The Honourable Stéphane Dion, P.C., M.P.
President of the Queen's Privy Council
  for Canada and Minister of
 Intergovernmental Affairs
House of Commons
OTTAWA

Dear Mr. Minister:

It is my pleasure to transmit to you, pursuant to section 72 of the Privacy Act, the Twentieth Annual Report of the Public Service Staff Relations Board covering the period from April 1, 2002, to March 31, 2003, for submission to Parliament.

   Yvon Tarte
   Chairperson

• Introduction
• Statistical Reports / Explanation
• Organization of Activities and Delegation Instrument
• Implementation
• Formal/Informal Interface
• Institutional Policies
• Education and Training
• Complaints, Investigations and Audits
• Appeals to the Federal Court
• Disclosures under 8(2)(e) of the Privacy Act
• Exempt Banks
• Use and Disclosure

PUBLIC SERVICE STAFF RELATIONS BOARD
ANNUAL REPORT
PRIVACY ACT
APRIL 1, 2002 TO MARCH 31, 2003

INTRODUCTION

The Public Service Staff Relations Board (the Board) is a quasi-judicial statutory tribunal responsible for the administration of the systems of collective bargaining and grievance adjudication established under the Public Service Staff Relations Act (the Act) and the Parliamentary Employment and Staff Relations Act. In addition, the Board is responsible for the administration of certain provisions of Part II of the Canada Labour Code concerning the occupational safety and health of employees in the Public Service. The Board also provides mediation and conciliation services to help parties resolve differences without resorting to formal proceedings before the Board. The combined functions of the Chairperson and the Board in specific areas under the Act are analogous to those performed by Ministers of Labour in private sector jurisdictions. Pursuant to the Act, the Board consists of a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, no less than three Deputy Chairpersons and such other full-time members and part-time members as the Governor in Council considers necessary.

Proceedings before the Board include grievance adjudication, applications for certification, revocation of certification, complaints of unfair labour practices, designation of confidential positions, designation of positions whose duties are required to be performed in the interest of the safety or security of the public, and complaints under the safety and health provisions of Part II of the Canada Labour Code. By far the heaviest volume of cases consists of grievances referred to adjudication concerning the interpretation or application of provisions of collective agreements or major disciplinary action and termination of employment.

STATISTICAL REPORTS / EXPLANATION

The Board received one formal Privacy request from an individual during the period under review. The Board also processed two consultation requests which originated from other federal institutions. The documents that were part of the consultation requests were fully disclosed. Concerning the request from the individual, requested information was disclosed in part as some documents were not subject to the Privacy Act. All requests were processed within the 30-day limit. The method used to provide access to all disclosed information was the provision of copies of the documents.

No requests for translation, corrections or notations were received during the period under review.

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION

Organization of Activities and Delegation Instrument

The Chairperson has appointed the Head of Information Management as Co?ordinator under the Privacy Act. Any request received by the Board is referred by the Co?ordinator to the appropriate Branch for review and report before a decision is rendered on the request by the Co?ordinator. Where necessary, consultation takes place with the Chairperson. The Co?ordinator dedicates approximately 2% of a person?year to the administration of the Privacy Act.

Implementation

A reading area is located in the Board's Records Office. A copy of the Government of Canada Publication Info Source is available for reference as are Privacy Request Forms, a copy of the Board's Subject Classification Manual and other relevant publications.

All Personal Information Banks maintained by the Board have been registered with Treasury Board and are reviewed and updated annually.

Privacy Impact Assessments (PIA) will be conducted for new programs and services that raise privacy issues, based on TBS guidelines.

Records contained in Personal Information Banks are disposed of in accordance with schedules approved by the National Archives. Destruction of personal information is performed by the National Archives' shredding facilities.

Formal/Informal Interface

All requests for personal information were submitted formally during the reporting period.

Institutional Policies

All requests for personal information are processed free of charge to applicants.

Education and Training

Information on the Privacy legislation has been incorporated into the Board's orientation package for new employees. Training on Access to Information was also offered to all interested individuals in 2002-2003.

Complaints, Investigations and Audits

No complaints, investigations or audits were conducted during the period under review.

Appeals to the Federal Court

There were no appeals to the Federal Court during the period under review with respect to Privacy requests.

Disclosures under paragraph 8(2)(e) of the Privacy Act

The Co-ordinator for the Privacy Act, following consultation with the Chairperson, is authorized to approve disclosures to specified investigative bodies.

Exempt Banks

There were no denials of access pursuant to subsection 18(2) of the Privacy Act.

Use and Disclosure

During the formal review and registration process of Personal Information Banks, bank managers were informed of the requirement to ensure that information contained in banks directly related to an existing government program or activity and that the use of personal information be consistent with the purpose for which it was compiled/obtained.

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