This guide was published on .
This guide replaces the provisions on claims in the Guideline on Claims and Ex Gratia Payments dated .
This guide applies to the organizations listed in section 6 of the Policy on Financial Management.
The purpose of this guide is to help departments manage claims against the Crown and claims by the Crown.
The guide supports the Directive on Payments and the Directive on Public Money and Receivables. It does not contain any new mandatory requirements for settling claims against or by the Crown. Examples are provided for illustrative purposes only and may not apply to all departments or situations.
The guide explains how to assess and manage various claims in accordance with the authorities set out in the above directives and with other payment authorities and government instruments.
Section 3 defines claims and sets out the principles of managing claims. It also highlights the importance of consulting departmental legal services when a claim is made against or by the Crown.
Section 4 explains the different types of claims, and identifies when the Directive on Payments applies.
Sections 5 and 6 outline the processes for managing claims against and by the Crown.
Section 7 discusses the accounting treatment of claims.
When an incident that results in losses, expenditures or damages occurs between two parties, one party may request compensation from the other by means of a claim.
The Directive on Payments defines a claim as a request for compensation to cover losses, expenditures or damages sustained by the Crown or by another party (the claimant).
Managers who have been delegated authority to issue payments for claims against the Crown or who are considering making a claim by the Crown should:
When an incident occurs, the delegated departmental manager is responsible for managing the risk associated with dealing with any claim that may arise between a department and other entities (for example, the claimant).
Because of the legal nature of claims, managers who are involved in a claim should always seek advice from their departmental legal services; however, in some situations, managers must consult them. For example, when a claim involves legal proceedings or when a payment of an amount greater than $25,000 is being considered, senior departmental managers must refer the claim to departmental legal services to determine whether any potential legal liability exists (as per subsection A.2.2.2.2 of the Directive on Payments).
Claims involving Crown servants (either a claim against the Crown by Crown servants or a claim by the Crown against Crown servants) are generally negotiated by, or in conjunction with, the Department of Justice, without recourse to the courts, and according to the relevant authorities and procedures. “Crown servant” is defined in the Directive on Payments.
This section describes the different types of claims and identifies when the requirements of the Directive on Payments apply. Claims must be treated in accordance with the applicable authorities, governing instruments or policies, as such:
Although some of the claims described in this section are covered under other authorities, governing instruments or policies and are therefore not covered under the Directive on Payments, managers can still refer to this guide when managing claims because a number of the steps involved are applicable (for example, conducting an investigation, seeking a legal opinion).
Claims in contract are to be dealt with according to the terms of the applicable contract and pursuant to the applicable law. Departments must ensure that the interests of the Crown are protected and that all legal rights are exercised. This type of claim is not governed by Directive on Payments.
For example, a department cancels a contract with a supplier. The supplier files a claim for contract‑related damages. The claim is contractual in nature and should be dealt with in accordance with the contract and the applicable law.
Claims in tort, known as extra‑contractual liability claims in Quebec, are claims that do not arise in the context of a written, oral or implied contractual agreement. Claims in tort between the Crown and a claimant are subject to the requirements of the Directive on Payments.
For example, a federal government organization cut down a tree on federal property. When it fell, the tree damaged a neighbour’s personal property. The neighbour filed a claim for damages. That claim would be considered a claim in tort because the actions of the Crown resulted in losses of the neighbour’s personal property.
As a general rule, one federal government department cannot claim damages and receive payment from another federal government department. Such claims are dealt with in a manner that precludes departments from seeking damages from each other (for example, on the basis of mutual forbearance).
Departments and Crown corporations use negotiated settlements to settle claims. However, when a claim is pursued, each party should voluntarily supply the other with all information in its possession. If the parties themselves cannot agree on the claim’s merits and liabilities, then the legal officers of both organizations should try to reach an agreement. If the legal officers cannot agree, then the matter is referred to the Deputy Attorney General of Canada for arbitration.
Claims under the Canadian Human Rights Act (CHRA) are subject to the investigation and conciliation requirements under the CHRA. The negotiation and payment of settlements and tribunal orders under the CHRA are subject to the requirements of the Directive on Payments.
The requirements of the Directive on Payments do not apply to complaints relating to equal pay for work of equal value lodged under section 11 of the CHRA. Those complaints are dealt with through Treasury Board policy instruments relating to people management and through other authorities.
Table 1 lists examples of claims that are covered under other governing instruments and not under the Directive on Payments. The instruments in the right‑hand column contain specific requirements for claims that arise in the situations listed in the left‑hand column. For example, claims by the Crown to recover losses of public money are covered under the Treasury Board Directive on Public Money and Receivables. These claims should therefore be treated in accordance with these policy instruments and not under the Directive on Payments.
