Commissioner of Canada Elections – Annual Report 2012-2013
II. Managing the Organization
A. Resources
The Commissioner is supported by a core team of investigators, paralegals, an administrative assistant and lawyers, as well as additional resources hired on a contract or term basis to deal with fluctuating needs. The Commissioner may also, through a Memorandum of Understanding with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, access technical assistance or other support for his investigations.
The Investigations Directorate, which carries out the investigative functions to support the Commissioner, was comprised of six full-time indeterminate employees in 2012–2013. These consisted of the Director of Investigations, three senior investigators, one paralegal and one administrative assistant. The expenses related to the salary of these indeterminate employees amounted to $541,125.
Under the CEA, certain expenses required to pursue the Commissioner's investigations and carry out his duties may be drawn from the Consolidated Revenue Fund. This can include adding non-permanent resources or contracting for additional resources, as required. In 2012–2013, the Commissioner called on term or contract resources, which varied in number over the year. As of March 31, 2013, this additional workforce represented seven investigators, one paralegal and two enquiries officers. The total expenses for these non-permanent resources drawn from the Consolidated Revenue Fund amounted to $841,552.
The Commissioner is also supported by a specialized team of legal advisers within the Legal Services, Compliance and Investigations Sector.
For the fiscal year starting April 1, 2013, the CEO allocated additional resources to fund three indeterminate investigators and a second indeterminate paralegal.
B. Other matters
Two points should be mentioned here.
- Memorandum of Understanding with the Director of Public Prosecutions
On March 5, 2013, a renewed Memorandum of Understanding between the CEO, the Commissioner and the DPP was signed in order to ensure effective enforcement of the CEA. It sets out roles and responsibilities both during and after an investigation, and in relation to a referral to the DPP and a prosecution under the CEA. - New complaint tracking system
The former electronic filing system in use in the Commissioner's Office was created in the mid-1990s and had become obsolete. It was replaced in October 2012 by a new complaint tracking system (CTS). This new tool will allow the Commissioner to better track and report on the complaints and referrals received.