Info Source: Sources of Federal Government and Employee Information

Office of the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner of Canada

General Information

Info Source

Info Source: Sources of Federal Government and Employee Information provides information about the functions, programs, activities and related information holdings of government institutions subject to the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act. It also provides individuals and employees of the government (current and former) and other individuals with relevant information to access personal information about themselves held by government institutions subject to the Privacy Act and to exercise their rights under the Privacy Act.

The introduction to the Info Source: Sources of Federal Government and Employee Information publication and an index of institutions subject to the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act are available on the Government of Canada website.

The Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act assign overall responsibility to the President of Treasury Board (as the designated Minister) for the government-wide administration of the legislation.

Background

The Office of the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner of Canada (the Office) was set up to administer the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act (the Act), which came into force in April 2007. The Office is mandated to establish a safe, independent and confidential process for public servants and members of the public to disclose potential wrongdoing in the federal public sector. The Office also helps to protect public servants who have filed disclosures or participated in related investigations from reprisal.

The disclosure regime is an element of the framework which strengthens accountability and management oversight in government operations.

The Public Sector Integrity Commissioner is an independent Agent of Parliament and reports directly to Parliament.

Responsibilities

The Office has jurisdiction over the entire federal public sector, including separate agencies and parent Crown corporations, which represents approximately 375,000 public servants. Under the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act, members of the general public can also come to the Office with information about a possible wrongdoing in the federal public sector. However, the Office does not have jurisdiction over the Canadian Forces, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, and the Communications Security Establishment, each of which is required under the Act to establish internal procedures for disclosure of wrongdoing and protection against reprisal similar to those set out in the Act.

The Office conducts independent reviews and investigations of disclosures of wrongdoing and complaints of reprisal in a fair and timely manner. In cases of founded wrongdoing, the Commissioner issues findings, through the tabling of a case report to Parliament, and makes recommendations to chief executives for corrective action. The Commissioner exercises exclusive jurisdiction over the review, investigation and conciliation of reprisal complaints. This includes making applications to the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Tribunal, which has the power to determine if reprisals have taken place and to order appropriate remedial and disciplinary action.

The Office is guided at all times by the public interest and the principles of natural justice and procedural fairness. The Commissioner submits an annual report to Parliament and special reports may also be submitted to Parliament at any time.

More information about the Office’s mandate, roles, responsibilities, activities, statutory reports and the Act can be found on the Office’s website.

As well, you may refer to the Office’s corporate publications (namely, the Departmental Plans and Departmental Results Reports) for more information on its specific plans and priorities.

Institutional Functions, Programs and Activities

Disclosure and Reprisal Management Program

To provide advice to federal public sector employees and members of the public who are considering making a disclosure and to accept, investigate and report on disclosures of information concerning possible wrongdoing. Based on this activity, the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner will exercise exclusive jurisdiction over the review, conciliation and settlement of complaints of reprisal, including making applications to the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Tribunal to determine if reprisals have taken place and to order appropriate remedial and disciplinary action.

Investigation Records Concerning Allegations of Wrongdoing

Description: Case files containing information concerning allegations made under the Treasury Board Policy on Internal Disclosure of Information Concerning Wrongdoing in the Workplace and, since April 15, 2007, allegations of wrongdoings made pursuant to the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act. It contains records related to any aspect of the work done by The Office of the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner of Canada whether during an investigation or at the preliminary review stage. It may include, among others things, any document on which the Commissioner based findings, made recommendations or proposed corrective measures where applicable.

Document Types: Research documents, evidence, letters, notes of telephone conversations or meetings, investigation reports, and replies from institutions concerning the recommended correctives measures where applicable.

Record Number: PSIC 002

Case Review and Investigation Files

Description: Records in this bank consist of information received from employees and former employees of the Public Sector, including their representatives, alleging that wrongdoing has been or is being committed in the workplace. The files may also contain personal information on third parties of the public who are part of the investigations. The files consist of general information collected in the process of investigations and necessary to administer the files.

Class of Individuals: This bank applies to employees of the Public Service listed in Schedule I of the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act, witnesses and other parties to the disclosure.

Purpose: The purpose of this bank is to collect information to assess the nature of the alleged wrongdoing, initiate investigations, review evidence and produce findings and recommendations.

Consistent Uses: Information is used for research and statistical purposes to identify and substantiate behavioural and systemic problems, to detect trends, and contribute to recommendations leading to improvements in the welfare and governance of the federal government of Canada. For the purpose of conducting an investigation or resolving the matter, which was "disclosed" to the Office of the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner of Canada, the personal information may be disclosed, in accordance with the Privacy Act. In some cases, during an investigation or through the disclosure itself, the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner may determine that other avenues may be more appropriate to address the matter and, consequently, may report it to other authorities having the powers to investigate under federal, provincial and municipal statutes.

