September 17, 2025
September 17, 2025
9:30 a.m. to noon
Virtual Meeting
Members:
- Janine Sherman, External member – Chair
- André Grondines, External member
- Caroline Maynard, Information Commissioner
Secretary to the Committee:
- Michael Walsh, Financial Management Advisor
Regular attendees:
- Sébastien Lafond replacing France Labine, Deputy Commissioner, Corporate Services, Strategic Planning and Transformation Services, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Chief Audit Executive (CAE)
Senior Management Committee:
- Allison Knight replacing Layla Michaud, Deputy Commissioner, Investigations and Governance
- Marie-Josée Montreuil, Acting Deputy Commissioner, Legal Services and Public Affairs
- James Ellard, Senior Director, Public Affairs
Guests:
- Catherine Lapalme, Principal, Office of the Auditor General of Canada
Meeting Summary
- Approval of Minutes
- Approval of audited Financial Statements
- Presentation of Departmental Results Report
- Presentation of OAG Report the Audit & Evaluation Committee
- Presentation of Internal Control Testing Report
- Approval of Risk Based Audit & Evaluation Plan
- Updates from the Sectors
1. Welcome and Opening Remarks
The Commissioner and Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2. Minutes and Action Items from previous Meeting
The minutes for the July 15th meeting, the action items from the pervious meeting, and the 2025 Forward Calendar were approved.
Members agreed to move the date of the next AEC meeting to November 25th
Action item:
- Minutes to be published on the OIC website
- Meeting invitation for November AEC meeting to be updated
3. Audited Financial Statements
Sébastien acknowledge the hard work and cooperation between the OIC and the OAG to complete the audit of the financial statements. He also presented several highlights and key information in the financial statements.
The financial statements were recommended for approval by the AEC.
Action item:
- Financial Statements will be signed by the Commissioner & CFO
4. Departmental Results Report
Sébastien presented the highlights in the DRR, focusing on the performance indicator results, the number of complaints received & completed in the year, and the reduction of the size of the inventory over the last several years.
Action item:
- DRR will be signed by the Commissioner and sent to the Minister of Justice for his signature
5. OAG Report the Audit & Evaluation Committee
Catherine presented the highlights of the OAG Report the Audit & Evaluation Committee. She thanked the OIC for the collaboration during the audit. She indicated that no misstatements were identified and that once all final procedures are completed, the OAG plans to issue an unmodified auditor's report. The Committee members confirmed they were not aware of any subsequent events that would impact the financial statements.
Action item:
- Final signed financial statements and management representation letter to be provided to the OAG
6. Internal Control Testing Report
Michael presented the results of the internal control testing performed for 2024-25. He indicated that testing was performed over entity level controls and key controls over pay. No controls weaknesses were identified, and several minor observations were shared with the members. André noted that work was planned in 2027-28 for an internal control evaluation on procurement and in 2028-29 for an audit on procurement. He questioned whether these activities could be synchronized. Sébastien agreed with the suggestion.
Action item:
- Update the 3-years OIC's internal financial control testing plan.
7. Risk Based Audit and Evaluation Plan
Michael presented the new Risk Based Audit and Evaluation Plan. He indicated that there are evaluations planned for employee retention and procurement. The Risk Based Audit and Evaluation Plan was approved by the members.
Actions item:
- Risk Based Audit and Evaluation Plan to published on OIC website
8. Corporate Services Update
Sébastien provided an updated on the financial position of the OIC for 2025-26. He also informed members that the OIC had consulted with employees to update the values included in the Strategic Plan and he presented the updated values. There was a discussion of the steps taken by the OIC to comply with the spirit of the Comprehensive Expenditure Review such as absorbing a funding shortfall related to collective agreements and reducing the OIC's office space.
Action item:
- None
9. Investigations Update
Allison presented interim statistics for Investigation Sector for 2025-26. She also highlighted the OIC's ability to continue to reduce the size of the number of complaints in the inventory and indicated the OIC is well on its way to achieving the goal of having a contemporary inventory which is much more efficient for all stakeholders.
Action item:
- None
10. Legal Services Update
Marie-Josée highlighted the significant increase in the volume of litigation over the last several years. The Commissioner also explained the use of mandamus to enforce the Commissioner's orders.
Action item:
- None
11. Public Affairs Update
James summarized the work performed by the Public Affairs team over the summer and the activities planned for the fall. He also indicated that the Commissioner appearance before the ETHI Committee had resulted in news articles and discussions on social media.
Action item:
- None
In Camera Session
An in-camera session was held
Next Meeting
The next meeting is scheduled for November 25, 2025.