Annual Report to Parliament on Administration of the Privacy Act 2015-2016

   Privacy Act 2015-2016(PDF)

April 1, 2015 to March 31, 2016

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. About the ATSSC
  3. The Access to Information and Privacy Office
  4. ATSSC Statistical Overview
  5. Disposition of Completed Requests
  6. Exemptions Invoked
  7. Extensions and Completion Time
  8. Consultations
  9. Training Activities
  10. Policies, Guidelines and Procedures
  11. Complaints
  12. Monitoring
  13. Material Privacy Breaches
  14. Privacy Impact Assessments
  15. Disclosure of Personal Information Pursuant to Paragraph 8(2)(m) of the Act

1. Introduction

The Administrative Tribunals Support Service of Canada (ATSSC) is pleased to present to Parliament its annual report on the administration of the Privacy Act (the Act) for fiscal year April 1, 2015 to March 31, 2016.

Section 72 of the Act requires the head of every federal government institution to prepare and table an annual report to Parliament on the administration of the Act during the fiscal year. This report provides an overview of the activities of the ATSSC in implementing the Act during the organization’s first full fiscal cycle.

The purpose of the Privacy Act is to protect the privacy of individuals with respect to personal information about themselves held by a government institution and to provide individuals with a right of access to their information. It also protects the privacy of individuals by exercising strict control over the collection, disclosure and use of such information.

The ATSSC is fully committed to both the spirit and the intent of the Act to foster a culture of openness and transparency while ensuring the privacy of individuals with respect to their personal information held by the organization.

2. About the ATSSC

The Administrative Tribunals Support Service of Canada (ATSSC) was established on November 1, 2014, with the coming into force of the Administrative Tribunals Support Service of Canada Act. The ATSSC is responsible for providing support services and facilities to 11 federal administrative tribunals by way of a single, integrated organization.

These services include the specialized services required by each tribunal (e.g., registry, research and analysis, legal and other case- and mandate-specific work), as well as corporate services (e.g., human resources, financial services, information technology, accommodations, and security).

The administrative tribunals served by the ATSSC include:

  • the Canada Agricultural Review Tribunal;
  • the Canada Industrial Relations Board;
  • the Canadian Cultural Property Export Review Board;
  • the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal;
  • the Canadian International Trade Tribunal;
  • the Competition Tribunal;
  • the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Tribunal;
  • the Public Service Labour Relations and Employment Board;
  • the Specific Claims Tribunal;
  • the Social Security Tribunal of Canada; and
  • the Transportation Appeal Tribunal of Canada.

The ATSSC also supports the National Joint Council, the forum for co-development, consultation and information sharing between the government as employer and public service bargaining agents.

The ATSSC reports to Parliament through the Minister of Justice.

3. The Access to Information and Privacy Office

The Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP) Office is responsible for administering the Privacy Act (the Act) on behalf of the ATSSC. Its mandate is to ensure compliance with the legislation, regulations and government policy and to create organizational standards and directives relating to the Act. Responsibility for the powers, duties and functions for the administration of the Act has been formally established and is outlined in the Designation Order signed by the Chief Administrator. The Executive Secretary and the ATIP Manager have been delegated authorities as described in the Designation Order included in Appendix A.

Within the ATSSC’s organizational structure, the ATIP Office reports to the Executive Secretary’s Office, which is under the direction of the Chief Administrator. Oversight of the ATIP Office is administered by the Executive Secretary. The ATIP Office consists of the manager, one analyst and one administrative assistant dedicated to access to information and privacy activities.

The ATIP Office receives, coordinates and processes requests in accordance with the Act, promotes awareness of the Act within the organization, fulfills reporting responsibilities relating to the Act, and provides expert advice and guidance to senior management and ATSSC staff on the Act.

4. ATSSC Statistical Overview

The ATSSC received a total of 3 formal requests under the Act. All three requests were completed this reporting period.

In addition to the formal requests, the ATSSC received 13 consultations from other government institutions. A copy of the Statistical Report is included in Appendix B.

5. Disposition of Completed Requests

During this reporting period, the ATSSC completed 3 requests under the Act, 2 of which resulted in a partial release. The remaining request was abandoned.

6. Exemptions Invoked

The Privacy Act sets out specific exceptions to the right of access known as exemptions. Each exemption is intended to protect information relating to a particular public or private interest and form the only basis for refusing access to personal information under the Privacy Act. In the processing of requests, the only exemption invoked was section 26 (personal information about another individual), which was applied in 2 cases.

7. Extensions and Completion Time

Requests can be extended beyond the 30-day statutory time frame in three circumstances: when the request is for a large number of records or necessitates a search through a large number of records (paragraph 15(a)(i) of the Act); when consultations are necessary (paragraph 15(a)(ii) of the Act); or if additional time is necessary for translation or conversion into another format. During this reporting period, no extensions were required.

