The Government of Canada is working hard to enhance the role of Parliament and the proactive disclosure of information so that Canadians are better able to hold Parliament, their Government, and public sector officials to account.
To this end, the Government announced the mandatory publication on departmental Web sites of travel and hospitality expenses for selected government officials; contracts entered into by the Government of Canada for amounts over $10,000 (with only limited exceptions such as national security); the reclassification of positions and grants and contribution over $25,000.
Disclosure of Travel and Hospitality Expenses
On December 12, 2003, the Prime Minister announced a new policy on the mandatory publication of travel and hospitality expenses for selected government officials.
Disclosure of Annual Reporting-Expenditures for Travel, Hospitality and Conferences
Reports on Library and Archives Canada's total annual expenditures for travel, hospitality and conferences, organized by fiscal year.
Disclosure of Contracts Over $10,000
On March 23, 2004, the government announced a new policy on the mandatory publication of contracts over $10,000.
This website provides information on contracts issued by or on behalf of this institution. Every three months we will be reporting contracts awarded by the institution in the previous three months.
Beginning on October 31, 2004, and every three months thereafter, this website will be updated to include information on new contracts awarded.
The rules and principles governing government contracting are outlined in the
Treasury Board Contracting Policy. The objective of government procurement contracting is to acquire goods and services, including construction services, in a manner that enhances access, competition and fairness and results in best value to Canada.
Disclosure of Position Reclassifications
On February 25, 2004, the government announced the mandatory publication of information concerning the reclassification of occupied positions in the Public Service of Canada.
This website provides information on the reclassification of occupied positions by department and agencies on a quarterly basis.
The rules and principles governing the reclassification of occupied positions are outlined in the
Guidelines on Reclassification. These guidelines provide Deputy Heads with a framework within which to exercise their delegated classification authority for the reclassification of existing positions.
The following are some of the reasons that the duties of a position change resulting in a reclassification of the position:
- Changes to departmental/program mandate;
- Managers reorganize in response to external conditions that increase or decrease available resources;
- Managers reorganize to make more efficient and effective use of their financial and human resources, such as technology innovations, changes in employee competencies; or
- Managers reassign work among their existing human resources to increase productivity, such as in response to vacancies that require temporary or permanent reassignment of work;
- Results from a classification grievance.
Reclassification of occupied positions in the Public Service of Canada is an important and necessary business management option. However, when contemplating changes to a position that may result in reclassification, management must endeavour to ensure the proper, effective and efficient use of public money. The cost implication associated with upward reclassification must be known, transparent and support accountability for classification decisions.
Disclosure of Grant and Contribution Awards Over $25,000
On October 21, 2005, the Government announced its commitment to proactively disclose the awarding of grants and contributions over $25,000 as part of its Management Improvement Agenda.
This Web site provides information on grants and contributions awarded by Library and Archives Canada.
Beginning on May 31, 2006, and every three months thereafter, this Web site will be updated to include information on grants and contributions awarded in the previous fiscal year quarter.
The rules and principles governing government grants and contributions are outlined in the Treasury Board
Policy on Transfer Payments. Transfer payments are transfers of money, goods, services or assets made from an appropriation to individuals, organizations or other levels of government, without the federal government directly receiving goods or services in return, but which may require the recipient to provide a report or other information subsequent to receiving payment. These expenditures are reported in the
Public Accounts of Canada. The major types of transfer payments are grants, contributions and 'other transfer payments'.
Included in this category, but not to be reported under proactive disclosure of awards, are (1) transfers to other levels of government such as Equalization payments as well as Canada Health and Social Transfer payments. (2) Grants and contributions reallocated or otherwise redistributed by the recipient to third parties; and (3) information that would normally be withheld under the
Acess to Information Act and the
Privacy Act.