Ottawa, May 18, 2006 -- The President of the Public Service Commission (PSC) of Canada, Maria Barrados, today tabled “Follow-Up Audit of the Office of the Privacy Commissioner”.
The objective of the audit was to assess the extent to which the Office of the Privacy Commissioner (OPC) had addressed the outstanding recommendations contained in the PSC’s previous audits. As well, the PSC assessed OPC’s readiness to assume new responsibility under the new Public Service Employment Act (PSEA).
“I am pleased to report that the PSC has removed the restrictions on their staffing authority which were imposed in 2003. The OPC, under its current leadership, has made significant improvements in its staffing systems and practices,” stated Maria Barrados. “Specifically, the OPC has a staffing strategy in place supported by plans and policies, has established communication strategies for management and employees, has initiated a self-monitoring process, and is ready to conduct staffing under the new Act.
“In view of the leadership and commitment to merit and the staffing values demonstrated by the OPC, we have established a standard delegation agreement with the deputy head of the OPC. We strongly support management's efforts to continue to further improve their staffing systems and practices on an ongoing basis, and to continue to honour their staffing commitments,” said Maria Barrados.
The PSC is an independent agency reporting to Parliament, mandated to safeguard the integrity of the public service staffing system and the political neutrality of the public service. In addition, the PSC recruits qualified Canadians from across the country.
The new PSEA, which came into force on December 31, 2005, allows for staffing to be delegated to deputy heads, subject to oversight by the PSC. The Services Branch of the PSC continues to provide recruitment and assessment services and guidance through its client service units located across Canada.
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For more information:
Tom Kelly
Media Relations, Public Service Commission
(613) 947-7269
media@psc-cfp.gc.ca
Related Links:
Audit of the Office of the Privacy Commissioner - September 2003
One Year Later: Report of the Public Service Commission of Canada on the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (2004)
Public Service Commission Response to the Recommendations Contained in the First Report of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (38th Parliament, 1st Session) - September 30, 2005)
PSC Annual Reports
PSC Annual Report 2004-2005 - Appendix 1: Performance Expectations - Staffing Values and Principles
Current and Planned Audits and Studies
Public Service Employment Act
Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada Web site