The ATSSC responded to 2 requests within 16 to 30 days. The abandoned request was closed within 1 to 15 days. All 3 requests were completed within the statutory time frame.

8. Consultations

Along with processing requests received under the Act, the ATIP Office provides recommendations to other institutions regarding the release of records that concern the ATSSC. During this reporting period, the ATSSC received 13 consultation requests from other federal institutions.

9. Training Activities

Ongoing privacy briefings occurred on an ad-hoc basis with our liaison officers. The liaison officers assist the ATIP Office in producing the requested records and providing insight into the subject matter of the requests. No structured training activities were provided during this reporting period. A training plan will be developed in the next fiscal year.

10. Policies, Guidelines and Procedures

The ATSSC is guided by the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS) access to information and privacy policy and guidance instruments. During this reporting period, the ATIP Office established a process map, procured an ATIP case management and document redaction system, and created an inventory of reference materials.

11. Complaints

The ATSSC was not the subject of any complaints filed with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner during the reporting period.

12. Monitoring

The monitoring of privacy requests was conducted via a detailed spreadsheet containing all relevant and necessary information to ensure compliance with the legislated requirements and reporting obligations. The spreadsheet was updated as new requests were received or the status of a file was changed. Weekly meetings between the ATIP Manager and the Executive Secretary to discuss workload and priorities also assisted the ATSSC in meeting its statutory obligations.

13. Material Privacy Breaches

A privacy breach is deemed material if the breach involves sensitive personal information that could reasonably be expected to cause serious injury or harm to the individual, or involves a large number of affected individuals. During this reporting period, the ATSSC did not experience any material breaches.

14. Privacy Impact Assessments

Privacy Impact Assessments (PIAs) are used to identify the potential privacy risks of new or redesigned federal government programs or services. They also help eliminate or reduce those risks to an acceptable level.

The ATSSC did not initiate any PIAs during the reporting period.

15. Disclosure of Personal Information Pursuant to Paragraph 8(2)(m) of the Act

Subsection 8(2) of the Act stipulates under which circumstances personal information under the control of a government institution may be disclosed. Paragraph 8(2)(m) states that disclosure of personal information is permitted for any purpose where, in the opinion of the head of the institution, the public interest in disclosure clearly outweighs any invasion of privacy that could result from the disclosure, or the disclosure would clearly benefit the individual to whom the information relates. During this reporting period, no disclosures were made pursuant to paragraph 8(2)(m) of the Privacy Act.


Appendix A

Privacy Act
Designation Order

Privacy Act
Designation Order

BY THIS ORDER made pursuant to section 73* of the Privacy Act, I hereby designate the persons holding the positions set out in Schedule A, or the person occupying the position on an acting basis, to exercise the powers, duties and functions of the Chief Administrator, as the head of the Administrative Tribunals Support Service of Canada, under the provisions of the Act and related regulations, as specified in Schedule B, effective from November 1, 2014.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Dated, at the City of Ottawa, this 3rd day of November, 2014.

*R.S., 1985, c. p. 21

Original signed by
Marie-France Pelletier
______________________________________
NAME
Chief Administrator


SCHEDULE A

Position:

Chief Administrator
Executive Secretary
Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP) Manager

SCHEDULE B

Privacy Act
Designation Order

"F" = Full Authority
"N" = No Authority. Authority to be obtained from the next level up.

Item # DESCRIPTION OF AUTHORITY PA SECTION CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR EXECUTIVE SECRETARY ATIP MANAGER
DISCLOSURE
1. Disclosure to investigative body 8(2)(e) F F N
2. Disclosure for research or statistical purposes 8(2)(j) F F F
3. Disclosure in the public interest or in the interest of the individual 8(2)(m) F F N
4. Copies of requests under paragraph 8(2)(e) 8(4) F F F
5. Notice of disclosure under paragraph 8(2)(m) 8(5) F F F
6. Record of disclosures 9(1) F F F
7. Consistent uses 9(4) F F F
PERSONAL INFORMATION BANKS
8. Personal information banks 10(1) F F F
9. Produce Index of Personal Information (InfoSource) entries 11 F F F
ACCESS
10. Notice when access requested 14(a) F F F
11. Giving access to the record 14(b) F F F
12. Extension of time limits 15 F F F
13. Notify where access refused 16(1) F F F
14. Language of access 17(2)(b) F F F
15. Access in an alternative format 17(3)(b) F F F
EXEMPTIONS
16. Refuse access - Exempt banks 18(2) F F F
17. Refuse access - Information obtained in confidence 19 F F N
18. Refuse access - Federal-provincial affairs 20 F F N
19. Refuse access - International affairs and defence 21 F F N
20. Refuse access - Law enforcement and investigations 22 F F N
21. Refuse access - Security clearances 23 F F N
22. Refuse access - Individuals sentenced for an offence 24 F F N
23. Refuse access - Safety of individuals 25 F F N
24. Refuse access - Information about another individual 26 F F F
25. Refuse access - Solicitor-client privilege 27 F F F
26. Refuse access - Medical records 28 F F F
COMPLAINTS
27. Right to make representations 33(2) F F F
28. Notice of actions to implement recommendations of Commissioner 35(1)(b) F F F
29. Access to be given to complainant 35(4) F F F
30. Notice of actions to implement recommendations of Commissioner concerning exempt banks 36(3)(b) F F F
31. Special rules for hearings 51(2),
51(3)
F F F
EXCLUSIONS
32. Cabinet confidences 69, 70 F F F
33. Annual report to Parliament 72 F F F
34. Authority to delegate by Head of institution 73 F N/A N/A

