Corporate Services provides financial, human resources, information management/information technology, and general administrative services to the Office of the Information Commissioner’s main activity. Such services are essential to the ability to manage the office’s operations strategically, fulfill its mandate, meet the expectations of Parliamentarians and Canadians, and achieve its strategic outcomes. It also provides the important infrastructure to support the OIC’s decision-making function and to implement government-wide management initiatives.

As has been mentioned previously in this report, the office has been in a resource crisis for the past several years. Corporate Services worked closely with operational managers to ensure that all possible efficiency savings were identified and implemented consistent with statutory obligations and prevailing professional service standards.

Additional governance and accountability structures were put into place, such as the Management Accountability Framework (MAF).

Accounting and reporting of financial activities consistent with government policies, directives, and standards was continued and, during the period under review, the Office of the Information Commissioner underwent its third annual audit, conducted by the Office of the Auditor General (OAG). A copy of the audit results are available on request, or at the commissioner’s website.

The main activity for Human Resources during 2005-06, was the implementation of the Public Service Modernization Act.

During the period under review, all policies, Human Resource delegations, conflict resolution instruments, and so forth were updated to reflect changes brought about as a result of legislative amendments associated with the coming into force of the new Public Service Modernization Act. In addition, all OIC staff received corresponding training.

In managing a high volume of cases originating from across the country, the OIC relies on up-to-date, automated technological systems and tools to enable decision-makers and employees to share and exchange information, support case preparation, manage the flow of cases through various stages, and communicate and consult with stakeholders.

During the period covered by this Annual Report, the Information Technology Branch upgraded its: Records Documentation Information Management System (RDIMS); Integrated Investigations Application (IIA), which is its main case-tracking system; and, its Legal Tracking System (LTS).

In addition, the Information Technology Branch increased the office’s internet security through the introduction of anti-spam and anti-spyware.

During the period covered by this report, Administrative Services focused on ensuring its acquisitions were fair and transparent, and provided good value for money.

As discussed previously in this report, a House of Commons Panel on the Funding of Officers of Parliament has been created. Corporate Services plays a central role in coordinating communications with the panel and the Treasury Board Secretariat, and in preparing and presenting the OIC’s resource requests and justifications.

Figure 1 summarizes the office’s operating budget and FTE (full time staff equivalents) utilization for 2005-06. Figure 2 breaks down the utilization of resources by category of expenditure.

* Excludes Employee Benefits
** The non-salary portion of the Corporate Services' operating budget includes approximately 90% of program-related expenditures.

Notes:

1. Excludes Employee Benefit Plan (EBP).
2. Expenditure figures do not incorporate final year-end adjustments.
3. Corporate Services' expenditures for Standard Objects 02-12 primarily represent program-related disbursements (approximately 90%).