full response can be found in the Report 8—Pandemic Preparedness, Surveillance, and Border Control Measures—List of Recommendations and a progress report will be provided to the Standing Committee on Public Accounts in 2021 to 2022.

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

Audit of Employment Equity Representation in Recruitment

This audit focused on whether the four designated employment equity groups (women, members of visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, and persons with disabilities) were proportionately represented in recruitment processes, with a view to identifying key factors that influence representation in the appointment system among those groups. To assess this, the Public Service Commission (PSC) reviewed external advertised staffing processes for term and indeterminate positions with a closing date between and ; specifically, this audit looked at 15,285 applications to 181 externally advertised appointment processes from 30 departments and agencies.

The PSC found that employment equity groups did not remain proportionately represented throughout the recruitment process. Based on the audit's results, the CBSA has committed to ensuring barrier-free appointment processes for all employment equity groups, including visible minority sub-groups. The full list of audit recommendations can be found in the Audit of Employment Equity Representation in Recruitment—Recommendations and the CBSA is currently on track to implement its recommendation as planned.

Gender-based analysis plus (GBA+)

Section 1: Institutional GBA+ Capacity

During the 2020 to 2021 fiscal year, the CBSA continued incorporating GBA+ as an integral part of its policies, programs and initiatives to ensure an understanding of their impacts on gender and diversity, and to make better decisions and achieve better results for its clients, stakeholders and all Canadians.

To advance GBA+ across the Agency, GBA+ responsibilities were distributed through the following roles:

  • The GBA+ Centre of Responsibility, housed within the Strategic Policy Branch, supported the implementation of the Agency's GBA+ policy, including increasing GBA+ information resources and providing strategic guidance on the mainstreaming of GBA+ considerations into policies, programs and operations. This included reviewing submissions to central agencies in order to strengthen the proposals and their outcomes
  • CBSA senior officials were responsible for ensuring the ongoing implementation of GBA+ across the Agency, including providing resources to employees for the integration of GBA+ into everyday work practices
  • CBSA employees were responsible for incorporating GBA+ into the development, implementation and monitoring of policies, programs and initiatives. To this end, the CBSA worked horizontally with colleagues across the Government of Canada's national security community to support employee engagement and promote awareness of GBA+. For example, in collaboration with Public Safety Canada, the CBSA organized learning and awareness sessions on Bias Sensitivity, Diversity and Identity in National Security

In 2020 to 2021, the CBSA undertook the following key GBA+ initiatives:

1. Modernizing Sex and Gender Information Practices

The CBSA progressed in its multi-year implementation of the Policy Direction to Modernize the Government of Canada's Sex and Gender Information Practices by completing an initial review of how the Agency collects and displays sex and gender information across all business lines. This review will support the Agency's multi-year implementation of the Policy Direction over future years, helping to ensure that its practices do not discriminate against people on the basis of their gender identity or expression.

2. Review of the Officer Induction Model

The Officer Induction Model (OIM) is a comprehensive approach to recruiting, training and developing officers suited for public service in an armed border security agency. In 2020 to 2021, the CBSA reviewed its National Officer Recruitment and Outreach Strategy, along with its accompanying Action Plan, in order to identify ways to further promote a culture of diversity and inclusion in its recruitment efforts. The CBSA used a focused recruitment approach tailored to five key groups: women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, veterans, and bilingual candidates. This focused approach sought to diversify the pool of candidates and increase representation by reducing barriers to applicants' success in the selection process for officer trainees.

In 2020 to 2021, the CBSA also continued implementing its Indigenous Candidate Mentorship (ICM) initiative, which addresses and reduces barriers by connecting Indigenous candidates with Indigenous mentors who offer ongoing support through the various stages of the officer trainee selection process. The attrition of mentees was tracked and compared against non-mentored candidates, demonstrating that Indigenous candidates who opted into the ICM were more successful in the selection process and had notably lower attrition rates. To further enrich this data, the Agency conducted a survey of ICM participants, which provided valuable insight on ways to further increase the success of this initiative.

Employment equity representation across the officer trainee selection process was examined in detail to highlight the benefits of a diverse organization and to identify current stages in the selection process where certain groups experience higher levels of attrition. These findings, along with improved tracking of demographic data, will better enable the Agency to identify, address and eliminate the specific barriers affecting the experiences of individuals from different backgrounds.

The CBSA used a diverse group of recruiters and selection committee members who employed blind interviews to avoid unconscious bias related to gender and race. The Agency also incorporated GBA+ topics of racism, harassment and discrimination into its competency assessments for candidates.

3. Exploration of Internal Training Needs and Horizontal Training Opportunities

In 2020 to 2021, the CBSA continued to examine its internal training needs and identify opportunities for the mainstreaming of GBA+. The Agency consulted with various stakeholders in its annual review of the Learning Plan for officer recruiters, which identified training needs and led to the introduction of required training on diversity, employment equity, Indigenous Reconciliation, and GBA+.

