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ARCHIVED - Offices of the Information and Privacy Commissioners of Canada
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Section IV: Other Items of Interest
The Management Activity of the Program Activity Architecture serves to effectively support the delivery of Program Activity 1. This section presents the internal services that form the Management Activity, and what each service accomplished in 2006-2007.
Management Control and Accountability
During the reporting year, the OIC initiated the process of establishing an internal audit regime in order to comply with the Treasury Board of Canada’s new Policy on Internal Audit that came into effect on April 1, 2006 and requires that its implementation be phased in between April 1, 2006 and April 1, 2009. The policy’s objective is to strengthen public sector accountability, risk management, resource stewardship, and good governance by reorganizing and bolstering internal audit on a government-wide basis. For the first time, the Information Commissioner is required to establish an internal audit function, establish an independent audit committee, appoint a chief audit executive, and approve a risk-based internal audit plan. Through a Treasury Board submission, the OIC will request additional funding for this initiative. During the reporting period, the OIC started developing an Internal Audit Committee Charter and worked on the development of its first internal audit plan.
Human Resources
During 2006-2007 the OIC moved to the next phase of the Public Service Modernization Act implementation - to fully and effectively exercise its new authorities, responsibilities and roles arising from the new legislation. Some of the activities/initiatives undertaken were the continued development of the organization's staffing monitoring framework, development of new human resources policies and revision of existing policies. The OIC is now fully compliant with all mandatory requirements resulting from the new Public Service Labour Relations Act.
In addition, efforts to enhance investigator training through the enhanced training program for new and experienced investigators and the new Investigator Career Progression Program were established in 2006-2007.
Information Management / Information Technology (IM/IT)
The OIC learned on February 22, 2007 that it, as well as the other Officers of Parliament, would be subject to the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act as of April 1, 2007. During the reporting period, the OIC started putting in place the legal and operational requirement necessary to comply with both Acts. An Access to Information and Privacy Coordinator was appointed, with full delegation to answer access requests. The OIC has established a process whereby complaints under the Act against the Information Commissioner can be independently investigated: former Supreme Court of Canada Justice, the Honourable Peter Corey, agreed to undertake the role. Arrangements are being made to meet the requirements of the National Librarian and Archivist on the management of information, and OIC Personal Information Banks are being registered with the Treasury Board. The OIC is preparing a Treasury Board submission for additional funding associated with this initiative.
Major network computer components were replaced during this fiscal year. This is due to the fact that demand for electronic documents increased and old components were more than five years old. Also, a strategic work plan was prepared to upgrade the OIC current records and management document application (RDIMS).
OIC required tracking correspondence systems to integrate with the main investigation application. User case studies and requirements were gathered to implement a new correspondent tracking system.
In 2006, for the first celebration of the Right to Know week in Canada, the OIC developed a webpage (website) with a specific address: www.righttoknow.ca/ www.droitdesavoir.ca.This website/address will become the HUB for the Right to Know in Canada and for the Right to Know celebrations in Canada. This website will be an official awareness tool for Canadians on issues relating to access to information.
The Right to Know website is currently being hosted together with the OIC website in a temporary folder. This website will be separate from the OIC’s website (www.infocom.gc.ca). The OIC’s website is to remain the official portal for the Office and its official business (i.e., investigations, annual reports, special reports, speeches etc.). The Right to Know website will complement the official one. The goal is to design a website that is appealing to a broad audience, and if the users wish to know more about the OIC activities, they can link to the official website.
Administration
The Federal Accountability Act came into force on April 1, 2007. The OIC is now subject to the Privacy Act and the Access to Information Act. The OIC has designated an Access to Information Coordinator to ensure compliance with the Acts. Additional funding will be sought and human and technological resources will need to be acquired for this program.
Communications
Through a Treasury Board submission, the OIC received additional funding to establish a communications directorate dedicated to improving its communications. The OIC has initiated the process of staffing three new positions. These positions will assist our Office to become more active in communicating with government officials and institutions, external stakeholders, the public and media.