2017-2018 Quarterly Financial Report - ended June 30, 2017

Statement outlining results, risks and significant changes in operations, personnel and program

1. Introduction

The Office of the Information Commissioner of Canada (OIC) has prepared this quarterly report under section 65.1 of the Financial Administration Act and in the form and manner prescribed by the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat. This report should be read in conjunction with the Main Estimates. It has not been subject to an external audit or review.

The OIC conducts efficient, fair and confidential investigations into complaints about federal institutions’ handling of access to information requests. The goal of these investigations is to maximize compliance with the Access to Information Act while fostering disclosure of public sector information. The Commissioner uses the full range of tools, activities and powers at her disposal, from mediation to persuasion and litigation, as required.

The OIC also supports the Commissioner in her advisory role to Parliament and parliamentary committees on all access to information matters. In delivering its mandate, the OIC promotes information rights and advocates a culture of openness to ensure government transparency, accountability and citizen engagement.

Further information on the OIC’s mandate, responsibilities and program activities can be found in the OIC’s Departmental Plan 2017-2018.

1.1. Basis of Presentation

This quarterly report was prepared on an expenditure basis. The accompanying Statement of Authorities includes the OIC's spending authorities granted by Parliament and those used by the OIC, consistent with the Main Estimates for 2017-2018. The authority of Parliament is required before money can be spent by federal organizations. Organizations receive annually approved expenditure limits through appropriation acts or through legislation in the form of statutory spending authority for specific purposes. In light of this, this report was prepared using a special purpose financial reporting framework designed to meet financial information needs related to the use of spending authorities.

The OIC uses the full accrual method of accounting to prepare and present the annual financial statements that are part of the departmental performance reporting process. However, the spending authorities voted by Parliament remain on an expenditure basis.

2. Highlights of Fiscal Quarter and Year-to-Date Results

The Statement of Authorities below shows that the OIC spent approximately 22.4% of its authorities for the current fiscal year 2017-2018. Because personnel expenses represent 82.2% of expenditures, the spending is spread out equally over the year.

This statement also indicates a decrease in the Total Available for Use of $96,000. The net decrease is mainly due to:        

• a decrease to the employee benefit plans (EBP) rate in from 17.2% to 15.7%.

As Table 1 indicates, the OIC’s total budgetary expenditures as of June 30, 2017 decreased by an amount of $418,000 or 14.3% when compared to the expenditures reported for the same period in 2016-2017. The net decrease is mainly attributable to:

• a decrease in personnel type expenditures related to staffing;
• an increase in professional and other services to assist in carrying out the OIC mandate, which mainly includes temporary help services, legal services, management consulting,  and translation service requests; and
• a decrease in acquisitions of equipment due to purchases done in 2016-2017 to accommodate more staff and improve the network.

3. Risks and Uncertainties

In recent years, the growing numbers of access requests and the resulting number of complaints has led to a large increase in the OIC inventory of complaints (over 3,000) and consequently, to an unacceptable delay in being able to assign and complete the investigations of these complaints.

Although the Information Commissioner has reallocated and reorganized resources, outsourced services, and implemented continuous business process improvements, the OIC requires supplementary funding to avoid further increases in its inventory of complaints and to investigate the complaints it receives in a timely manner. Therefore, the OIC seek the approval of Parliament through the Supplementary Estimates B for the authority to spend in 2017-2018  unspent funds from 2016-2017 and 2015-2016 to address immediate pressure across the system, allowing the Information Commissioner to carry out her mandate effectively and ensuring that the rights conferred by the ATIA are respected. 

On June 19, 2017, the Government tabled Bill C-58, An Act to amend the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts. It is currently at first reading. If passed in its current form, this legislation may impact the OIC’s mandate and the number and nature of complaints.

The OIC continues to take actions to mitigate the issues arising with the implementation of the new Phoenix pay system for its employees and monitor closely any salary payments adjustments that may be required.

4. Significant changes in Operations, Personnel and Program

June 2017 marked the end of Suzanne Legault’s 7 year mandate as Information Commissioner of Canada. The Commissioner was given a further six-month mandate ending on December 29, 2017.

There were no significant changes in operations, personnel or program in the first quarter of 2017-2018.

Approved by:

Suzanne Legault
Information Commissioner of Canada

Layla Michaud, LL.L, CPA, CMA, MBA
Acting Assistant Commissioner and Chief Financial Officer

Gatineau, Canada
June 30, 2017

Statement of authorities (unaudited)

* Includes only authorities available for use and granted by Parliament at quarter-end.

Departmental budgetary expenditures by Standard Object (unaudited)