Privacy Regulations
Designation Order

"F" = Full Authority
"N" = No Authority. Authority to be obtained from the next level up.

Item # DESCRIPTION OF AUTHORITY PRIVACY REGULATIONS SECTION CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR EXECUTIVE SECRETARY ATIP MANAGER
1. Retention of personal information requested under paragraph 8(2)(e) 7 F F F
2. Examination of information 9(a) F F F
3. Set time for examination 9(b) F F F
4. Notification concerning corrections 11(2),11(4) F F F
5. Disclosure of personal information relating to physical or mental health 13(1) F F F
6. Examination in presence of medical practitioner or psychologist 14 F F F

Appendix B

Privacy Act
Statistical Report

Name of institution: Administrative Tribunals Support Service of Canada

Reporting period: 2015-04-01 to 2016-03-31

Part 1: Requests Under the Privacy Act

  Number of Requests
Received during reporting period 3
Outstanding from previous reporting period 0
Total 3
Closed during reporting period 3
Carried over to next reporting period 0

Part 2: Requests Closed During the Reporting Period

2.1 Disposition and completion time

Disposition of Requests Completion Time
1 to 15 Days 16 to 30 Days 31 to 60 Days 61 to 120 Days 121 to 180 Days 181 to 365 Days More Than 365 Days Total
All disclosed 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Disclosed in part 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2
All exempted 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
All excluded 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
No records exist 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Request abandoned 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
Neither confirmed nor denied 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 3

2.2 Exemptions

Section Number of Requests Section Number of Requests Section Number of Requests
18(2) 0 22(1)(a)(i) 0 23(a) 0
19(1)(a) 0 22(1)(a)(ii) 0 23(b) 0
19(1)(b) 0 22(1)(a)(iii) 0 24(a) 0
19(1)(c) 0 22(1)(b) 0 24(b) 0
19(1)(d) 0 22(1)(c) 0 25 0
19(1)(e) 0 22(2) 0 26 2
19(1)(f) 0 22.1 0 27 0
20 0 22.2 0 28 0
21 0 22.3 0    

2.3 Exclusions

Section Number of Requests Section Number of Requests Section Number of Requests
69(1)(a) 0 70(1) 0 70(1)(d) 0
69(1)(b) 0 70(1)(a) 0 70(1)(e) 0
69.1 0 70(1)(b) 0 70(1)(f) 0
    70(1)(c) 0 70.1 0

2.4 Format of information released

Disposition Paper Electronic Other Formats
All disclosed 0 0 0
Disclosed in part 2 0 0
Total 2 0 0

2.5 Complexity

2.5.1 Relevant pages processed and disclosed
Disposition of Requests Number of Pages Processed Number of Pages Disclosed Number of Requests
All disclosed 0 0 0
Disclosed in part 17 17 2
All exempted 0 0 0
All excluded 0 0 0
Request abandoned 0 0 1
Neither confirmed nor denied 0 0 0
Total 17 17 3
2.5.2 Relevant pages processed and disclosed by size of requests
Disposition Less Than 100 Pages Processed 101-500 Pages Processed 501-1000 Pages Processed 1001-5000 Pages Processed More Than 5000 Pages Processed
Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed
All disclosed 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Disclosed in part 2 17 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
All exempted 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
All excluded 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Request abandoned 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Neither confirmed nor denied 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 3 17 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2.5.3 Other complexities
Disposition Consultation Required Legal Advice Sought Interwoven Information Other Total
All disclosed 0 0 0 0 0
Disclosed in part 0 0 0 0 0
All exempted 0 0 0 0 0
All excluded 0 0 0 0 0
Request abandoned 0 0 0 0 0
Neither confirmed nor denied 0 0 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0 0 0

