Foreword by the Chair

This year marked the 10th anniversary of the creation of the Agency and its Board. Since its inception in 1999, the Board has matured into a productive and proactive body that has played a key role in the CRA’s success. The CRA’s unique governance, with the Board as a cornerstone of this structure, is increasingly recognized as a model for other government organizations in Canada and abroad. I am pleased to be part of the Canada Revenue Agency’s Board of Management.

The year 2009-2010 was a challenging one for the Board and the CRA having to ensure that the organization was making the most efficient and effective use of its resources during a time of economic restraint. In this regard, the Board monitored the CRA’s spending and its intended allocation of resources, while continuing to ensure CRA’s commitment to providing timely, accessible and effective services to taxpayers and benefit recipients.

Information technology (IT) remained an important area of Board oversight, not surprising given the extent to which services provided and programs administered by the CRA are dependent on the Agency’s IT systems and architecture. One key area of focus for the Board was the Data Centre Co-location Initiative, which the Board will continue to monitor throughout 2010-2011.

The Board continued to stress the importance of a robust and effective risk management regime and, at its Strategic Planning Meeting in November 2009, reviewed, discussed, and better defined its own role in risk governance. One noteworthy achievement in 2009-2010 was the creation of a dedicated Chief Risk Officer position at the Agency, a first within the federal public service.

In 2009-2010, the CRA witnessed changes in no less than eight positions within its senior executive ranks, including the arrival of a new Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner. This movement and churn in the executive ranks highlighted the Board’s ongoing focus on succession planning and talent management at the CRA, particularly within the ranks of the Agency’s executive cadre.

On behalf of the CRA Board of Management, I am pleased to recommend this report to the Minister of National Revenue, the Honourable Keith Ashfield, for tabling in Parliament.

Susan J. McArthur
Chair, Board of Management

Date modified:

2010-11-02