The CBSA supported horizontal training opportunities by organizing an introductory session on integrating bias awareness in GBA+ for approximately 50 employees, while also supporting the participation of 194 employees in the Annual Expert Symposium on Bias Sensitivity, Diversity and Identity in National Security, which was organized by Public Safety Canada and brought together experts from academia, civil society and government. This symposium expanded on work currently being done by the Government of Canada to utilize GBA+ in the national security sphere for improved understanding of key issues and trends.

4. Immigration Enforcement Policy Framework

The CBSA advanced its review of the immigration enforcement policy framework and identified areas where further policy work may be undertaken with respect to vulnerable persons in the immigration enforcement continuum. Stakeholder consultations and third-party research identified a number of recommendations to better respond to the needs of vulnerable persons who interact with CBSA.

The CBSA also initiated work to identify areas where operational guidance could be improved to account for considerations relating to victims and survivors of gender-based violence (GBV), and human trafficking more broadly. An internal GBV Working Group was established to identify work that could be pursued to address the recommendations going forward.

5. Evaluation of the Traveller Program

In 2020 to 2021, the CBSA conducted an evaluation of traveller processing through a GBA+ lens that sought to examine how activities and outcomes in traveller processing impact diverse groups of travellers. The final report outlining the findings and recommendations is expected in 2021 to 2022 and will support the Agency's efforts to identify gaps in its current GBA+ practices and further integrate GBA+ into its programs, policies and operations.

Section 2: Gender and Diversity Impacts by Program

Border management
Programs Target population, distribution of benefits and key impacts
Anti-dumping and Countervailing

Target Population: Primarily businesses or agents acting on behalf of businesses transacting with the CBSA. This program supports Canadian producers who face unfair foreign competition in the Canadian marketplace.

Key Impacts: Based on the target population, GBA+ impacts do not apply.

Buildings and Equipment

Target Population: CBSA employees and members of the travelling public who access CBSA facilities.

Key Impacts: In 2020 to 2021, the Buildings and Equipment program conducted a GBA+ analysis and incorporated gender-neutral washrooms in building project plans to promote inclusivity.

Commercial-Trade Facilitation and Compliance

Target Population: Primarily businesses or agents acting on behalf of businesses transacting with the CBSA.

Key Impacts: Based on the target population, GBA+ impacts do not apply.

Field Technology Support

Target Population: CBSA frontline operations. This program leverages science and technology to support the CBSA in accomplishing its mandate.

Key Impacts: Based on the target population, GBA+ impacts do not apply.

Force Generation

Target Population: Future applicants to the CBSA officer trainee selection process.

Distribution of Benefits: The distribution of program benefits is shown below from the perspectives of gender, income level and/or age group as applicable, using scales aligned with the Budget 2021 Impacts Report.

By gender
By income level
By age group

Key Impacts: Based on consultations with various stakeholders through its annual review of the Learning Plan for officer recruiters, the CBSA identified training needs and introduced required training on diversity, employment equity, Indigenous Reconciliation, and GBA+ for all recruiters and selection committee members.

Intelligence Collection and Analysis

Target Population: All Canadians.

Distribution of Benefits:

By gender
By income level
By age group

Key Impacts: The Intelligence Collection and Analysis program is currently exploring GBA+ related measurements for high-risk people to support future analysis, whereas GBA+ impacts do not apply for high-risk goods or conveyances.

Recourse

Target Population: Any persons or businesses who had interactions with the CBSA and wished to submit feedback or request a review of certain CBSA decisions or enforcement actions.

Key Impacts: GBA+ impacts are not currently measured due to limitations in the collection of personal data by this program.

Security Screening

Target Population: All Canadians.

Distribution of Benefits:

By gender
By income level
By age group

Key Impacts: GBA+ impacts are not currently measured.

Targeting

Target Population: All Canadians. The CBSA conducts targeting activities on a 24/7 basis as part of its risk-based border management approach to identify and intercept suspected high-risk people, goods and conveyances that may pose a threat to the safety, security and prosperity of Canada.

Distribution of Benefits:

By gender
By income level
By age group

Key Impacts: GBA+ impacts are not currently measured due to system limitations in the ability to access disaggregated GBA+ data. It should be noted that the findings of the recent evaluation of traveller processing through a GBA+ lens are expected to be released in 2021 to 2022 and will be taken into consideration for future GBA+ data collection plans with regard to the Air Passenger Targeting program, which is a subset of the Targeting program.

Traveller Facilitation and Compliance

Target Population: Members of the travelling public entering Canada.

Distribution of Benefits:

By gender
By income level
By age group

Key Impacts: GBA+ impacts are not currently measured. It should be noted that the findings of the recent evaluation of traveller processing through a GBA+ lens are expected to be released in 2021 to 2022 and will be taken into consideration for future GBA+ data collection plans.

Trusted Trader

Target Population: Pre-approved, low-risk commercial entities who meet the program eligibility requirements.

Key Impacts: Based on the target population, GBA+ impacts do not apply.

Trusted Traveller

Target Population: Pre-approved, low-risk travellers who meet the program eligibility requirements.

Distribution of Benefits:

By gender
By income level
By age group

Key Impacts: This program seeks to simplify the border clearance process for pre-approved, low-risk travellers entering Canada. Data is collected from individuals in order to assess their program eligibility and the GBA+ lens will be further enabled going forward.

