Response from AssocDM: Implementation of Justice Fish’s Recommendation 103

6 May 2025

 

Ms. Robyn Hynes
Interim Ombud
Office of the Ombudsman
100 Metcalfe Street, 12th Floor
Ottawa ON KIP 5M1

 

Dear Ms. Hynes,

Thank you for your letter dated 1 April 2025. I appreciate you taking the time to express your concerns regarding the decision on implementation of Recommendation 103 of Justice Fish’s Independent Review Report. I can assure you that the Department is taking this and the independent nature with which this needs to be reviewed very seriously.

As noted in my original letter of 4 November 2024, the approach of an external review by a contracted third party was chosen for this purpose. This approach can be revalidated following the resumption of Ministerial business. While ADM (RS) is designated as the lead to administer the contract and liaise with your office, as previously noted, they would not be conducting the review but rather facilitating given their neutral role within the department. The function of Internal Aduit is guided by Global Internal Audit Standards, which require the function to be an independent, objective assurance and advisory activity.

As with all contracts, the establishment of a Statement of Work (SOW) is fundamental, and ADM (RS) has sought to collaborate with your office to develop it during the last months. It is important that the work on the SoW begin immediately, so that the review can proceed. The SoW will include, for example, a requirement that the reviewed be provided to the Minister directly when completed. I look forward to the joint efforts between your office and ADM (RS) to develop a Statement of Work and to that end, I would ask you to please provide Ms. Gibby Armstrong with a point of contact at your earliest convenience. Should there continue to be concerns once the SoW is completed, I would invite you to raise that with the Minister of National Defence.

I remain committed to making progress on this recommendation through a collaborative process with your office. I truly believe that is important in keeping the lines of communication between your office and the Department open to facilitate the proper and effective execution of the review and reporting function in place.

Sincerely,

 

Natasha Kim

Associate Deputy Minister