ARCHIVED - RPP 2006-2007
Transportation Safety Board of Canada

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Chair's Message

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) enjoys a solid reputation, nationally and internationally, as a technically skilled and professional investigative organization. As one of only a few multi-modal safety investigation agencies in the world, the TSB pursues its mandate within a framework of independence that makes it a global leader in that regard.

The TSB is a knowledge-based organization. We collect and analyze information, transform it into knowledge and communicate what we know in order to influence positive changes to transportation safety. The TSB must therefore have efficient and effective information management practices. In April 2003, we initiated a major project to modernize our information management practices and the enabling technology used by investigators. Significant progress was made over the past three years, and we are about to implement our new integrated tool set for investigators. However, work remains to be done in order to fully implement the new tools and to complete the development of the remaining modules. This project will therefore continue to be a major area of focus for the coming year.

The public expects safety deficiencies in the transportation system to be identified and corrected. The TSB has done an excellent job of identifying safety deficiencies and has issued numerous safety recommendations over the years. However, not all recommendations are acted upon satisfactorily. Recently, we have reinstituted the practice of annually re-evaluating actions taken to address our recommendations and have begun to publish the Board's assessment of those actions on our website. We hope that this public disclosure will act as an incentive to influence greater change and lead to improved safety actions. This year, the TSB will continue its efforts to follow up on its safety recommendations and to communicate key safety messages to stakeholders and industry.

Over the coming year, the TSB will also maintain its efforts toward the continuous improvement of its internal processes, the management of its human resources and the development of partnerships. Finally, work will also be undertaken on the development of business continuity plans.

The TSB is strongly committed to making a significant contribution to transportation safety in Canada and abroad. Our sustained efforts will ensure that our products and services, as well as our business activities, remain effective and efficient for the delivery of our mandate.

Section 1 - Overview

1.1 Management Representation Statement

I submit for tabling in Parliament, the 2006-2007 Report on Plans and Priorities (RPP) for the Transportation Safety Board of Canada.

This document has been prepared based on the reporting principles contained in the Guide for the Preparation of Part III of the 2006-2007 Estimates: Reports on Plans and Priorities and Departmental Performance Reports:

• It adheres to the specific reporting requirements outlined in the Treasury Board Secretariat guidance;
• It is based on the department's approved Program Activity Architecture as reflected in its Management, Resources and Results Structure;
• It presents consistent, comprehensive, balanced and reliable information;
• It provides a basis of accountability for the results achieved with the resources and authorities entrusted to the department; and
• It reports finances based on approved planned spending numbers from the Treasury Board Secretariat.

___________________________
Wendy A. Tadros
Acting Chair

1.2 Raison d'être

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is an independent agency created in 1990 by an Act of Parliament (Canadian Transportation Accident Investigation and Safety Board Act). It operates at arm's length from other government departments and agencies such as Transport Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the National Energy Board to ensure that there are no real or perceived conflicts of interest. Under the legislation, the TSB's only objective is the advancement of transportation safety in the federally regulated elements of the marine, pipeline, rail and air transportation systems. This mandate is fulfilled by conducting independent investigations including, if necessary, public inquiries into transportation occurrences. The purpose of these investigations and inquiries is to make findings as to the causes and contributing factors of the occurrences and to identify safety deficiencies. As a result, recommendations may be made to improve safety and reduce or eliminate risks to people, to property and to the environment. The TSB has the exclusive authority to make findings as to causes and contributing factors when it investigates a transportation occurrence.

The jurisdiction of the TSB includes all transportation occurrences in or over Canada. The TSB may also represent Canadian interests in foreign investigations of transportation accidents involving Canadian registered, licensed or manufactured ships, railway rolling stock or aircraft. In addition, the TSB carries out some of Canada's obligations related to transportation safety at the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

A transportation occurrence is any accident or incident associated with the operation of an aircraft, ship, railway rolling stock or pipeline. It also includes any hazard that could, in the Board's judgement, induce an accident or incident if left unattended.

1.3 Resources

The two tables below show information on planned utilization of financial and human resources over the coming three-year period.

Financial Resources ($ thousands)

2006-2007	2007-2008	2008-2009
32,314	31,711	31,539

Human Resources

2006-2007	2007-2008	2008-2009
240 FTE	240 FTE	240 FTE

FTE = full-time equivalent

1.4 Priorities for 2006-2007

The following table summarizes the five departmental priorities for 2006-2007 and the planned direct spending for each one.

Departmental Priorities	Type	Planned Spending 2006-2007* ($ thousands)
Priority 1: Continuous Improvement of Internal Processes and Practices	Ongoing	550
Priority 2: Continuous Improvement of Human Resources Management	Ongoing	0
Priority 3: Sustainable Communication Services and Products	Ongoing	30
Priority 4: Business Continuity Planning	New	145
Priority 5: Ongoing Development of Partnerships	Ongoing	0

*	Figures shown do not include the salaries for regular staff time dedicated to these priorities and related overhead costs.

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