Border enforcement
Programs Target population, distribution of benefits and key impacts
Criminal Investigations

Target Population: All Canadians.

Distribution of Benefits:

By gender

Key Impacts: The analysis of GBA+ impacts is currently limited by system capabilities to collect and report on GBA+ data.

Detentions

Target Population: Foreign nationals and permanent residents.

Distribution of Benefits:

By gender
By income level

Key Impacts: The Detentions program takes GBA+ considerations into account when detaining individuals pursuant to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA). To help address program impacts by gender and diversity, the CBSA is currently finalizing a National Detention Standard related to the treatment of women, families and the best interests of the child, as well as members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and two-spirit (LGBTQ2+) community, when placing individuals in detention facilities or releasing individuals on alternatives to detention.

The CBSA has also developed a standard for Special Purpose Units which can be designated for female persons, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) persons, or other marginalized groups. Special Purpose Units are used in circumstances where the protection of a detainee is required (as requested by the detainee or deemed to be in their best interests or those of other detainees) and/or where additional one-on-one observation is necessary.

Hearings

Target Population: Foreign nationals, permanent residents and refugee claimants subject to proceedings before the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada.

Distribution of Benefits:

By gender
By income level
By age group

Key Impacts: The analysis of GBA+ impacts is currently limited by system capabilities to collect and report on GBA+ data.

Immigration Investigations

Target Population: Foreign nationals and permanent residents.

Distribution of Benefits:

By gender
By age group

Key Impacts: This program investigates and reports, and (if necessary), arrests and detains foreign nationals and permanent residents in Canada in cases where there is reason to believe that the IRPA has been violated. The ability to collect data under this program is limited by legislative authorities and system capabilities.

Removals

Target Population: Foreign nationals subject to an enforceable removal order.

Distribution of Benefits:

By gender
By age group

Key Impacts: The Removals program applies GBA+ principles to assess the impacts of proposed initiatives on diverse groups of people who are removed to their country of citizenship or habitual residence, while taking into account intersecting identity factors as well as obligations under domestic and international human rights protocols. This program collects sufficient data for reporting based on gender and identity.

Section 3: Program Linkages to Gender Results Framework

Border Management

The Government of Canada's Gender Results Framework (GRF) supports Canada's gender equality goals of equal opportunities for education and skills development, full participation in the economy and decision-making, and access to justice and health outcomes.

The programs under the CBSA's core responsibility of Border Management (which assess risks to identify threats, manage the free flow of admissible travellers and goods, and manage non-compliance) do not align directly with GRF goals or indicators, with the exception of the Force Generation Program and the Targeting Program.

The Force Generation Program supports labour market opportunities and full-time employment for women, and promotes gender balance among frontline officers, while the Targeting Program helps to minimize the number of people who are victims of GBV and sexual exploitation. GRF linkages for these two programs are shown below.

Programs Education and Skills Development Economic Participation and Prosperity Leadership and Democratic Participation Gender-based Violence and Access to Justice Poverty Reduction, Health and Well-Being Gender Equality around the World
Force Generation - selected - - - -
Targeting - - - selected - selected

Border Enforcement

Under its core responsibility of Border Enforcement, the CBSA contributes to Canada's security by supporting the immigration and refugee system when determining a person's admissibility to Canada, taking the appropriate immigration enforcement actions when necessary, and supporting the prosecution of persons who violate Canada's laws. While the GRF includes the goal of eliminating GBV and promoting access to justice, the associated GRF indicators do not align directly with the CBSA's Border Enforcement programs.

Section 4: Program Linkages to Quality of Life Framework

Linkages between CBSA programs and the Quality of Life Framework are shown in the tables below, according to the following definitions set out in the Budget 2021 Impacts Report:

  • Prosperity, encompassing the economic domain, income and growth, employment and skills, and learning and economic security
  • Health, encompassing physical and mental health, and care systems that enable people to thrive through all stages of life
  • Environment, encompassing natural and built environments that meet human needs such as clean air and water, as well as ecological integrity and stewardship dimensions such as greenhouse gas emissions
  • Society, encompassing culture and identity, inclusion, social cohesion and connection, and time use
  • Good Governance, encompassing democracy and institutions, safety and security, and justice and human rights
Border Management
Programs Prosperity Health Environment Society Good Governance
Anti-dumping and Countervailing selected - - - selected
Buildings and Equipment selected - selected - selected
Commercial-Trade Facilitation and Compliance selected - - - selected
Field Technology Support - - - - selected
Force Generation - - - selected selected
Intelligence Collection and Analysis - - - - selected
Recourse - - - - selected
Security Screening - - - - selected
Targeting - - - - selected
Traveller Facilitation and Compliance - - - - selected
Trusted Trader - - - - selected
Trusted Traveller - - - - selected
Border Enforcement
Programs Prosperity Health Environment Society Good Governance
Criminal Investigations - - - - selected
Detentions - - - - selected
Hearings - - - - selected
Immigration Investigations - - - - selected
Removals - - - - selected
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