eManifest Stakeholder Partnership Network (eSPN)

Steering Committee

September 15, 2009

The CBSA provided members with key project updates that included the following: Royal Assent of the amendments to the Customs Act on June 11, 2009; CBSA participation at various trade events to conduct eManifest outreach; and ongoing eSPN consultations to develop process flows and maps and to build IT systems focused on the Electronic Commerce Client Requirements Document (ECCRD) for the highway mode.

The CBSA also reported on eManifest Portal consultations held in spring 2009, the issue-escalation process for the eSPN Design and Technical Design issue logs, the In-transit pilot project, highlights from the client support strategy, and ongoing consultations on advance importer data requirements.

Trade members updated the committee on the readiness of the marine industry to transmit Container Status Messages (CSMs) and the Bay Plan.

The CBSA informed members that discussions regarding participant registration windows and client groupings are ongoing to ensure a fair approach to all clients.

April 6, 2009

Two representatives of the Canada Border Services Agency's (CBSA) Border Commercial Consultative Committee were introduced as new members of the eSPN steering committee. These representatives are from the Association of International Customs and Border Agencies and the Shipping Federation of Canada.

The CBSA committee members thanked the trade members for co-facilitating breakout sessions at the February 2009 eSPN plenary. The eSPN steering committee was updated on the status of the CBSA's re-evaluation of importer admissibility data requirements and consultations with the trade community to address the issues and concerns that they bring forward. 

Members expressed their support for the CBSA's creation of an eSPN technical design working group that will deal solely with project issues that are of a technical nature and bring together people with information technology experience, including CBSA-recognized service providers.

January 27, 2009

The February 2009 eSPN plenary was the main topic of discussion. The committee was informed that its members and all the members of the Border Commercial Consultative Committee and the eSPN design and communications working groups will be invited to the plenary. Committee members decided that service providers could be invited to the plenary, as well as to other eSPN meetings, as guests.

Members suggested that the plenary be an interactive forum, which would allow more time for discussions. It was also determined that trade members of the steering committee would co-facilitate breakout sessions at the plenary.

November 19, 2008

The CBSA provided an update on the latest eSPN meetings, as well as on activities pertaining to the review of the draft eManifest end state process flows.

Members provided feedback on a variety of topics including the involvement of service providers in the eSPN, eSPN plenary membership, invitations and professional facilitation at the eSPN plenary.

To build stronger linkages between the Border Commercial Consultative Committee (BCCC) and the eSPN governance model, it was proposed that a member of the eSPN steering committee attend future BCCC meetings to discuss the eManifest initiative and that two additional members of the BCCC join the eSPN steering committee.

October 8, 2008

Members were introduced to the new Chair of the steering committee: Glenda Lavergne, Director General, eManifest Directorate.

The CBSA provided a project update including information on the draft highway Electronic Commerce Client Requirements Document, as well as on current and end state process flows.

The steering committee discussed the status of policy issues including first point of arrival and the CSBA confirmed that decisions would take into account feedback received through stakeholder consultation.

Members were also updated on the planning of the upcoming eSPN plenary. The steering committee made suggestions concerning the meeting's format and topics of discussion.

September 3, 2008

The CBSA provided members with an overview of CBSA and eManifest Directorate organizational changes, as well as an update on the eSPN working groups.

The CBSA also consulted with members on eManifest matters and issue escalation processes.

In preparation for the upcoming eSPN plenary, the steering committee reviewed a list of eSPN plenary participants, suggested that plenary discussions focus on eManifest policy decisions, and advised that information be distributed to invitees in advance of the event.

Members explored the role of the steering committee and it was proposed that the committee's relationship with the BCCC be strengthened.

After a discussion on eSPN working groups and their roles, it was determined that a member of the steering committee would participate (on a rotational basis) in the eSPN communications and design working groups.

January 25, 2008

The steering committee discussed and provided feedback on options to involve service providers in the eManifest Stakeholder Partnership Network (eSPN) and the need to ensure that the nominated representatives represent the overall interests of IT service providers — not their own company's interests. Members also discussed the revised eSPN plenary agenda and the current eSPN governance structure.

December 17, 2007

Members provided comments on various messages received from their respective trade groups, which included the need for the CBSA to increase communications with the trade community to prioritize business requirements. Of particular concern to members was the challenge of ensuring small and medium importers are aware of and informed about the initiative. Members also offered a number of suggestions for planning the upcoming plenary.

October 25, 2007

Members shared a number of concerns from their respective trade groups. Specific topics of discussion included having other government departments and agencies represented at the steering committee to obtain a broader government perspective, the need for business processes to be well understood and the best way to deliver messages about eManifest out to the trade community. Members agreed that an eSPN plenary should be held in Ottawa in early 2008.

May 24, 2007

Members revised the terms of reference to clarify the definition and scope of the committee's role and the role of individual members. It was decided that when sharing information, the level of sensitivity of that information should be considered. It was also requested that a co-chair be appointed on a rotational basis. Members asked the CBSA to inform industry of the format of and extent to which input will be sought and discussed the next steps in establishing eSPN working groups.

May 3, 2007

The committee's first meeting focused on its roles and responsibilities. It was decided that committee membership would consist of one person representing the carrier organizations/associations and freight forwarder organizations/associations and two people representing importer organizations/associations due to the large number of importers in Canada. These members would hold two-year tenures and the partial rotation of membership would be allowed each year for the duration of the project. Other topics of discussion included the possibility of a co-chair and the requirement to keep alternates up to date on committee activities.