Situation | Governing instrument |
---|---|
Claims for recovery of losses of public money | Directive on Public Money and Receivables |
Claims related to contract performance disputes | Contracting Policy |
Claims related to relocation of household property and travel claims | National Joint Council’s (NJC) Relocation Directive and Travel Directive |
Claims by the Crown resulting from automobile accidents and claims by or against the Crown with motor vehicle owners and their insurers in respect of collisions | Provincial legislation related to motor vehicle property damage Note: Departmental legal services or materiel management and fleet vehicle specialists should be consulted because provisions differ from province to province (see Appendix B for details). |
Figure 1 shows the process to be followed when a claim is made against the Crown. Subsections 5.1.1 to 5.1.6 describe the key steps of this process in detail.
Under subsection A.2.2.2.1 of the Directive on Payments, when a claim is made against the Crown after an incident has occurred, senior departmental managers with delegated authority to make payments for claims against the Crown are responsible for, without prejudice and without admitting liability, obtaining original copies of documents and for obtaining details from the claimant, such as:
An investigation should be conducted at the earliest reasonable opportunity. The delegated departmental manager should consider whether to request assistance from the departmental security officer, depending on the type of incident and the amount of the claim. The investigation should be formally documented.
The extent of the investigation depends on the type of incident, the amount of the claim and the potential cost of the investigation.
The investigation should include the following, as applicable:
The department’s security officials are generally responsible for:
Managers should determine whether a legal opinion is required. The decision will be based on the magnitude and the complexity of the situation. See subsection 3.2.1 of this guide for more information.
If the manager determines that a legal opinion is required, the manager refers the claim to departmental legal services and sends them the formal documentation from the investigation (see subsection 5.1.2 of this guide) and any information received from the claimant (see subsection 5.1.1 of this guide).
The legal opinion should address the following:
If the legal opinion identifies a potential legal liability for the Crown, the delegated departmental manager should take the following steps to settle the claim, in accordance with subsection A.2.2.3.1 of the Directive on Payments:
If the legal opinion indicates that the Crown has no legal liability, the delegated departmental manager may decide, in consultation with departmental legal services, to settle the claim or deny the claim. The opinion could be used as a justification for the denial of the claim, and the delegated departmental manager would inform the claimant of the denial.
In accordance with subsection A.2.2.2.4 of the Directive on Payments, when the Crown is to issue a payment to settle claim, the senior departmental manager must obtain a signed release from the claimant. An example of a release form is provided in Appendix A of this guide. The departmental legal services can also provide guidance on what to include in a release form.
In accordance with subsection A.2.2.3.1 of the Directive on Payments, when deciding whether to make a payment for a claim against the Crown, delegated departmental managers must:
This section describes the process to follow for claims made against the Crown by Crown servants. This guide does not apply to Crown servants’ claims against the Crown that are covered by other authorities, governing instruments or policies. For example:
Under subsection A.2.2.2.3 of the Directive on Payments, senior departmental managers are responsible for conducting an investigation of reported incidents for claims of a Crown servant that include personal property that is damaged, lost, stolen or destroyed while in the performance of the Crown servant’s duties. This investigation is to be conducted with the assistance of the departmental security officials as required. See section 5.1.2 of this guide for more information on conducting an investigation.
When a Crown servant makes a claim against the Crown following an incident in which the Crown servant’s effects were damaged, lost, stolen or destroyed, the delegated departmental manager must investigate and consult with their departmental legal services to determine if there is any potential liability. The following criteria apply:
Ex gratia payments cannot be issued to employees of the Government of Canada. See the Guide to Ex Gratia Payments and Honorariums for more information.
For example, a Crown servant placed several file folders on a colleague’s desk and accidentally damaged the colleague’s eyeglasses. The colleague asked the manager for compensation to replace the damaged eyeglasses. The manager investigated and determined that this was an inadvertent incident that occurred during the performance of the Crown servant’s duties and that there was no other possible means of compensation. In this instance, the manager with the delegated authority may approve a payment to settle this claim.
Managers must make every reasonable effort to obtain value for money when resolving claims by the Crown. They should consider the administrative costs, level of effort, and cost‑effectiveness in pursuing the claim.
Figure 2 shows the process to be followed when a claim is filed by the Crown. Subsections 6.1.1 to 6.1.4 describe the key steps of this process in detail.
When an incident occurs, delegated departmental managers must investigate and document the incident. See section 5.1.2 of this guide for more information on conducting an investigation.
In compliance with subsection A.2.2.2.2.1 of the Directive on Payments, senior departmental managers must refer all claims by the Crown involving legal proceedings to their departmental legal services.
