Key accomplishments for 2015-16 and priorities for 2016-2017
Having recently completed our third year of operation, it is my pleasure to highlight the Tribunal’s key accomplishments for each of our 2015-16 priorities. The high level overview of the Tribunal’s caseloads presented in this message will be followed, in the near future, by a more detailed review and assessment. I will also take this opportunity to communicate the Tribunal’s priorities for 2016-2017.
Major achievements for each priority
1. Processing appeals in an efficient, effective and timely manner
The Tribunal’s capacity to process appeals in an efficient, effective and timely manner is directly related to the number of incoming appeals, the types and complexity of appeals and the number of qualified, trained and experienced members available in each section and division. In addition, the Tribunal requires sufficient resources and staff to process and manage the different caseloads with a stable infrastructure of systems and processes.
At its peak, the Tribunal had 99 members; however, during the fiscal year, 11 members left the Tribunal for various reasons. On a positive note, 15 members with terms expiring between March and May 2016 were reappointed for a period of one year. The reappointment of experienced members will help the Tribunal continue to serve its clientele in a timely manner.
During the summer of 2015, the Tribunal stabilized its workforce by staffing full-time positions in the organization and we now have 150 employees working to directly support the Tribunal.
As well, several upgrades and improvements have been made to the case management system which resulted in better workflows for the various tribunal processes. This has contributed to a more efficient use of time for both employees and members.
General Division - Income Security
When the Tribunal opened its doors, it received 7,255 appeals from the former tribunal. I am proud to announce that most of these appeals are now completed as we have fewer than 25 appeals remaining from the original backlog which are expected to be completed in the near future. The size of our inventory has been significantly reduced and it has now reached a manageable level allowing us to introduce service standards applicable to all new appeals received on or after December 1, 2015.
General Division – Employment Insurance
The Tribunal received 321 appeals from the former tribunal but as most of these were in abeyance awaiting a decision from the Tax Court of Canada or of the Canada Revenue Agency, they are being handled as the cases become ready to proceed. Only 78 of these appeals remain and the Tribunal expects to be able to conclude a good portion of them in 2016-17.
At the beginning of the year, the Tribunal was able to conclude as many appeals as it received on any given month. However, since October 2015, the Tribunal is noticing an important increase in the number of appeals filed per month and is taking measures to manage this increase in the number of appeals. Members are working assiduously to conclude appeals and meet the service standards that apply to appeals received on or after September 1, 2015.
Appeal Division
At the beginning of the year, the Appeal Division completed both the Income Security and Employment Insurance backlogs the Tribunal inherited from the former tribunals. Since then, members have been working diligently to complete the new cases and meet the service standards that apply to appeals received on or after September 1, 2015.
The significant increase in the number of decisions at the Income Security Section is having an impact at the Appeal Division where we are noticing a significant increase in the number of Income Security appeals. The Tribunal is monitoring this situation closely and is looking at ways to manage this increase efficiently.
2. Issuing decisions of quality in a timely manner
The Tribunal is committed to issuing quality decisions and as such it continued to provide members with comprehensive training. The Tribunal developed new tools in both Employment Insurance and Income Security to help members refine their decision-writing skills and help them remain current on evolving jurisprudence.
The Tribunal improved its capacity to gather statistics which allow us to monitor the timeliness of decisions, member performance and the Tribunal’s performance relating to the different service standards.
3. Improving communications and increasing transparency with parties, stakeholders and the public
As a result of the Tribunal’s exchanges with stakeholders a number of improvements have been implemented to meet their needs. The Tribunal is now publishing all Appeal Division decisions and a good selection of General Division decisions and as a result our website now includes over 2000 decisions. In addition, the Tribunal developed Employment Insurance and Income Security tools that have been posted on our website to assist individuals identify relevant court and tribunal decisions that may be helpful in preparing for an appeal.
Finally, the Tribunal made important enhancements to its toll-free information line. Dedicated employees respond much faster and provide more relevant information to the parties to the appeal and their representatives. The Tribunal receives more than 2,600 calls every month.
Tribunal’s priorities for 2016-2017
1. Quality and timely decisions
The Tribunal will continue to issue decisions of quality by enhancing its training program, developing new legal tools and analyzing and sharing new court decisions and those of our Appeal Division that can influence the content and quality of Tribunal decisions.
The Tribunal recently tabled an action plan explaining how it will continue to review its policies and practices to ensure expeditious decisions, as recommended in the Auditor General’s fall 2015 report. The Tribunal will ensure the timeliness of decisions by focusing on meeting its service standards, by reviewing member and operational performance, and by doing a statistical analysis of caseloads and trends.
2. Improving the Tribunal’s efficiency
The Tribunal will continue to develop new practice directions, directives, guidelines and operational processes to guide parties and members concerning the Tribunal’s processes and procedures.
The Tribunal will review all of its operations to find opportunities for additional efficiencies and will continue to develop and implement quality control mechanisms. Furthermore, the Tribunal will focus on improving its case management system and the quality of statistics. The Tribunal will also start developing its electronic vision that will guide future technological improvements that will be necessary to achieve additional efficiencies.
3. Transparency and Access to Justice
As a result of suggestions from stakeholders, the Tribunal will simplify and reduce the number of forms required to appeal to the Tribunal and will continue to add relevant information and tools to its website. The Tribunal appreciates and will continue to foster its relationships with its stakeholders.
Conclusion
The Tribunal still has many challenges ahead but it is now operating on a solid foundation built by the Tribunal’s hard working and dedicated members and employees who are committed to improving access to justice for Canadians through efficient and innovative approaches.