MP Vic Toews announced that the CBSA will proceed with a remote traveller processing pilot at Piney, Manitoba in April 2015, as part of the Small and Remote Ports of Entry Initiative under the Beyond the Border Action Plan.
The objectives of the pilot are to test the viability and potential benefits of expanding remote traveller processing at select small and remote ports of entry as a way to increase efficiency, while maintaining border integrity and access to needed border services.
“This government remains committed to keeping our shared border efficient while addressing risk at the earliest possible opportunity,” said Vic Toews, Minister of Public Safety. “This pilot site will maintain high security standards while improving access to after-hours border services for legitimate travellers between Canada and the U.S.”
The pilot at Piney, Manitoba is a registered user approach that would use technology to process travellers remotely. The CBSA would conduct prescreening verification on those interested in participating. This approach would enable the CBSA to assess a registered user approach as a means to reducing the risk of inadmissible travellers using the port of entry. Applicants must be Canadian or American citizens, Canadian permanent residents, or lawful permanent residents of the United States. Only those who meet the assessment criteria would be permitted to participate in this pilot.
During the pilot, travellers arriving at the port of entry after hours would be processed by a border services officer located at a remote processing centre through a two-way audio and one-way video kiosk. Cameras would be installed to provide the border services officer with the ability to see the traveller and the vehicle.
The Piney, Manitoba port of entry was chosen as a pilot site as it was deemed low-risk due to the little commercial traffic and low traveller volumes processed on a daily basis. Further, the layout of the port of entry is such that remote technology could be installed to provide the required security measures.
The CBSA will continue to enforce Canadian laws and perform its role in interdicting Criminal Code offences in the remote traveller processing environment. Law enforcement partners are supportive of the pilot and will continue to work with the CBSA as required.
On February 4, 2011, Prime Minister Harper and President Obama released the Beyond the Border Declaration, articulating a shared vision in which our countries work together to address threats at the earliest point possible while facilitating the legitimate movement of people and goods and services across our shared border. The Action Plan, released in December 2011, outlines the specific steps our countries intend to take to achieve the security and economic competitiveness goals outlined in the Beyond the Border Declaration.
