March 2008

Dear Members:

As published elsewhere in this directory, the CIFFA Mission Statement is:

“Our mission is to represent and support members of the Canadian International Freight Forwarding Industry in providing the highest level of quality and professional services to their clients.”

The major area where CIFFA believes it must “represent and support” its members at this point in time is throughout the security issues we are experiencing in our day-to-day operations. The continually changing security requirements are our most demanding challenges. Governments, rightly so after 9/11, continue to search for the perfect scenario to eliminate any and all risk of further terrorism. Regulations are changed within various government departments. (100% screening; 50% screening; Known Shipper Programs; Certified Shipper Programs; we all read the various terms daily.) All continually changing whilst the forwarder must ensure their clients’ cargo is expedited with as little delay as possible. The forwarder must invent solutions to improve productivity in order to maintain and grow their clientele base.

CIFFA, working with Transport Canada, has represented our industry by ensuring the Canadian government is well aware of the daily problems in the freight forwarding community. We believe the government, instead of imposing difficult regulations, has listened to our reports, briefs, and messages.

We believe we must be patient, and wait and see how the governments worldwide will initiate similar programs in order to improve the logistical supply chain through the myriad of security issues. Recently within Air Cargo security matters governments seem to be leaning towards “Certified Shippers” validated and enforced by inspectors appointed by the government of each country. It is hoped that these same governments will reach mutual recognition of the others’ programs/security information.
If agreed upon, it would be welcome news for the international freight forwarding community. All would appreciate not having to work with different sets of security procedures. Perhaps worldwide standardization is too much to ask for, however if one standard can be achieved by the major markets of the world, then many of our members and their partners can look to improved technology processes.

CIFFA is supporting the members by initiating Security Training for our members’ employees and their third party suppliers. The training of Cargo Security Coordinators and Authorized Cargo Representatives has commenced across the country--training that meets the requirements of Transport Canada including the development of Cargo Security Plans. Furthermore, in addition to Transport Canada guidance, CIFFA will assist all members to complete their Cargo Security Plans, if required, as part of the MOU to participate in Transport Canada’s Air Cargo Security Program.

As stated earlier, with security issues comes constant change. Initially the government is attempting to regulate air traffic. Very shortly, other modes of transportation will also come under government guidelines. CIFFA promises to be forefront to represent our members when these discussions arrive.

Connected to the security issue, and although the following is in its early stages, CIFFA, through its eSPN (eManifest Stakeholder Partnership Network) Steering Working Group is working with CBSA on the new eManifest system which will shortly be part of our daily operations. The electronic pre-arrival data for all shipments and for all modes is to be completed by 2011, however this program will be implemented incrementally over the years up until this date. Once again, we applaud those governments re-structuring to accomplish standardizations allowing, among many, freight forwarders to adopt one set of protocols.

CIFFA membership approved expenditure last year to deliver our Educational Program via the internet – E-Learning. At time of writing this new program is being offered to approximately 100 students across Canada. The Education Committee will be studying the results between E-Learning and Classroom in order to improve on both facets. It is believed that once this trial period of a year is completed, E-Learning can be offered to all participating students who wish to follow this system.

Through our educational programs, described as professional and excellent by many, our members receive the highest level of quality material. We are continually upgrading this educational information to ensure our members’ employees receive proper training, thus, resulting in successful relationships with their customers.

CIFFA, also adapting to the new world economy, will establish a new sub-committee through our Global VP attaching primary importance to the China market, in particular, and the Far East/South West Asia in general. It is hoped CIFFA can assist/work with all transportation suppliers within the Pacific Rim to make a concerted effort to provide a higher quality services within our now fragile infrastructure.

Finally, CIFFA, through its Secretariat, provides to its members the advantages of communications. Using people-oriented principles, our wish is to give to our members a creditability, steadiness, and innovation. Our services to the members will always be our prime and most important role. Once again, to “represent and support” in order for our members to provide the highest quality logistical services.


Sincerely.



Robert Walker
President

Francais