2.6 Deemed refusals

2.6.1 Reasons for not meeting statutory deadline
Number of Requests Closed Past the Statutory Deadline Principal Reason
Workload External Consultation Internal Consultation Other
0 0 0 0 0
2.6.2 Number of days past deadline
Number of Days Past Deadline Number of Requests Past Deadline Where No Extension Was Taken Number of Requests Past Deadline Where An Extension Was Taken Total
1 to 15 days 0 0 0
16 to 30 days 0 0 0
31 to 60 days 0 0 0
61 to 120 days 0 0 0
121 to 180 days 0 0 0
181 to 365 days 0 0 0
More than 365 days 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0

2.7 Requests for translation

Translation Requests Accepted Refused Total
English to French 0 0 0
French to English 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0

Part 3: Disclosures Under Subsections 8(2) and 8(5)

Paragraph 8(2)(e) Paragraph 8(2)(m) Subsection 8(5) Total
0 0 0 0

Part 4: Requests for Correction of Personal Information and Notations

Disposition for Correction Requests Received Number
Notations attached 0
Requests for correction accepted 0
Total 0

Part 5: Extensions

5.1 Reasons for extensions and disposition of requests

Disposition of Requests Where an Extension Was Taken 15(a)(i)
Interference With Operations
15(a)(ii)
Consultation
15(b)
Translation or Conversion
Section 70 Other
All disclosed 0 0 0 0
Disclosed in part 0 0 0 0
All exempted 0 0 0 0
All excluded 0 0 0 0
No records exist 0 0 0 0
Request abandoned 0 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0 0

5.2 Length of extensions

Length of Extensions 15(a)(i)
Interference With Operations
15(a)(ii)
Consultation
15(b)
Translation purposes
Section 70 Other
1 to 15 days 0 0 0 0
16 to 30 days 0 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0 0

Part 6: Consultations Received From Other Institutions and Organizations

6.1 Consultations received from other Government of Canada institutions and other organizations

Consultations Other Government of Canada Institutions Number of Pages to Review Other Organizations Number of Pages to Review
Received during reporting period 13 492 0 0
Outstanding from the previous reporting period 0 0 0 0
Total 13 492 0 0
Closed during the reporting period 12 458 0 0
Pending at the end of the reporting period 1 34 0 0

6.2 Recommendations and completion time for consultations received from other Government of Canada institutions

Recommendation Number of Days Required to Complete Consultation Requests
1 to 15 Days 16 to 30 Days 31 to 60 Days 61 to 120 Days 121 to 180 Days 181 to 365 Days More Than 365 Days Total
All disclosed 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 6
Disclose in part 1 2 2 0 0 0 0 5
All exempted 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
All excluded 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Consult other institution 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Other 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
Total 5 4 3 0 0 0 0 12

6.3 Recommendations and completion time for consultations received from other organizations

Recommendation Number of Days Required to Complete Consultation Requests
1 to 15 Days 16 to 30 Days 31 to 60 Days 61 to 120 Days 121 to 180 Days 181 to 365 Days More Than 365 Days Total
All disclosed 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Disclose in part 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
All exempted 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
All excluded 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Consult other institution 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Other 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Part 7: Completion Time of Consultations on Cabinet Confidences

7.1 Requests with Legal Services

Number of Days Fewer Than 100 Pages Processed 101-500 Pages Processed 501-1000 Pages Processed 1001-5000 Pages Processed More Than 5000 Pages Processed
Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed
1 to 15 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
16 to 30 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
31 to 60 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
61 to 120 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
121 to 180 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
181 to 365 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
More than 365 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

7.2 Requests with Privy Council Office

Number of Days Fewer Than 100 Pages Processed 101-500 Pages Processed 501-1000 Pages Processed 1001-5000 Pages Processed More Than 5000 Pages Processed
Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed
1 to 15 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
16 to 30 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
31 to 60 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
61 to 120 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
121 to 180 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
181 to 365 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
More than 365 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Part 8: Complaints and Investigations Notices Received

Section 31 Section 33 Section 35 Court action Total
0 0 0 0 0

Part 9: Privacy Impact Assessments (PIAs)

Number of PIA(s) completed 0

Part 10: Resources Related to the Privacy Act

10.1 Costs

Expenditures Amount
Salaries $53,015
Overtime $0
Goods and Services $5,633
  • Professional services contracts
$0  
  • Other
$5,633
Total $58,648

10.2 Human Resources

Resources Person Years Dedicated to Privacy Activities
Full-time employees 0.57
Part-time and casual employees 0.12
Regional staff 0.00
Consultants and agency personnel 0.00
Students 0.00
Total 0.69

Note: Enter values to two decimal places.

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