Fact Sheet

October 2009

National Risk Assessment Centre

Overview

In January 2004, the Government of Canada established the National Risk Assessment Centre (NRAC) at the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to protect Canadians against current and emerging threats. NRAC, which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, is one of the first points of contact and liaison for national and international partners involved in security, intelligence and law enforcement.

Analysis and Information Sharing

Under the Smart Border Declaration, Canada and the United States have agreed to build a smart border that protects against terrorism and the entry of high-risk people or contraband while facilitating the free flow of legitimate people and goods. Canada's ability to intercept high-risk people and goods is enhanced through analysis and information sharing with the United States by using sophisticated intelligence-gathering techniques and technology.

Traveller Pre-arrival Risk Assessment

NRAC exchanges information with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in the form of lookouts and risk assessments using Advance Passenger Information/Passenger Name Record data on travellers arriving by commercial air carriers to Canada and the United States. This pre-arrival information enables CBSA officers at NRAC to increase Canada's ability to detect and interdict the movement of high-risk people.

Air and Marine Cargo Targeting

NRAC also performs both marine and air cargo targeting. NRAC targeters ensure cargo information is reviewed in a timely manner, enabling them to thoroughly perform risk assessments. High-risk shipments and cargo that may pose a threat to Canada are referred for examination at the first point of arrival or intervention.

Joint Targeting Initiative

The CBSA and U.S. CBP work together under the Joint Targeting Initiative to target marine in-transit containers that arrive in Canada or the United States while en route to the other country. CBSA officers are assigned to the ports of Newark, New Jersey, and Seattle, Washington, to review containers destined for Canada. U.S. CBP has assigned officers in Canadian marine ports in Vancouver, Halifax and Montréal to review cargo destined for the United States.

Container Security Initiative

The Container Security Initiative is a multinational program that protects the primary system of global trade – containerized shipping – from being exploited or disrupted by terrorists. This initiative enables NRAC to target and interdict potential terrorism threats before they reach Canadian shores.

Radiation Detection Portals

Radiation detection portals form part of a comprehensive alert system to detect illegitimate radioactive material entering Canada. NRAC responds to all portal alerts. NRAC targeters screen the information and make timely decisions on whether to negate the alert or refer to the regional carborne examination units for further examination.

Warrant Response Centre

The Warrant Response Centre (WRC) is the CBSA's national repository for all active immigration warrants and information on previously deported persons. Established in 1995, the WRC provides information to local, national and international law-enforcement agencies that call to confirm identity and immigration status in suspect cases.

24/7 Operations Centre and Border Watch

NRAC is a single point of contact offering an after-hours assistance centre for CBSA staff and other domestic and international agencies. Officers also manage calls to Border Watch, a toll-free tip line that enables the public and members of the Partners in Protection (PIP) program to confidentially report possible illegal border activity. PIP is a voluntary CBSA program that enlists the co-operation of private industry to enhance border security.

Our Missing Children Program

NRAC takes part in Our Missing Children, a joint program between Canada's law-enforcement and government agencies. Founded in 1986, the program locates and reunites missing or abducted children with their parents or legal guardians. NRAC works closely with CBSA officers, regional Our Missing Children coordinators and domestic law-enforcement agencies. NRAC provides services such as verifying customs and immigration information, coordinating communication and facilitating the flow of information between agencies, and issuing and maintaining national lookouts for missing or abducted children.

Intelligence Analysis and Operations

NRAC provides analytical and operational support for risk assessment activities that feed into the CBSA's Intelligence program. NRAC is also responsible for producing operational and tactical analysis and trend analysis to support the CBSA's intelligence activities.

Privacy

The CBSA is committed to ensuring the safety and security of Canada's border in a manner that respects and upholds individuals' rights to privacy. Please refer to the Privacy Impact Assessment Summary for further information.

Privacy Impact Assessment Summary

These summaries provide information on what the CSBA is doing to ensure that the privacy rights of individuals are respected under programs managed by the CBSA.