Annual Report, 1997/98
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Ministry of Human Resources Annual Report, 1997/98 |
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Corporate Services
The Corporate Services Branch supports the deputy minister and Executive Committee by managing key ministry issues. This includes preparing and reviewing briefing materials, reviewing ministerial correspondence, tracking issues, conducting research and managing special projects. The branch acts as a final quality control point for all ministerial and deputy ministerial briefing materials and correspondence. The branch is also responsible for managing freedom of information requests, and providing advice, policy development, leadership and issues management on issues that need to be addressed at the federal/provincial/territorial level.
The Corporate Services Branch has four components;
• the Correspondence unit,
• the Client Call unit,
• the Information and Privacy office, and
• the Intergovernmental Relations office.
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IGR supports and undertakes federal/provincial negotiations on particular issues and works closely with other governments, ministries and agencies to act on national social policy priorities. These include initiatives led by the Ministry of Human Resources and issues led by other ministries which may impact this ministry. It represents the ministry on various federal/provincial/territorial committees and working groups and supports the deputy minister’s role on the federal/provincial/territorial Deputy Ministers Responsible for Social Services Committee and the minister’s role on the federal/provincial/territorial Ministers Responsible for Social Services Committee.
Objective: To work with other jurisdictions to implement the National Child Benefit.
Strategy: B.C. worked to coordinate provincial implementation of the National Child Benefit (scheduled for July 1, 1998) through negotiations with the federal government and other provinces and territories. The goals of the benefit are to reduce the depth of child poverty and promote attachment to the labour market.
Results: B.C.’s experience in introducing the BC Family Bonus has been instrumental in guiding the implementation process for the National Child Benefit.
Objective: To work with federal, provincial and territorial partners toward reform of disability income and supports.
Strategy: As a member of the working group on benefits and services for Persons With Disabilities, B.C. assisted in the design of a framework on harmonization strategies. In addition, through the working group, B.C. participated in the development of the draft vision paper In Unison: A Canadian Approach to Disability Issues which is designed to establish a common framework for all jurisdictions to use in the development of policy on disability issues.
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Information and Privacy Office
The Information and Privacy Office administers the ministry’s responsibilities under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. The office ensures that the ministry is in full compliance with the legislated standards for the protection of privacy of personal information in its custody, and with the provisions for access to records held by the ministry, including an individual’s personal information. The major activity of the office is the management of formal requests for access to information.
Objective: To bring the ministry into compliance with legislated time frames for response to information requests.
Strategy: The branch introduced a number of efficiency measures designed to facilitate response to information requests.
Results: More than 600 requests for information were processed during 1997-98, an increase of almost 10 per cent over the previous year. Due to the continued rise in the volume of requests, the ministry was not able to meet the legislated time frames. However, the size of the backlog of requests was reduced.
Objective: To ensure that the protection of privacy and information access policies and requirements under the Act are fully integrated into all aspects of ministry operations.
Strategy: The office was involved in the revision of the BC Benefits application form and other regulatory and policy initiatives of the ministry. Staff worked on the development and implementation of various information-sharing agreements. The office participated in the investigation and resolution of privacy complaints and represented the ministry in reviews and other matters involving the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner.
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The Client Call Unit responds to public inquiries and client specific concerns about ministry programs, providing general information and referrals to appropriate resources. A high volume of diverse calls are referred to this unit from the minister’s office, Service BC, the Premier’s Office, other ministries and agencies. The majority of calls deal with issues of extreme sensitivity and responses must be timely and confidential.
Since its inception in April 1995, the unit has responded to 7288 calls to the end of March 1998. The number of calls in 1997-98 totalled 3,701, averaging 308 calls per month. The number of calls reflects the changes in policy, seasonal issues, changes in service delivery models as well as service quality issues.
Efforts are aimed at resolving callers’ issues and concerns at the local level where services are delivered, in a fair and timely manner.
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The Correspondence Unit is responsible for planning, developing, maintaining and monitoring policies, standards, systems and services for the management of ministerial correspondence across the ministry. The unit coordinates a variety of correspondence resource materials, reports to the executive council on trends, performances and related issues, and ensures the overall quality and effectiveness of correspondence coordination. Approximately 1,800 letters were logged during 1997-98.