About the CFIA > Modern Management Initiatives  

Modern Management Initiatives

The CFIA has embraced the principles of modern comptrollership since its inception in 1997. It was one of the first agencies in the federal public service to commit to presenting its financial statements according to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). This commitment was enshrined in the Agency’s founding legislation, The Canadian Food Inspection Agency Act. Accordingly, the Agency’s annual audited financial statements have been produced on an accrual accounting basis since 2001.

The CFIA also adopted the principle that delegation, both financial and human resource-based, should be made as close to front-line management (where the business decisions had immediate impact) as practical. The Agency recognized that a strong management/leadership cadre, supported by intensive training, good integrated management tools and systems (including risk management) and a commitment to responsible active monitoring would be integral to its success. Through extensive employee consultation, the Agency also developed a strong values and ethics framework, designed to encourage an orderly transition from a rules-based to a values-driven organization.

The CFIA remains strongly committed to using modern comptrollership as the vehicle to continue to evolve into a more flexible, responsive, transparent, productive, and results-oriented organization.