Canada Pension Plan / Old Age Security Review Tribunals - Biennial Report 2002-2004

Table of Contents

Letter to the Minister

1. OUR MISSION, ROLE AND OPERATIONS
Our Mission
Our Role
Role within the Appeal System
Appeal System under Canada Pension Plan
Appeal System under Old Age Security Act
Benefits Addressed by Review Tribunals
Appeals by Review Tribunals by Benefit Types
Who We Are
The Office of the Commissioner of Review Tribunals
Review Tribunal Members
What We Do
1. Preparations for a Hearing
2. The Hearing
3. Decision and Dissemination
Realities and Priorities

2. LEVELING THE PLAYING FIELD
Preparing People for Their Hearing
Early Release of Departmental Explanation of Decision Under Appeal
Counselling and Support
Incoming Telephone Calls by Month (2003/04)
Information Tools
Balancing Advantages at Hearings
Access to Medical Records
Travel and Accommodation Costs
Access to Effective Representation
Providing Interpreters at Hearings
Complaint Processes

3. ENSURING INFORMED AND RESPONSIVE REVIEW TRIBUNALS
Orientation of New Panel Members
Canada Pension Plan
Old Age Security Act
Strengthening Members' Capacity to Assess Medical Evidence
Increasing Medical Information Resources for Members
Deepening Members' Understanding of Frequently Encountered Conditions
Monitoring Health Information and Informatics Developments
Ensuring Responsiveness and Fairness
Imparting Sensitivity to Cultural Diversity
Encouraging Better Appreciation of Appellants' Circumstances
Reviewing Ethical and Fairness Issues
Procedural Fairness
Composition of the National Panel
Panel Members by Province and Category
Panel Members by Gender and Category

4. WORKLOAD AND PERFORMANCE
A Changing Workload
Appeals Decline to a Plateau
Appeals to Review Tribunals, 1992/93 to 2003/04
Balance of Cases - CPP and OAS (1997/98 to 2003/04)
More Complicated Cases
Responding to the Challenge
Accountability to Clients
Better Scheduling Methods for Hearings
Appeals Received and Hearings Held by Month, 2002/03
Appeals Received and Hearings Held by Month, 2003/04
Informing Appellants and Training Panel Members and OCRT Staff
Effective Use of Information and Communications Technology

5. TRENDS IN DECISIONS
Trends in Review Tribunal Decisions
Review Tribunal Hearings by Outcome, 1997/98 to 2003/04
Hearing Outcome Rates (CPP Disability Only), 1992/93 to 2003/04
Appeals of Review Tribunal Decisions in CPP Cases
Appeals of CPP Review Tribunal Decisions
Appeals of CPP Review Tribunal Decisions by Appellants
Appeals of CPP Review Tribunal Decisions by Department

6. THE WAY AHEAD
Cooperation on Policy Development
Goals for the Future
1. Level the Playing Field between the Department and Contributors
2. Increase our Effectiveness, Efficiency and Fairness
3. Build a Model Federal Government Workplace
4. Cooperate with Stakeholders in Improving the System

GLOSSARY

ANNEX A: INSIDE THE OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF REVIEW TRIBUNALS
Organization Chart
Legal Services
Tribunal Operations and Communications
Professional Development and Technical Services
Appointments and Members Secretariat
Corporate Services

ANNEX B: EXPENDITURES
Salary and Non-Salary Expenditures, 2002/03
Salary and Non-Salary Expenditures, 2003/04

ANNEX C: CODE OF CONDUCT FOR REVIEW TRIBUNAL MEMBERS