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ARCHIVED - RPP 2006-2007
Courts Administration Service
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SECTION IV - Other Items of Interest
Program Activity - Corporate Services
Key Initiatives
In 2006-2007, many activities related to the amalgamation process will continue to be undertaken. For example, computer systems will be harmonized by acquiring common work tools, revising the network infrastructure and standardizing server applications. Key policies, procedures and systems in such areas as human resources and finance will be harmonized, and best practices of the two former organizations will be adopted.
Significant Financial Issues for 2006-2007
The most important financial issue that will need to be resolved in 2006-2007 surrounds program integrity funding. This relates to unfunded salary and travel
expenses of prothonotaries, new Deputy Judges’ expenses, including their fees and travel expenses, ongoing lengthy trials (e.g., aboriginal) and certain new key
positions that were required as a result of the Service’s merger.
The largest project to be conducted by the Service in 2006-2007 will be the fit-up of the newly constructed Toronto Federal Judicial Centre situated in downtown Toronto at 180 Queen Street West. Up to $4.5M may be spent to acquire furniture, telecommunications and informatics equipment to fit up the new building which will accommodate both former organizations (i.e., Registry of the Federal Court of Canada and the Registry of the Tax Court of Canada) into one new building. The building is expected to be ready for occupancy in August 2006.
Finally, the Expenditure Review Committee instituted mandatory cuts on all government departments and agencies. The Service will be expected to save $0.29M in 2006-2007 through procurement savings. The cuts attributed do not necessarily represent the actual amount of savings that can be generated by the Service. Negotiations between the Service and PWGSC to validate the amount of savings are ongoing.
Human Resources/ People Capacity
With the arrival of a new Learning Advisor in 2006-2007, we will be working on personal learning plans for employees.
A team of employees has been established to work on succession planning and on a developmental/leadership program given the aging of the workforce and the loss of senior
staff, corporate memory and internal expertise.
In line with the Public Service Modernization Act (PSMA), the Human Resources Services Branch will continue to develop new staffing policies, guidelines,
processes and tools to assist managers who will be receiving staffing sub-delegation. Managers will be required to develop human resources plans in line with their
business plans, to determine their current and future needs.
Records Management
Since the mid-1990s, the number of cases filed has steadily increased. This growth has resulted in greater demand for space to store court records as required in the
Federal Courts Act and the Tax Court of Canada Act.
The Records Management Committee is currently reviewing the requirements for managing the records of the Service, as well as court records. This Committee will be making recommendations to the Acting Chief Administrator in relation to the retention and treatment of administrative and operational records. It will also be making recommendations to the Chief Justices pertaining to the retention of court records. Its work should lead to significant reductions in the amount of records that are kept in storage by the Service.
The Committee will also be working jointly with the Real Property Services and other stakeholders to explore strategies such as digital imaging/archiving and e‑retrieval services to provide a business solution to its records storage and retrieval needs and facilitate the compliance of its statutory requirements to preserve the records of the Courts.
Government On-Line
The former organizations work contributed to the goal of the Government of Canada's Government On-Line initiative, namely to use information and communication technology
to provide Canadians with enhanced access to improved citizen-centred, integrated services, anytime, anywhere and in the official language of their choice. The
Service is continuing to work toward achievement of the objectives of Government On-Line, as evidenced by the following activities, which will continue in 2006-07:
- changes to computers at public counters, which currently permit visitors to the registry to view only Federal Court of Appeal and Federal Court docket entries, will make it possible to view hearing lists, the decisions database, indexing information and the Web sites of the Courts.
- harmonization of the information systems of the Courts is necessary to improve communications between employees by providing uniformity and efficiency. The Internet sites and intranet will also continue to enhance accessibility to the Courts and the level of service offered.
Other improvements such as digital recording and scanning will be introduced in 2006-07 and 2007-08. A new case management system integrating the Service's two
existing operational systems will incorporate the best practices of the two former organizations and provide improved online services to the public.
