Computer Systems
Policy & Design » LMDA Coordination and Analysis » Québec
8.1 Framework for the use of certain HRDC systems
8.1.1 In accordance with the interconnection arrangements agreed on by the parties, Canada shall, in the context of the administration of active measures, give Québec access to all HRDC labour market related applications used by Québec for its entire client base.
8.1.2 Provided its development capabilities permit, Canada may, at Québec’s request, export to Québec any HRDC labour market related application or part thereof, and Québec may make any changes it deems necessary based on its own criteria. The parties shall agree on protocols governing export, user manuals, programming, test cases, and training documents for users.
8.2 Systems for information exchange by the two governments
8.2.1 After each of the parties has conducted its evaluations, and on the basis of operational requirements, the parties shall agree on the terms and conditions governing interactive access to data contained in each other’s data banks. These terms and conditions shall address such areas as responsibility for developing, managing and enhancing interactive access, as well as data integrity and protection.
8.2.2 The parties agree that off-line information transfers shall be done through data communication links that will be set up and maintained in accordance with the interconnection arrangements agreed on.
8.3 Interconnection technology
8.3.1 Canada shall be responsible for establishing and managing the interconnection of its network with Québec’s network, up to the gateway to Québec’s proprietary government network. Each of the parties shall manage the interconnection structures it has established.
8.3.2 Each party shall be responsible for providing the information and tools necessary to enable the other to access its infrastructure and computer systems in accordance with the management arrangements set out in clause 8.4.2 of the present Agreement (e.g. security cards, encryption methods, network addresses of components, etc.). On the date on which Québec assumes its responsibilities, the tools provided by Canada shall be based on the undertakings given in clause 7.13 of the Agreement in Principle. Beginning on that date, the parties may discuss possible ways of broadening the use of such tools.
8.3.3 Canada and Québec shall take full advantage of electronic mail to facilitate exchanges between each other’s staff, and each party shall bear the costs of its use.
8.4 Management arrangements of computer systems
8.4.1 Implementation planning and coordination
8.4.1.1 Immediately after signing the Implementation Agreement, the Canada-Québec joint implementation committee shall designate expert representatives who will have the mandate, under the committee’s authority, of implementing the computer systems in accordance with the provisions set out in this Agreement.
8.4.1.2 Once the Canada-Québec joint implementation committee has completed its work, the expert representatives shall continue their work within the framework of the Canada-Québec joint Committee to Oversight the Labour Market Agreement.
8.4.1.3 The parties shall agree on the technical details of, among other things, the use of management tools by both parties to identify services, technical support and ways of ensuring that the computer equipment located on their respective premises is in operational mode, to ensure that service levels are attained and to comply with the requirements of security policies and management of services. Among other things, these details shall address the following points:
8.4.1.3.1 responsibility sharing with regard to connectivity;
8.4.1.3.2 support and service delivery schedule;
8.4.1.3.3 problem management;
8.4.1.3.4 change management;
8.4.1.3.5 electronic mail;
8.4.1.3.6 training;
8.4.1.3.7 security management;
8.4.1.3.8 service levels;
8.4.1.3.8 technical support;
8.4.1.3.10 maintenance and installation of computer equipment located on the parties’ respective premises.
8.4.1.4 The parties agree to work within each other’s production capacities and limitations, except in the event of technical difficulties or unforeseen circumstances beyond a party’s control, such as network failure or a labour dispute.
8.4.2 Changes to applications and technology
8.4.2.1 Canada and Québec agree to notify each other within a reasonable time of any change affecting communication protocols or methods, data bank access procedures, or systems. The parties agree to participate in compatibility tests when changes are made to such protocols, methods, or procedures.
8.4.2.2 Québec may request improvements to HRDC applications used by Québec. These requests will be taken into account in Canada’s priority-setting process. Nothing in this clause limits the development activities that must be pursued by both parties in order to ensure information exchange between the two organizations.
8.4.2.3 Canada agrees to inform Québec, in accordance with the procedures agreed on by both parties, of any new federal application or any new version of a federal application that is relevant to this Agreement.