Executive Summary
CBSA-CISC Information Sharing Framework

The primary function of the Criminal Intelligence Service of Canada (CISC) is to facilitate the timely production and exchange of criminal intelligence information to the law enforcement community at the municipal, provincial, and federal levels. A limited number of investigators and analysts in police agencies have access to the Automated Criminal Intelligence Information System (ACIIS) to support the detection, prevention, and disruption of serious and organized crime in Canada. ACIIS is a criminal intelligence databank maintained by CISC and used by its constituent members.

Through a partnership with CISC, the CBSA will disclose publically available court records related to customs and immigration offences into CISC’s criminal intelligence databank when there are reasonable grounds to believe the offence has a nexus to serious or organized crime. Police partners will be able to search this information to support specific lawful investigations. Partners may also request additional information related to the publically available court records through the standard written request process detailed in both the Privacy Act and the Customs Act.

The CBSA’s investigative bodies will query personal information uploaded into the databank to support ongoing lawful investigations of customs and immigration-related offences with a nexus to serious and organized crime. Offences investigated under the Customs Act include secreting illicit goods in an attempt to smuggle controlled goods, such as weapons or narcotics, across the Canadian border. Offences investigated under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) includes, but is not limited to, serious criminality and for involvement in organized crime which may cause an individual to be inadmissible to Canada. In all circumstances where queries to the databank yield a match, the CBSA must make a written request detailing the specific information the CBSA is seeking, the authority to request and use that information, and the offence the information will be used to investigate. In addition, the CBSA will limit the use of this information to the investigation of serious and organized crime and agree to abide by any restrictions imposed by the originating body, and the supporting CBSA Governance Model.

Protecting your Personal Information

ACIIS is Canada's national Intelligence databank for serious and organized crime, available to municipal, provincial and federal law enforcement partner agencies. It contains sensitive financial, and biographic personal information as well as detailed descriptions related to suspects' criminal history, associations, and other sensitive personal information. CISC, acting under the direction of its National Executive Committee, will provide direct access to ACIIS unrestricted data to select members of the CBSA Investigative Bodies, based on the Agency's responsibilities and legislative mandate to support lawful investigations of serious and organized crime. In the event that the CBSA identify an entity of interest the investigating officer must submit a written request to the originating agency prior to any use of information located within ACIIS.

The information located within ACIIS is stored within closed systems of records within the custody and control of the Investigative Bodies. Finally, use of this framework will be limited to a very small group of employees within each investigative body who will receive training on an ongoing basis.

Right of Access

Individuals may formally request access to their personal information, or access to corporate records related to the CBSA – CISC Information Sharing Framework by filing a request with the Access to Information and Privacy Division. More information about this can be found on the Access to Information and Privacy page.

Accountability

Individuals with concerns about the collection, use, disclosure or retention of their personal information may issue a complaint to the CBSA Access to Information and Privacy Division. Complaints should be made in writing, and include the individual’s name, contact information, and a brief description of their concerns. Contact the Access to Information and Privacy Division at the CBSA.

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