Enabling core business operations

The CRA uses modern management methods and practices that ensure our ability to: comply with the accountability requirements of legislation, regulations, government policies, and directives; use effective human resources practices; ensure that communications are well-managed and responsive; and sustain and advance our core information technology (IT) functions, which are critical to the delivery of all our programs.

Trends and challenges

• Pending retirements and the pace of employee movement in certain areas of our organization pose a challenge for the CRA.
• Changes brought about by globalization, aging facilities and applications, and increased reliance on technology brings greater complexity to some of our work.
• The CRA must respond to the ongoing challenge of all government departments to enhance productivity while maximizing efficient use of public funds.

Over the planning period, we will undertake the following initiatives to respond to the challenges we face in enabling core business operations.

Human resources capacity

The CRA identifies talent management as a planned approach to address human resources needs. Given the highly technical nature of our work, we may have difficulties in recruiting and keeping the right staff. The challenge lies in identifying where to focus our efforts and resources to ensure that we can meet both current and future needs.

IT sustainability and protection and management of information

Canadians expect the tax and benefit delivery system to be supported by high performance information technology and good information management. Processes key to the CRA's mission depend on automation and computerized processing, and high quality data. This reliance on technology and information will undoubtedly increase as the CRA continues to implement its business strategies related electronic services. The CRA will continue to participate as a member of the Cyber Authentication Renewal Program to provide secure access and lay the groundwork for the continued expansion of the suite of electronic services we offer. In pursuing our efforts to protect and manage the information entrusted to the CRA, we will advance our internal fraud control program and the identity and access management initiative.

IT sustainability and protection and management of information

Canadians expect the tax and benefit delivery system to be supported by high performance information technology and good information management. Processes key to the CRA's mission depend on automation and computerized processing, and high quality data. This reliance on technology and information will undoubtedly increase as the CRA continues to implement its business strategies related electronic services. The CRA will continue to participate as a member of the Cyber Authentication Renewal Program to provide secure access and lay the groundwork for the continued expansion of the suite of electronic services we offer. In pursuing our efforts to protect and manage the information entrusted to the CRA, we will advance our internal fraud control program and the identity and access management initiative.

Stewardship

The CRA is working toward meeting the requirements of Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat's newly established financial management policy framework and the new accounting officer provisions of the Financial Administration Act. Due to the number and complexity of processes and systems involved, the CRA is taking a multi-year approach to assessing all of its relevant controls.