SST’s priorities for 2017-2018
It is my pleasure to announce the launch of the Social Security Tribunal’s new website. It is designed to help users find the information they need quickly and in a user-friendly fashion. We welcome your feedback on this new website as well as on any aspect of our services!
I will take this opportunity to share with you the Tribunal’s 2017-18 priorities. These priorities will guide the Tribunal in delivering on its important mandate of providing fair, transparent, credible and impartial appeal processes that are efficient and effective.
Tribunal’s priorities for 2017-18
1. Quality and timely decisions
Working within the legislation and regulations that govern the work of the Tribunal, and with the resources at its disposal, the Tribunal will continue to strive to meet its service standards for all four caseloads. The Tribunal will continue to invest in its on-going member training program to ensure that they issue high quality decisions. New legal tools for members and parties will be developed and existing tools will be updated. The Tribunal will continue to improve the quality of its decisions by analyzing and implementing lessons learned from new court decisions and from its own Appeal Division.
In addition, the Tribunal will analyze data in key areas of its work, such as reasons for adjournments, to identify strategies to improve the timeliness of decisions. Moreover, the Tribunal will examine how alternative dispute resolution mechanisms might be used to improve the timeliness of settlements between parties.
2. Improving the Tribunal's efficiency
The Tribunal will analyze the findings and recommendations identified in the 2016-17 operational review and the recent appellant, representative and member surveys and will endeavour to implement the recommendations where appropriate.
The Tribunal will continue to review operational data to measure the efficiency of the new web site and the new notice of appeal forms. The Tribunal will assess initiatives to improve the responsiveness of its operations, including measures to promote increased electronic communications with parties.
Furthermore, the Tribunal will fully collaborate on the upcoming review of its operations requested by the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development.
3. Transparency and Access to Justice
As promised, the Tribunal will report on its achievements through its upcoming 2016-17 Achievements Report. The Tribunal will also update a number of forms and template letters to better align their content with the Tribunal’s procedures and to improve operational efficiency. Feedback received from our stakeholders parties regarding the quality of our services will be reviewed, including feedback pertaining to the new website, and recommended suggestions or modifications will be implemented as required.
As well, the Tribunal will continue to develop new practice directions, guidelines, directives and operational processes to help guide parties, members and staff navigate through the Tribunal’s legislative and regulatory processes. Finally, the Tribunal will continue to post all Appeal Division decisions and a broad selection of General Division decisions.
Conclusion
As the Tribunal enters its fifth year of operations, it stands committed to making a number of improvements to its services, processes and procedures which will enable the Tribunal to continue to make fair and quality decisions as expeditiously as possible within the legislative and regulatory framework within which it must function.
The Tribunal has achieved significant progress in its first four years of operations as a result of the hard work of our Vice-chairpersons, members and staff. I am confident that significant progress will continue to be achieved this fiscal year resulting once again in improved services for Canadians.
Finally, on behalf of the Tribunal, I would like to welcome all our new Tribunal members and offer my most sincere appreciation to all members whose appointments have recently ended.