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March 6, 2008

Daylight Saving Time (DST)  - begins this Sunday!

In most of Canada Daylight Saving Time begins at 2:00 AM local time on the second Sunday in March, which means 2:00 AM on March 9, 2008. Please do not forget to turn your clocks ahead one hour. This pattern will be followed by all provinces which observe daylight saving time and each province has amended their legislation to reflect this change.

This change in Daylight Saving Time will keep Canada's Daylight Saving Time pattern consistent with the United States which enacted into law a broad energy bill that will extend Daylight Saving Time in the same manner.

For more information about Daylight Saving Time, please click here.

 

March 3rd, 2008

A Modernized Partners in Protection

The CBSA's goal is to introduce a modernized PIP program by June 30, 2008. The modernized program will require members to adhere to stricter, better-defined and targeted security measures to strengthen border and supply chain security.

What is changing and why

Why is PIP changing?

The PIP program is being modernized as part of Canada’s commitment under the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America to enhance border security, combat organized crime and terrorism, and achieve mutual recognition and compatibility between Canada’s PIP program and the United States’ Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) program.

On December 20, 2007, CBSA and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) representatives met to move forward on achieving mutual recognition between the PIP and C-TPAT programs. The CBSA continues to work closely with U.S. CBP to ensure the alignment of both programs and to negotiate mutual recognition.

Steps are also being taken to ensure that the PIP program’s new requirements are better aligned with international standards such as the Framework of Standards to Secure and Facilitate Global Trade (SAFE) and the Authorized Economic Operator concept of the World Customs Organization.

What is changing?

Program changes include the implementation of minimum-security criteria for each sector (air, highway, rail and marine carriers, importers/exporters, warehouse operators, couriers and customs brokers) outlined in a new security profile, site visits prior to approval and a revised partnership agreement (memorandum of understanding or MOU).

New program policies will outline the circumstances under which applications will be denied, the conditions under which membership will be suspended, reinstated or cancelled and the appeal process for CBSA decisions on membership matters.

MOU

The present General MOU and Carrier MOU are being combined into one document. The changes are minor and mostly consist of revised wording to ensure that the CBSA and companies are more aware of their roles and responsibilities as partners, and of the fact that they can be removed or suspended from the PIP program.

Security Profile

The current Security Questionnaire is being replaced by a security profile that is divided into generic sections (which apply to all applicants) and sections specifically developed for each of the business sectors: highway, rail, marine and air carriers, customs brokers, warehouse operators, importers/exporters and couriers. The profile will identify minimum-security criteria in the areas of physical security, procedural security, conveyance security, data and documentation protection, personnel security and supply chain security for each sector. The security profile is a work in progress and a result of the input received on the draft security profiles between October and December 2007.

When will the new security profile and MOU be made public?

The final security profile and MOU will be available by March 31, 2008 so that your company can get a head start in meeting the new security requirements. However, it must be noted that applications under the modernized PIP program will be accepted on or after June 30, 2008.

Benefits of changes

The modernized PIP program will align the PIP program security requirements with those of the U.S. equivalent Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) program. In addition, it will move PIP requirements a step closer to those of the World Customs Organization’s Framework of Standards to Secure and Facilitate Global Trade (SAFE).

This will make the Canadian and U.S. trade chain security requirements more compatible, making it simpler to be eligible for both programs. In addition, companies will benefit from an enhanced reputation by demonstrating their adherence to high security standards. Companies will also be better positioned to achieve international recognition.

How the modernized PIP program will work

• Application process
• Monitoring compliance
• Penalties

Application process

The applicant will be required to complete a security profile. A CBSA officer will then review the profile to ensure that all sections have been completed, identify areas of concern, determine if the company is likely to meet the minimum-security requirements and perform a risk assessment of the company. Once the profile has been assessed, a regional CBSA intelligence officer will follow up with the company by scheduling a site review to confirm the information provided in the profile and prepare an assessment report. If the report concludes that the applicant meets or exceeds the requirements, the MOU will be sent for signature, thereby granting the company’s membership in the program.

Monitoring compliance

The security review performed by the CBSA intelligence officer confirms that the applicant’s security measures are compliant with the PIP program’s requirements. In addition, the CBSA intelligence officer will periodically meet with company representatives to exchange information and provide awareness sessions. Subsequently, every three years, a re-assessment will be conducted to reflect any substantive company changes, including changes to the security profile. The CBSA may at any time conduct a periodic security assessment.

Penalties

There are no monetary penalties associated with the PIP program. However, companies found to have contravened the Customs Act or any other Act of Parliament, or that are no longer compliant with PIP program requirements or their roles or responsibilities as PIP members may have their membership suspended or cancelled. A process will be put in place to appeal CBSA decisions on membership matters. The CBSA will seek your input on the draft policies relating to the denial, suspension, reinstatement and cancellation of membership, as well as the appeal process as these draft policies become available.

Reference: http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/security-securite/pip-pep/mod-eng.html

February 28, 2008

Quebec Spring Thaw Restrictions

Categories: RAIL NOTICES


Intermodal & International Customs Bulletin: Quebec Spring Thaw Restrictions

The Quebec Ministry of Transport will implement the annual spring thaw weight restrictions in March 2008.

Effective March 1, 2008 Canadian Pacific will not accept/ingate any overweight containers. Shipment weights must be reduced and evenly distributed in the unit in order to avoid possible charges and fines associated with overweight loads. Canadian Pacific will not accept responsibility for any such charges. Overweight loads will be returned to the Shipper at their own expense.


ZONE 1    Montreal--Montmagny--Sherbrooke--St-Jerome
 
ZONE 2    Val D'Or--Chicoutimi--Sept-Iles--Riviere du Loup

ZONE 3    Remaining portion of QUEBEC


Once Quebec Spring Thaw restrictions have been published by the Quebec Ministry of Transport, Canadian Pacific will advise via broadcast when the restrictions will begin and end. In order to prepare for the timely delivery of goods, Canadian Pacific will not accept/ingate containers overweight effective March 1, 2008.

Traffic for the Ottawa Valley region including, but not limited to, the following Ontario destinations are ramped over Lachine and not Vaughan:

Summerstown, Cornwall, Cardinal, Prescott, Brockville, Kingston, Iroquois,Greely, Ottawa, Orleans, Gloucester, Nepean, Carp, Carleton, Place, Frankville, L'Orignal, Hull, Hammond, Navan.