While Public Safety Canada and the Office of the Correctional Investigator are part of the same portfolio, each is a separate agency headed by a deputy head, who is also the accounting officer. In view of its relative size--approximately 30 employees--it would not be practical or cost effective for the Office of the Correctional Investigator to provide its own core administrative services.
Since its establishment as a separate agency in 1992, the Office of the Correctional Investigator has received from the former Department of the Solicitor General and from Public Safety Canada some services in the area of financial and human resources management.
As the accounting officer of the Department of Public Safety, I am responsible for the quality of the services provided by officers of the department to the agencies of the portfolio.
The report of the Auditor General identified some weaknesses in the way officials of my department have discharged their responsibilities over the years. The appropriate corrective measures have been identified and are being implemented. For example, we now have a memorandum of understanding with the Office of the Correctional Investigator, which clearly specifies the roles and responsibilities of each organization. We have also issued further guidance and tools to assist employees who have delegated financial and human resources responsibilities.
I would be pleased to respond to the questions of committee members.
Mr. St-Jean, you have a few comments you want to make.