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Appendix E

Sample Risk Identification Lists

A hierarchy of possible risks displayed in a pyramid model.

A hierarchy of possible risks. Cross-functional or interdisciplinary teams would be best suited to develop an inventory of potential risks in a holistic and comprehensive manner.

Source: Canadian Centre for Management Development, A Foundation for Developing Risk Management Learning Strategies in the Public Service (2001)

Potential Sources of Risk

Description of Views or Perspective	Strategic Perspective Sources that can impede the achievement of mandate and objectives	Business Line Perspective Sources that can impede the achievement of business line or program objectives	Corporate Management Perspective Sources that may not effectively support the achievement of results	Compliance Perspective Sources that could embarrass the organization or cause liabilities for not complying with laws and regulations	Government Agenda Perspective Sources that are critical to ensure alignment with government-wide commitments
Sources of Risk	Strategic policy and strategy corporate reputation political factors public expectations stakeholder relations media relations industry developments changing demographics globalization national security threats business continuity emergency preparedness technology trends economic trends competitive trends	Business Line business line activities program activities program delivery client services service delivery alliances, partnerships major projects	Corporate Management structure and reporting relationships planning and priority setting budgeting and resource allocation expenditure management revenue and cost recovery transfer payments procurement and contracting financial management performance management project management change management inventory management asset management human resources information and knowledge information technology communications risk management	Compliance funding and appropriations statutory reporting compliance with laws and regulations compliance with central agency policies agreements and contractual obligations workplace health and safety environmental protection security, privacy and confidentiality legal liabilities and litigation	Governement Agenda citizen focus values and ethics accountability transparency responsible spending client satisfaction Government On-Line improved reporting modern comptrollership fairness and equity Results for Canadians modern HRM integrated risk management
Source: Risk-based Internal Audit Priorities Toolset for Small Departments and Agencies (March 2003). Available at: http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/ia-vi/policies-politiques/priorities-priorites/priorities-priorites-eng.pdf

A Sample of Risks Subject to
Government Intervention

Transportation

automobiles, motorcycles
trucks
railroads
aircraft
ships, barges, other watercraft
pipelines (oil, gas, water, commodities)
electricity (especially electromagnetic fields)

Environment

climate change
air, water, land pollution (e.g. acid rain, urban smog, contaminated sites)
forestry practices
toxic substances
biodiversity and endangered species
fisheries
ozone depletion

Natural Resources

access and use of renewable resources (fish, timber, water, wildlife)
access to and use of non-renewable resources (petroleum, coal, natural gas, minerals)

Consumer Products

automobiles (e.g. seatbelts, airbags, bumpers, running lights, fuel standards)
drugs (for humans and animals)
medical devices
children's toys, clothes, cribs, car seats, etc.
explosives
pleasure boats (e.g. Jet Ski)
tires

Food

food contamination during production and distribution
food labelling
pesticide application and residuals in food
bovine growth hormone in milk
irradiation
genetically modified foods

Technology

nuclear power
biotechnology
genetic engineering
information technologies

Occupational

workplace safety

Economic or Financial

related to financial instruments and institutions
- securities (debt and equity)
- banking and other financial institutions
- insurance companies
- pension plans
- deposit insurance
related to purchase of products
- product labelling, including trademarks
- weights and measures
- misleading advertising or marketing practices
- quality assurance (e.g. birth control devices)
- efficacy of professional services
related to income level and flow
- employment insurance
- Canada Pension Plan
- welfare payments
- workers' compensation
- crop insurance
- disaster relief (ad hoc)

Human Safety

Infrastructure
- dams, bridges, utility lines, roadways, pipelines
Natural disasters
- weather events (hurricanes, tornados, floods, ice storms, blizzards, droughts, avalanches)
- earthquakes
- forest or grassland fires

Security

National security
- defence against invasion or attack
- protection against subversion from within
Personal security of citizens
- police
- firefighters

Rights

human rights (including those in the Charter)
collective bargaining
humane treatment of animals

Adapted from W. T. Stanbury, 2000, unpublished working paper submitted to CCMD Roundtable members.

Umbrella of Risk

Example of risks displayed in an 'Umbrella of Risk' chart

Source: Presentation by Kevin W. Knight, Ottawa, June 2003