ZMP Center Controller reported many pilots have asked for a fix on approaches to Canadian airports due to the close proximity to ZMP's airspace and boundary but the lack of information on fixes in Canadian airspace made it difficult for ATC to provide assistance.
Synopsis
ZMP Center Controller reported many pilots have asked for a fix on approaches to Canadian airports due to the close proximity to ZMP's airspace and boundary but the lack of information on fixes in Canadian airspace made it difficult for ATC to provide assistance.
Narrative
Aircraft X requested a fix on the RNAV 25 for CYQT Airport to begin to set up for an approach. The transmissions from this aircraft had been nearly unreadable from the time they checked on and this was no different. I asked the pilot to repeat and spell the fix with no improvement. I then changed to a different transmitter located at CMX for the frequency 133.55 the aircraft was on with no improvement. I cleared the aircraft as requested because I could not understand the full spelling and initiated verbal coordination with CYWG CYQT Approach advising they were direct to the fix.I was not able to look up the spelling for the fix because the FAA does not have any of the Canadian approaches available for reference by controllers; even for airports just outside of our airspace like CYQT only located 30 NM from the boundary. This is not an isolated issue for CYQT as my airspace borders both CYWG and CYYZ centers to the north and east. Pilots have many times in the past asked for a fix on an approach or on an arrival into a Canadian airport and we are unable to look up any information about arrivals or approaches for spelling or information. Additionally; it is impossible to have a Supervisor or Controller in Charge (CIC) look up information for the procedure requested because NAV Canada does not publish information freely or readily for reference on the internet. Recommendation: Have procedure information available to controllers for major Canadian airports located directly adjacent to US airspace. Whether this be located on the En Route Information Display System (ERIDS) like US airports or via an available webpage with a logon or folder on the Supervisor computer. This is vital information for controllers as pilots routinely request fixes on approaches or arrivals that we are unable to clear to without unnecessary back and forth with the pilots that can be impossible like this situation where the pilot's radio is nearly unreadable. Additionally; ERAM does not always have the fixes requested for approaches at airports located less than 30 NM from the US airspace boundary; leaving room for additional confusion that can be fixed with access to Canadian approach or arrival charts.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.