ARCHIVED - Registry of the Specific Claims Tribunal of Canada - Report

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Deputy Head’s Message

I am pleased to present the Registry of the Specific Claims Tribunal’s 2012-13 Report on Plans and Priorities. It demonstrates our continued commitment to the provision of an administrative infrastructure to the Specific Claims Tribunal (the Tribunal) while safeguarding the Tribunal’s independence from the executive branch of government.

This has been a landmark year for the Registry of the Specific Claims Tribunal (the Registry). On June 1, 2011, the Tribunal officially opened its doors, and, since then, claims have been accepted and filed. The environment in which the organization has been operating has changed tremendously: from one where filing a specific claim was a goal into one where the wheels of justice are turning. It is with great enthusiasm and excitement that we enter into this new phase in the life of the organization.

This year, we will continue to focus on implementing new technologies to support the processing of claims in a timely and cost-effective manner, and we will work closely with Central Agencies to secure funding for future years in order to enable the Tribunal to continue to meet its mandate. In an effort to create a healthy, productive and thriving workplace, the Registry will continue to invest in people with a view to attract, train and retain those with the skills and experience required to support the Members of the Tribunal and assist parties in processing their claims.

I look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead in supporting the Tribunal in its adjudication of specific claims.

 

Section I: Organizational Overview

Raison d’être

Responsibilities

The Specific Claims Tribunal Act provides for an administrative infrastructure in support of the work of the Specific Claims Tribunal through the Registry of the Specific Claims Tribunal. The Registry is designated as a government department under Schedule I.1 of the Financial Administration Act and therefore must adhere to federal public administration policies including the preparation of this Report on Plans and Priorities. This report pertains to the activities of the Registry in support to the Tribunal, not to the Tribunal claims themselves.

The Registry of the Specific Claims Tribunal supports all aspects of the Tribunal’s work to ensure that the Tribunal can hold hearings. The Registry is also the repository for filing claims and all documents and orders for all claims brought before the Tribunal.

Strategic Outcome and Program Activity Architecture (PAA)

The chart below illustrates the framework the Registry of the Specific Claims Tribunal is using to ensure that its program activities contribute to its strategic outcome.

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Organizational Priorities

Priority	Type1	Strategic Outcome
Provide the Tribunal with the infrastructure required to hear claims in a timely and cost-effective manner	Previously committed to	Efficient administration of the Specific Claims Tribunal
Description
Why is this a priority? With claims now being filed, it is imperative that the Registry provide the Tribunal with the support it needs with respect to human resources and technology so that it can efficiently process claims. Plans for meeting the priority Staffing key support positions and implementing the necessary technological tools will enable the Tribunal to hear claims expeditiously, locally and in the provinces, while reducing travel-related expenditures.

Priority	Type	Strategic Outcome
Implement and continue to upgrade an electronic registry	On-going	Efficient administration of the Specific Claims Tribunal
Status
Why is this a priority? An efficient electronic registry allows claimants to file documents electronically through the Tribunal website and allows Tribunal Members immediate access to case documents from their respective chambers across Canada. The posting on our website of all public documents filed on a case informs the public and potential claimants of the status of claims. Plans for meeting the priority We will enhance our document management system in light of requirements identified through the scheduling of case management conferences for claims. We will continue to use the website as our key communication tool with our stakeholders and the public.

Priority	Type	Strategic Outcome
Work with Central Agencies to secure the level of funding required to support the work of the Tribunal	New	Efficient administration of the Specific Claims Tribunal
Status
Why is this a priority? The funding for the Registry has been approved until the end of the fiscal year; therefore, additional funding authorities are required to continue to support the work of the Tribunal in future years. Plans for meeting the priority The Registry will work closely with Central Agencies to secure the necessary level of funding to continue to process claims in an efficient and timely manner over the next fiscal years.

Priority	Type	Strategic Outcome
Delivery of training including: cultural, values and ethics training and professional development	On-going	Efficient administration of the Specific Claims Tribunal
Status
Why is this a priority? Providing learning and development opportunities to staff is important for maintaining a competent work force and is a key factor in employee retention. Registry staff who are in contact with claimants must exercise their duties in a culturally respectful manner and in a way that respects the values and ethics of the public service. Plans for meeting the priority Emphasis will be placed on the provision of cultural training and on encouraging employees to take charge of their careers and professional development.

Risk Analysis

The Registry has an ongoing major planning challenge as its activities are driven by external demands that it can only react to rather than plan for. It cannot accurately determine how many claims will be filed in any given fiscal year.

A claim is eligible to be filed with the Registry by a First Nation only once the claim has been submitted to the Specific Claims Branch at Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AAND) and has gone through its specific claims process. The decision to file a claim rests entirely with the First Nation. Currently, there are over several hundred claims eligible to be filed with the Tribunal, but, to date, less than twenty (20) claims have been filed. Additional claims will continue to become eligible to be filed in the current and future years. 

This situation poses a significant problem for the Registry as it must have sufficient human and financial resources to support the work of the Tribunal. Securing the funding to support such operational requirements without being able to predict, with any degree of certainty, the level of resources required is a major challenge for the organization. Another substantive risk the Registry faces relates to predicting the financial costs associated with Tribunal hearings as these costs are a function of the number of hearing days required for each claim.

The Registry will closely monitor the intake of new claims and the cost of processing claims already filed and will keep Central Agencies informed of any potential shortfalls.

Planning Summary

Financial Resources ($ thousands)

2012-13	2013-14	2014-15
$2,847	See note2	See note2

The Registry expects to fully utilize its financial resources in 2012-13 as the Tribunal is now fully operational and hearings of claims will take place during the year. The Registry was established in 2008 and funding was provided until the end of 2012-13. Work is underway to secure additional funding for 2013-14 and future years. The approval process will be finalized later this fiscal year.

Human Resources (Full-Time Equivalents-FTEs)

2012-13	2013-14	2014-15
17	See note2	See note2

The human resources table above provides the total of approved full-time equivalents for the Registry of the Specific Claims Tribunal. The Registry was established in 2008 and funding was provided until the end of 2012-13. Work is underway to secure funding for 2013-14 and future years. The approval process will be finalized later this fiscal year.

Strategic Outcome: Efficient Administration of the Specific Claims Tribunal

Performance Indicators	Targets
Client level of satisfaction regarding quality of service	80% satisfaction
Tribunal Members’ level of satisfaction regarding quality of service	80% satisfaction

Planning Summary Table
($ thousands)

Program Activity	Forecast Spending 2011-12	Planned Spending			Alignment to Government of Canada Outcomes
		2012-13	2013-14	2014-15
Registry Services	$2,281	$2,278	See note2	See note2	A vibrant Canadian Culture and Heritage
Total Planned Spending		$2,278	See note2	See note2

Planning Summary Table
($ thousands)

Program Activity	Forecast Spending 2011-12	Planned Spending
		2012-13	2013-14	2014-15
Internal Services	$570	$569	See note2	See note2
Total Planned Spending		$569	See note2	See note2

Expenditure Profile

 

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Having officially opened its doors in June of 2011, the Registry expects to fully utilize its authorized funding in 2012-2013. The Tribunal will hold its first hearing during this fiscal year and additional claims will certainly be filed. Taking into consideration that the Registry cannot predict its workload but can only react to it, vigilant forecasting and monitoring of claim intake will take place to ensure that the Tribunal has sufficient resources to carry out its mandate.

Estimates by Vote

For information on our organizational appropriations, please see the 2012-13 Main Estimates publication.

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