Retention and Disposal Standards: These records are destroyed 6 fiscal years after the last administrative action. Some of these records may be retained as national archives.

RDA Number: 2015/018

Related Record Number: PSIC 002

TBS Registration: 005366

Bank Number: PSIC PPU 005

Legal Matters

Description: This holding contains legal opinions on pertinent policies, regulations and legislations that may have an impact on the work of the Office of the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner of Canada or concerning investigations. It also contains information on legal proceedings in which the Office may be involved, notably with the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Tribunal.

Document Types: Pleadings, briefs, appeal files, transcripts and statements of evidence, legal opinions, correspondence and litigation files.

Record Number: PSIC 005

Operations

Description: Operational information of the Office of the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner of Canada includes records on the development of the Office's mandate and the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act, policy, directives, contracts, reports and other documents that are not included in Standard Program Records.

Document Types: Activities records, directives, policies.

Record Number: PSIC 001

Records Concerning Complaints of Reprisal

Description: Case files containing information concerning complaints of reprisal made under the Treasury Board Policy on Internal Disclosure of Information Concerning Wrongdoing in the Workplace and, since April 15, 2007, complaints of reprisal made pursuant to the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act. It contains records regarding any aspect of the work carried out by the Office of the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner of Canada whether during an investigation or at the preliminary review stage, among others things, any document on which the Commissioner based a decision to launch an investigation, refer the complaint to conciliation where applicable or make (or not) an application to the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Tribunal for determination.

Document Types: Research documents, evidence, notes of telephone conversations or meetings, investigation reports and letters of decisions.

Record Number: PSIC 004

Records Concerning Complaints of Reprisal

Description: Recordsd in this bank consist of information received from employees and former employees of the Public Sector, including their representatives, alleging that reprisal has been or is being committed in the workplace, as defined under the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act. The personal information may include names of complainants and witnesses, individuals against who allegations have been made, contact information, biographical information, citizenship status, educational information, employee identification number, employment equity information, employee personnel information, medical information and physical attributes.

Class of Individuals: Full and part-time employees of federal institutions listed in Schedule I of the Public Servants Labour Relations Act as well as casual, students, agency and term employees.

Purpose: The personal information is used to determine whether an individual may have experienced reprisal, as defined in the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act. This determination is made by way of general assessment or through formal investigation. Personal information is collected pursuant to the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act.

Consistent Uses: The information may be used or disclosed for the following purposes: investigation, adjudication, reporting to senior management and evaluation purposes. Information may be shared with the Chief Executive of the federal government institution named in the complaint upon commencing an investigation, pursuant to s. 19.8(1) of the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act. Information may be shared with parties to a proceeding before the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Tribunal. Information may also be shared with any other person the investigator considers appropriate pursuant to s. 19.8(2) of the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act.

Retention and Disposal Standards: These records are destroyed 6 fiscal years after the last administrative action. Some of these records may be retained as national archives.

RDA Number: 2015/018

Related Record Number: PSIC 004

TBS Registration: 20091263

Bank Number: PSIC PPU 006

Records Concerning Outreach and Engagement Initiatives

Description: Includes records related to the development and implementation of measures to influence and educate for a well-informed, non-partisan public service and workplace culture open to disclosure of wrongdoing and prevention of reprisal. Records may include information related to liaison, research, and learning activities which may be undertaken in partnership with Parliamentarians, senior federal government executives, unions, managers and employees.

Document Types: Outreach and engagement strategy with measures and outputs; policy and program activities; information exchange and outreach activities with other levels of Canadian government; information exchange and outreach activities with foreign countries; research framework for conducting original research related to disclosure of wrongdoing and prevention of reprisal; research project plans with related activities and reports; summaries and/or selected points of/from existing research articles and books; workshop plans, presentations and activities; outreach initiatives related to speaking engagements and discussions with the Commissioner within the public service and externally to universities and the private sector; initiatives to establish partnerships and relationships with leading experts and academics in ethics and disclosure; initiatives to establish partnerships and relationships with public service stakeholder communities such as APEX, National Managers Community, Labour Management Consultation Committee and Regional Executive Councils.

