Archived [2020-03-31] - Directive on Information Management Roles and Responsibilities

The objective of this directive is to identify the roles and responsibilities of all departmental employees in supporting the deputy head in the effective management of information in their department.

5.2.1. Governance structures in departments ensure sound IM accountability.

5.2.2. Information management is an identifiable and integral element of departmental programs and services.

5.2.3. Information management in departments supports the GC IM Program.

As the senior executive for IM designated by the deputy head as per Section 6.1.7 of the Policy on Information Management, this is the central role to co-ordinate, promote and direct information management within the department. The designated senior executive is responsible for ensuring the appropriate management direction, processes and tools are in place to efficiently manage information under the control of the department to support the department's business and to retain the quality of information throughout the information life cycle by:

6.1.1 participating in GC IM committees and ensuring participation from their department in the development and implementation of government-wide policy instruments;

6.1.2 ensuring IM requirements are addressed during departmental strategic planning;

6.1.3 advising the designated senior executive for the department who is responsible for information technology (IT), on information management requirements and objectives;

6.1.4 ensuring IM requirements are addressed during the planning phase of departmental program and system design;

6.1.5 ensuring that adequate information management governance and accountability structures are in place throughout the department and that the accountability structures are clearly defined when information is shared with other federal government departments, other governments or non-governmental organizations;

6.1.6 co-ordinating resources and implementation of departmental information management activities including: service delivery, internal development of policy instruments, training and development for staff, as well as building awareness;

6.1.7 identifying, addressing and monitoring departmental information management resource and training requirements;

6.1.8 ensuring the effectiveness of the IM policy and its instruments is regularly assessed against objectives within the department (e.g., every three years);

6.1.9 adopting, as applicable, government-wide solutions for IM within their respective departments; and

6.1.10 advising Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS) of any impact that new or amended legislation and policies will have on departmental IM.

Managers at all levels in a department have the role of managing resources, tools and processes in order to achieve assigned deliverables and outcomes. Managers are responsible for managing information as an integral part of their program and service delivery and as a strategic business resource by:

6.2.1 analysing the business process and conveying information requirements to information management functional specialists, i.e., what information the business process requires, produces, collects and stores; who needs access to it; for what purpose and for how long; and incorporating solutions into the business process;

6.2.2 applying information management policy, standards, procedures, directives, guidelines, tools and best practices, in the performance of the manager's duties, to ensure the authenticity and integrity of the information;

6.2.3 identifying information issues and requirements to information management functional specialists to ensure processes and systems appropriately address these issues and requirements;

6.2.4 ensuring employees understand and apply effective information management in day-to-day operations and that these responsibilities are included in performance objectives;

6.2.5 ensuring information management requirements are included in the contractual terms and conditions for contractors and others engaged in work on behalf of the GC; and

6.2.6 ensuring that appropriate arrangements are put in place for the management of information received from other federal departments and agencies and from individuals and entities outside of the federal government (e.g., private citizens, the private sector and other jurisdictions).

All employees are responsible for managing the information they collect, create and use as a valuable asset to support not only the outcomes of the programs and services, but also the department's operational needs and accountabilities by:

6.3.1 applying GC and departmental information management policy, standards, procedures, directives, guidelines, tools and best practices in a way that supports their department's business, as implemented in their department;

6.3.2 documenting their activities and decisions;

6.3.3 providing and bringing to their manager's attention information requirements and issues and, when appropriate, to information management functional specialists; and

6.3.4 treating departmental information in a manner that facilitates access while ensuring privacy and security requirements are met.

IM functional specialists are responsible for supporting the effective management of departmental information throughout its life cycle by:

6.4.1 implementing government-wide policies, directives and standards; adopting as appropriate procedures, guidelines, tools and best practices, as well as developing supporting departmental information management initiatives;

6.4.2 developing and delivering information management services, advice and training and awareness sessions to departmental personnel at all levels;

6.4.3 supporting integration of IM requirements into departmental business and information technology strategies and plans;

6.4.4 collaborating with program managers to address information life cycle requirements in the development and operation of processes, systems, standards and tools that support business information requirements; and

6.4.5 analysing newly introduced or changed legislation, policies and standards for IM impact.

7.1.1 Deputy heads are responsible for monitoring adherence to this directive within their department, consistent with the provisions of the Treasury Board's Policy on Evaluation and Policy on Internal Audit. Deputy heads are responsible for ensuring that appropriate remedial action is taken to address any deficiencies within their department.

7.2.1 Deputy heads will report concerns relating to information management roles and responsibilities to Treasury Board Secretariat as appropriate.

7.3.1 TBS will monitor compliance with all aspects of this directive and the achievement of expected results in a variety of ways, including but not limited to assessments under the Management Accountability Framework , examinations of Treasury Board submissions, Departmental Performance Reports, results of audits, evaluations and studies. TBS will also work directly with departments.

7.3.2 Treasury Board Secretariat (Chief Information Officer) will review this directive and its effectiveness at the five‑year mark from the effective date of the directive (or earlier if warranted). When substantiated by risk‑analysis, the Chief Information Officer Branch will also ensure an evaluation is conducted.

9.1.1 Provides interpretive advice and guidance on this directive;

9.1.2 Develops and promotes, in consultation with other federal government departments:

• a program and framework for the management of information;
• enterprise information architecture including principles, methods, processes and standards to enable consistent information architecture across domains such as finance, human resources, etc.;
• standards, procedures, directives, guidelines, tools and best practices that achieve the goals and expected results of this directive;

9.1.3 Promotes functional communities for the management of information as required to support IM functional specialists; and

9.1.4 Develops competency and other professional standards for IM functional specialists as required.

Library and Archives Canada (LAC) is responsible for administering the Library and Archives of Canada Act . Notably, LAC:

9.2.1 acquires, preserves, makes known and facilitates access to the documentary heritage of Canada;

9.2.2 preserves the published heritage of the nation and of the Government of Canada;

9.2.3 provides direction and assistance on recordkeeping for the Government of Canada;

9.2.4 identifies, selects, acquires and preserves government records, as defined in the Library and Archives of Canada Act, in all media considered to be of enduring value to Canada as documentary heritage;

9.2.5 issues records disposition authorities, pursuant to section 12 of the Library and Archives of Canada Act, to enable departments to carry out their records retention and disposition plans;

9.2.6 manages and protects the essential records and less frequently referenced material of federal government departments; and

9.2.7 assists federal government departments in ensuring that all of their published information is easily accessible to decision-makers and is available to the public.

Statistics Canada is responsible for administering the Statistics Act . Notably Statistics Canada:

9.3.1 collaborates with and provides assistance to federal government departments in the collection, compilation, analysis and publication of statistical information, including statistics derived from the activities of federal government departments; and

9.3.2 recognizes and addresses opportunities to avoid duplication in statistical collection across the Government of Canada.

Public Works and Government Services Canada is responsible for common government information technology services including:

9.4.1 providing common government-wide information solutions for document management, web content management, portal and collaboration, and enterprise search management.

The Canada School of Public Service is responsible for the development and delivery of a government wide core learning strategy and program for all public servants involved in the management of information. These tasks are performed in consultation with the relevant functional authority centres and consistent with the Policy on Learning, Training and Development .