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 Access to Information 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

PUBLIC SERVICE STAFF RELATIONS BOARD
ANNUAL REPORT
ACCESS TO INFORMATION 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 two formal access to information requests during the period under review. The two requests were from individuals. The Board also processed three consultation requests. All requests were completed within the 30-day limit. Access to the disclosed information for one of the formal requests was provided through copies of the documents. The other requester was given the opportunity to view the originals and later received paper copies of the documents.

For one of the formal requests, authority was given to proceed with full disclosure of the documents in question and for the other formal case, there was partial disclosure of the available information. Exemptions were invoked under paragraph 16(2) and 19(1) of the Access to Information Act.

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION

Organization of Activities and Delegation Instrument

The Chairperson has appointed the Head of Information Management as Co-ordinator under the Access to Information Act (the ATIA). 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 Access to Information Act and to updating the Government of Canada Publication, Info Source, and to preparing reports.

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 Access to Information Request Forms, a copy of the Board's Subject Classification Manual and other relevant publications.

In compliance with the Treasury Board Policy on records management, the Board's Records Management Section is continuously reviewing and updating its information holdings to ensure quick retrieval of information which could be requested under the Access to Information Act. In addition, all information included in the Board's main filing system is linked to its respective Program Record Number.

Formal/Informal Interface

During the reporting period, two requests were submitted and treated formally.

Institutional Policies

While the Board's policy is to charge fees for the processing of requests which exceed $5.00, the nature and merit of each request is reviewed before a final decision concerning the request for or waiving of payment is made.

Education and Training

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

Complaints, Investigations and Audits

As of March 31, 2003, the Board had no outstanding complaints against it under the Access to Information Act.

Appeals to the Federal Court

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

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