In addition, senior departmental managers must obtain a legal opinion when:
As a condition of receiving a payment to resolve a claim by the Crown, both the manager with delegated authority to resolve claims and the party against whom the claim was made may be asked to sign a release form. The manager should ask departmental legal services to review the release before signing it.
When pursuing a recovery action resulting from a claim by the Crown, the collection process must be consistent with the requirements of the Directive on Public Money and Receivables, including that timely and cost-effective collection actions are taken to pursue the recovery.
Generally, claims by the Crown against Crown servants in relation to incidents involving work-related activities are negotiated without recourse to the courts, in accordance with the relevant authorities and procedures.
When a Crown servant is not covered under the Policy on Legal Assistance and Indemnification, the manager can seek recovery of funds from any money due to the Crown servant from the Crown after:
All payments of claims against the Crown are to be reported in the Public Accounts in the fiscal year in which the payment is made. See Chapter 15 of the Receiver General Manual for more information.
All payments anticipated to be received as a result of a claim by the Crown should be treated as accounts receivable. The accounts receivable section of the Financial Information Strategy Accounting Manual provides guidance on how to account for receivables.
Members of the public may contact Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat Public Enquiries if they have questions about this guide.
Individuals from departments should contact their departmental financial policy group if they have questions about this guide.
Individuals from a departmental financial policy group may contact Financial Management Enquiries for interpretation of this guide.
Know all persons by these present that (name and address of claimant) does hereby remise, release and forever discharge Her Majesty the Queen in right of Canada and (name of any officer or servant of the Crown involved), from all manners of action, claims or demands, of whatever kind or nature that (name of claimant) ever had, now has or can, shall or may hereafter have by reason of damage to or personal injury, or both, (here set out subject matter of the damage) as a result of or in any way arising out of (here set out incident and the date, time and place of occurrence).
It is understood and agreed that this Release shall only be effective when payment will have been made on behalf of Her Majesty to (name of claimant) of the sum of $________.
It is also understood that Her Majesty the Queen in right of Canada does not admit any liability to (name of claimant) by acceptance of this Release or by payment of the said sum of $________.
Signed, Sealed and Delivered in the Presence of
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this ________ day of _______, 20____.
Print Name _________________________
Signature _________________________
Phone number (_ _ _) _ _ _ - _ _ _ _
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this ________ day of _______, 20____.
Print Name _________________________
Signature _________________________
Phone number (_ _ _) _ _ _ - _ _ _ _
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this ________ day of _______, 20____.
Print Name _________________________
Signature _________________________
Phone number (_ _ _) _ _ _ - _ _ _ _
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this ________ day of _______, 20____.
Print Name _________________________
Signature _________________________
Phone number (_ _ _) _ _ _ - _ _ _ _
This appendix discusses claims by or against the Crown resulting from motor vehicle accidents.
It provides background information and is not intended as legal advice. Departmental legal services should be consulted when a motor vehicle accident occurs.
Context:
The process to recover money from provincial unsatisfied judgment funds is complex and expensive. As a result, departments should first try to use another means to obtain satisfaction of a claim by the Crown resulting from a motor vehicle accident.
In cases where they must attempt to recover from provincial unsatisfied judgment funds, departments should:
The President of the Treasury Board, in consultation with the Minister of Justice, has the authority to commit federal organizations (listed in section 6 of the Policy on Financial Management) to:
Accordingly, the federal Crown has:
This section applies to property damage to motor vehicles resulting from an accident that occurred in Ontario. The claims arising from such damage and the resolution of those claims are to be processed according to the provisions of the Ontario Motorist Protection Plan.
Effective , and in accordance with the undertaking filed by the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat with the Ontario Insurance Commission:
The following provisions apply to all collisions occurring in Quebec as of January 1, 1997, including:
Under section 173 of the Quebec Automobile Insurance Act , GAA has established a Direct Compensation Agreement (DCA) (PDF, 2,644 KB) which stipulates that each driver is compensated directly by his or her own insurer, while the liability of each party involved in a collision is established using the Driver’s Fault Chart in the DCA.
Under an informal arrangement with the GAA as representative of insurers in Quebec, the following apply:
This informal arrangement with the GAA is subject to the following conditions:
Where the owner of an exempted vehicle has chosen to have that vehicle covered by an automobile liability policy, then the provisions of the DCA apply to the settlement of a claim arising from an accident with that vehicle. This includes provisions for:
Bodily injury of a Crown servant caused by a motor vehicle accident while on duty should be handled as an injury on duty in the Treasury Board Workers’ Compensation and Injury-on-Duty Leave policy instruments.
Questions about the Crown servant’s benefits under the Public Service Disability Insurance Plan or under the Long-term Disability Insurance Plan of the Public Service Management Insurance Plan may be directed to the Pension and Benefits Sector of the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat.