OPERATIONS
INSTITUTION CANADA
TRANSPARENCY
LAW
Access to Information Act 1983 (ATIA)
Their primary mandate is to investigate complaints about non-compliance with the ATIA.
FUNCTIONS Complaints may come from individuals, organizations or the commissioner may initiate an investigation.
DESCRIPTION Priority is to complete older cases faster, before the end of this year (Fiscal year from April 1, 2010-March 31, 2011).
98 percent of cases are resolved without going to court
NUMBER OF
EMPLOYEES
106 people
BUDGET us$ 12.062.000
INSTITUTIONAL CHALLENGES
INSTITUTION CANADÁ
Increase efficiency and speed of investigations and prevent arrears (goal: 85 per cent of cases are resolved in 90 days).
STRATEGIC Reverse declining trends in timeliness and disclosure of public sector information with a view to getting less complaints per year (not controllable).
OBJECTIVES Citizens being able to file complaints electronically.
Talent management (performance management, career development, succession planning and maintenance of corporate memory)..
Take advantage of ICTs and have a model of information management.
MANAGEMENT
INDICATORS
Each director has a performance management agreement with annual goals
Large number of older and more complex cases to resolve.
INSTITUTIONAL Staff retention and recruitment of qualified investigators.
CHALLENGES Timely resolution of cases.
No order-making (executive) powers to require the disclosure of records (only recommendation powers)
STRENGHTS AND WEAKNESESS
INSTITUTION CANADÁ
Human factor, good teamwork, commitment.
Agile and well-organized institution.
STRENGTHS/WHAT
WORKS BEST
Ability to resolve complaints without going to court.
Officer of Parliament
Credibility by being independent of government and reporting directly to Parliament.
Limited budget.
WEAKNESESS / WHAT
Body of law has become outdated (adopted in 1983).
YOU NEED TO Large inventory of cases: queue delay for resolving complaints – need to maximize efficiency of investigations.
IMPROVE Building capacity and expertise internally with additional training.
Need to improve talent management and corporate memory.
Need for greater use of ICT to increase the efficiency of investigations.
INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY
INSTITUTION CANADÁ
SKILLS /
KNOWLEDGE /
EXPERIENCE
REQUIRED TO Legal knowledge, research, analysis, writing skills and negotiation.
PERFORM THE Enthusiasm and curiosity, customer oriented, good judgment, reliability, motivated, versatility and flexibility
MAIN ACTIVITIES
OF THE
INSTITUTION
Expertise with the legislation (including exemptions, exclusions, and the application of discretion)
Research/investigative methodologies (good processes to deal with complaints)
In what areas we Promotion of active transparency (open government).
can contribute Maintaining good working relationships with public bodies and complainants
Performance measurement for investigative bodies..
Sound governance including human resources planning and policies.
Good practices on efficient investigative processes to resolve complaints quickly without affecting the quality of the investigations.
In what areas we Experience from other countries (Mexico) in use of electronic tools and use of technology to improve the process of access to information.
need support
Strategies to retain employees and corporate memory.
SHARING EXPERIENCES
INSTITUTION CANADÁ
EXCHANGE
EXPERIENCES Limited resources for travel.
BY THE Canada will host the International Conference of Information Commissioner in October 2011
INSTITUTION
BARRIERS AND
PROBLEMS
DETECTED
LESSONS
LEARNED FROM
EXPERIENCED
EXCHANGE
LESSONS
LEARNED
REGISTRATION
PROCESS