Improved Strategic Management
In line with the government objective of strengthening public sector management, the Service will develop sound strategic management practices to enhance the overall
performance of the organization. The results of the MAF assessment will serve as the basis for improving the Service results and performance.
The following initiatives will be implemented over the planning period:
- developing an integrated planning framework to provide managers with information key to strategic and operational planning;
- developing a Performance Management Framework
Management practices and procedures at the Service will continue to be strengthened during this consolidation period. Our restructuring exercise is focused on
accountability and responsibility for the cost-effective use of resources approved by Parliament to support the Service, while continuing to safeguard judicial
independence. The Service will review improvements in accountability reporting against service and performance standards relating to the effective use of resources.
Examples could include reporting on the timeliness of submitting cases to the Courts, resource utilization rates, service to litigants and increased productivity of the
registries. In order to facilitate this, organization-wide performance measures will be developed.
The Service is also establishing an appropriate governance regime, which will include a review of the Senior Management Committee, an effective Audit and Evaluation
Committee, a Human Resources Management Committee, and National and Local Labour-Management committees and Occupational Safety and Health committees.
Security Services
The Service continues its efforts to improve the security of judges, prothonotaries, staff and members of the public using its facilities. The development of
internal policies and procedures has been prioritized. Working groups comprised of judges and staff have worked together to develop several comprehensive policies
and procedures while trying to minimize the inconveniences imposed to our users through the implementation of certain security measures. In addition, the Service has
developed a program aimed at heightening security awareness throughout the organization.
In 2006-07, the Service will be finalizing its Business Continuity Plan to ensure the continued availability of essential services, programs and operations, in the event of interruptions caused by unforeseen events such as extended power failures, severe weather conditions, etc. Furthermore, should a major civil emergency occur, the Federal Court will be capable of continuing to provide essential services to the government through the application of the Government of Canada Business Continuity Plan developed in cooperation with the Continuity of Constitutional Government Steering Committee (CCGSC). The CCGSC is headed by representatives of the Office of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada. A representative from the Service sits on the CCGSC ensuring the Courts requirements are met.
Facilities Management
The Service will continue to review its accommodation portfolio across Canada and at Headquarters with a focus on space optimization projects. In addition, the
Service will lend its expertise and input in the development of the new Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) Judicial/Quasi-judicial Fit-up Standards.
Revised courts standards will also be developed in cooperation with PWGSC based on current trends and needs to reduce overall government real estate costs.
Appendix I: Other Information
Contacts for Further Information
Further information on the strategic planning portion of this document can be obtained by contacting:
Robert Fortin
Executive Director
Courts Administration Service
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0H9
Further information on the financial portion of this document can be obtained by contacting:
Paul Waksberg
Director, Planning, Budgeting and Analysis
Courts Administration Service
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0H9
Offices of the Courts Administration Service
NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION OFFICES
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Courts Administration Service |
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LOCAL OFFICES FCA - Federal Court of Appeal |
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ALBERTA — Calgary |
ALBERTA — Edmonton |
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BRITISH COLUMBIA — Vancouver |
MANITOBA — Winnipeg |
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NEW BRUNSWICK — Fredericton |
NOVA SCOTIA — Halifax |
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ONTARIO — Toronto |
2 — Registry of the Tax Court of Canada (London) |
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QUÉBEC — Montréal 30 McGill Street H2Y 3Z7 |
QUÉBEC — Québec |
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OFFICES STAFFED BY PROVINCIAL AND/OR TERRITORIAL COURT EMPLOYEES |
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NEW BRUNSWICK — Saint John |
NEWFOUNDLAND — St. John’s |
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NORTHWEST TERRITORIES — Yellowknife |
NUNAVUT— Iqaluit |
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PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND — Charlottetown |
SASKATCHEWAN — Saskatoon |
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SASKATCHEWAN — Regina |
YUKON TERRITORY — Whitehorse |