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Expectation (b): Internal Accountability - The Board must assure itself that the Agency has an appropriate internal accountability structure.

Assessment Criteria

• The effectiveness of the Agency is supported by the alignment of plans, priorities, and Board objectives
• The Agency has implemented its cost containment plan and managed the impacts
• Processes and options have been identified for the deficit reduction action plan
• Business transformation is being managed to ensure continuity
• Evidence of innovation

Information Considered by the Board

The CRA's governance regime ensures that accountabilities are appropriately aligned with plans, priorities, and Board objectives. All priorities and accountabilities are linked from the Commissioner, the Deputy Commissioner, and Assistant Commissioner to the overall Government of Canada and Public Service of Canada priorities.

With respect to cost-cutting initiatives, the effectiveness of the CRA's corporate governance regime was clearly demonstrated through the Agency's implementation of its Cost Containment Plan (CCP). Responding to the Government of Canada (GoC) Budget 2010 Operating Freeze, the Agency successfully launched an internal review that allowed for the reallocation of approximately $70 million in 2011-2012 and $135 million in 2012-2013.

The deficit reduction action plan followed a similar process to that of the CCP initiative. Throughout the year, a number of Agency corporate committee and strategic planning meetings were held to discuss and identify options for the initiative. During these sessions the Agency applied a set of core principles and considerations to the proposed options to ensure strategic alignment. The Agency undertook extensive work to ensure that developed business cases included changes that could be implemented in a three-year period, and took the opportunity to strategically realign parts of the business structure.

To manage the additional work that will result from the transformation agenda, the Agency has created a centralized Agency Transformation Office (ATO) led by the Strategy and Integration Branch. Program branches have also begun to organize transformation teams and implementation plans are underway so that the programs will be ready to engage with the necessary stakeholders to operationalize the business changes that are to be decided by the Government.

Board’s Assessment

Overall, the Board observed that the Agency has a strong governance structure with appropriate processes and protocols to ensure alignment of priorities and key accountabilities. The Board also noted that the governance of the change agenda will be key to successful implementation of the CRA's transformation agenda. It will be important that the Agency continues to monitor the plan to ensure the objectives of these initiatives are realized

Board’s Rating: Strong

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Date modified:

2012-09-12