Ottawa, 28 September 2010—The 2010 Fall Report of the Auditor General of Canada, Sheila Fraser, will be tabled in the House of Commons on Tuesday, 26 October 2010.
The 2010 Fall Report of the Auditor General contains the following chapters:
Chapter 1—Canada’s Economic Action Plan. The audit looked at how programs were designed under the Economic Action Plan and what steps it took to ensure that only eligible projects were funded. Eleven programs were selected for examination. The audit also looked at the role played by internal audit and by central agencies as well as compliance with financial management and environmental requirements. The audit did not look at the full implementation of funded projects or at the results of the Plan; a second audit of how funds were spent will be reported in 2011.
Chapter 2—Management and Control in Small Entities. Theaudit looked at the controls that three small federal organizations use for acquisition cards, contracting, executive travel, hospitality, and at selected areas of human resource management. It also examined whether their management and control practices comply with government policies. The three organizations are the Canadian Forces Housing Agency, the Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency, and the Pension Appeals Board.
Chapter 3—Service Delivery. The audit looked at the practices used by three organizations—Citizenship and Immigration Canada, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, and the Canada Revenue Agency—to set their service standards, monitor and report on their service performance, and act on this information to improve service quality.
Chapter 4—Managing Conflict of Interest. The audit looked at what the Treasury Board Secretariat and five selected departments have done to ensure that public servants can recognize a conflict of interest however it arises, and that they know how to deal with it. The audit included three departments—Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Natural Resources Canada, and Public Works and Government Services Canada—where previous audits had found cases of conflict of interest. In addition, it included Canadian Heritage and Human Resources and Skills Development Canada.
Chapter 5—Regulating and Supervising Large Banks. The audit examined how the Department of Finance Canada and the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions Canada have regulated and supervised the six largest banks in Canada, which are considered the most important to the Canadian financial system. It also looked at how the two organizations and the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation share information for decision-making.
Chapter 6—Acquisition of Military Helicopters. The audit examined how National Defence managed two projects to acquire military helicopters—the CH-148 Cyclone and the CH-147 Chinook—and the associated in-service support. The audit focused on whether the work to be carried out was described clearly and consistently in key information and decision documents, risks were appropriately assessed, life-cycle costs and plans were complete and timely, and senior departmental boards provided appropriate oversight and approvals. Also examined was the contract award process used for the projects by National Defence and Public Works and Government Services Canada.
Chapter 7—Registered Charities—Canada Revenue Agency. The audit looked at how the Agency encourages compliance with the provisions of the Income Tax Act that relate to registered charities. It also looked at how the Agency deals with tax shelter gifting arrangements through which a taxpayer makes an investment and receives a charitable donation receipt for value greater than the donated cash or property.
Chapter 8—Facilitating the Flow of Imported Commercial Goods—Canada Border Services Agency. The audit examined the Agency’s systems and practices for collecting and processing information used to assess risk before imported commercial goods arrive at the border; providing examination facilities and ensuring that they are adequate; developing service standards and monitoring performance against them; and assessing and collecting duties and taxes. Not examined were the Agency’s responsibilities and activities related to unlawful and non-commercial goods being imported or exported; goods being imported by post; goods in transit or on vessels temporarily admitted for coastal trade; or the entry, detention, or removal of travelers.
Chapter 9—Animal Diseases—Canadian Food Inspection Agency. The audit examined the Agency’s state of preparedness for animal disease emergencies—situations that call for prompt action outside of normal activities. It also looked at how the Agency managed recent animal disease emergencies.
This 2010 Fall Report, along with news releases for each chapter, will be available on the Office of the Auditor General of Canada Web site immediately following tabling.
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