Record Number: PSIC 007

Internal Services

Internal Services are groups of related activities and resources that are administered to support the needs of programs and other corporate obligations of an organization. These groups are: Acquisitions; Communications Services; Financial Management Services; Human Resources; Information Management Services; Information Technology Services; Legal Services; Management and Oversight Services; Materiel Services; Real Property Services; and Travel and Other Administrative Services. Internal Services include only those activities and resources that apply across an organization and not to those provided specifically to a program.

Acquisition Services

Acquisition Services involve activities undertaken to acquire a good or service to fulfill a properly completed request (including a complete and accurate definition of requirements and certification that funds are available) until entering into or amending a contract.

Communications Services

Communications Services involve activities undertaken to ensure that Government of Canada communications are effectively managed, well-coordinated and responsive to the diverse information needs of the public. The communications management function ensures that the public – internal or external – receives government information, and that the views and concerns of the public are taken into account in the planning, management and evaluation of policies, programs, services and initiatives.

Financial Management Services

Financial Management Services involve activities undertaken to ensure the prudent use of public resources, including planning, budgeting, accounting, reporting, control and oversight, analysis, decision support and advice, and financial systems.

Human Resources Management Services

Human Resources Management Services involve activities undertaken for determining strategic direction, allocating resources among services and processes, as well as activities relating to analyzing exposure to risk and determining appropriate countermeasures. They ensure that the service operations and programs of the federal government comply with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and/or plans.

Information Management Services

Information Management Services involve activities undertaken to achieve efficient and effective information management to support program and service delivery; foster informed decision-making; facilitate accountability, transparency, and collaboration; and preserve and ensure access to information and records for the benefit of present and future generations.

Information Technology Services

Information Technology Services involve activities undertaken to achieve efficient and effective use of information technology to support government priorities and program delivery, to increase productivity, and to enhance services to the public.

Legal Services

Legal Services involve activities undertaken to enable government departments and agencies to pursue policy, program and service delivery priorities and objectives within a legally sound framework.

Management and Oversight Services

Management and Oversight Services involve activities undertaken for determining strategic direction, and allocating resources among services and processes, as well as those activities related to analyzing exposure to risk and determining appropriate countermeasures. They ensure that the service operations and programs of the federal government comply with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and/or plans.

Materiel Services

Materiel Services involve activities undertaken to ensure that materiel can be managed by departments in a sustainable and financially responsible manner that supports the cost-effective and efficient delivery of government programs.

Real Property Services

Real Property Services involve activities undertaken to ensure real property is managed in a sustainable and financially responsible manner, throughout its life cycle, to support the cost-effective and efficient delivery of government programs.

Travel and Other Administrative Services

Travel and Other Administrative Services include Government of Canada travel services, as well as those other internal services that do not smoothly fit with any of the internal services categories.

Classes of Personal Information

Classes of personal Information describe personal information not used for administrative purposes or is not intended to be retrievable by personal identifiers, for example, unsolicited opinions, correspondence, etc. This category is included to ensure that institutions account for all personal information they hold.

The Office of the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner of Canada receives anonymous complaints or correspondence on the issue of disclosure of wrongdoing and job reprisal which may not trigger an investigation or correspondence but can be used for statistical or trend analysis purposes. This information can be retrieved by the name of institution to which the information relates or by a combination of both the name of the institution concerned and date of receipt of the correspondence by the Office or by subject matter.

Manuals

Additional Information

Contact Information

Please see the introduction to the Info Source: Sources of Federal Government and Employee Information publication for information on access procedures under the provisions of the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act.

Making Your Request

To submit a request online, please use ATIP Online or complete either the Access to Information Request Form (TBC/CTC 350-57) or the Personal Information Request Form (TBC/CTC 350-58), or include a letter indicating that your request is made in accordance with the Access to Information Act or the Privacy Act and describe the information you are seeking. Please include relevant details to help the ATIP Office find the information you are requesting. Mail your request to:

Office of the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner of Canada
60 Queen Street, 4th Floor
Ottawa, Ontario  K1P 5Y7

For additional information about the programs and activities of the Office of the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner of Canada, please contact:

Communications Branch
613-941-6400 or 1-866-941-6400 (toll-free)
communications@psic-ispc.gc.ca

Completed Access to Information Requests

The Government of Canada encourages the release of information through informal requests. Records released in response to completed Access to Information Act requests processed by the Office can be obtained informally. A list of the summaries of completed requests is available on the Open Government portal.

Reading Room

In accordance with the Access to Information Act and Privacy Act, the applicant may wish to review material in person on the premises of the Office. The address is:

Office of the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner of Canada
60 Queen Street, 4th Floor
Ottawa, Ontario  K1P 5Y7

Individuals interested in visiting the reading room must phone ahead to make an appointment.