Legislation sets foundation and rationale for the department, includes harmonized code on department's disclosure of personal information
The federal government has tabled legislation that will govern the Human Resources and Skills Development Canada.
On Dec. 12, 2003, Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC) was split into two new departments: Social Development Canada (SDC) and Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC). Both departments are currently governed by the Department of Human Resources Development Act.
Joe Volpe, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, tabled the legislation in the House of Commons on Nov. 16. The new legislation, the Human Resources and Skills Development Act, contains the mandate of the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and the Minister of Labour and Housing.
The mandate is included in the act to provide a foundation and rationale for the department’s program, the government said. And, for the first time, the legislation includes a proposed harmonized code governing the disclosure of personal information.
The government said the new code:
•provides more consistency in administering personal information than is currently the case, given the various statutory and regulatory provisions governing the disclosure of personal information;
•provides a greater degree of transparency for Canadians resulting from this harmonization;
•codifies the current rigorous administrative practices to protect personal information used for research purposes; and
•includes an offence provision for knowingly disclosing personal information.
The code also describes departmental commitments to protect the privacy of Canadians, including both the use of personal information for internal research and the conditions for disclosure of personal information outside the department.
Backgrounder
The federal government published the following backgrounder on the new legislation:
On Dec. 12, 2003, by means of a series of Orders in Council made pursuant to the Public Service Rearrangement and Transfer of Duties Act, various portions of the Department of Human Resources Development and related powers, and duties and functions of the Minister of Human Resources Development, were transferred to the new Department of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) and to a new Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development.
Departmental legislation is now required to address the new mandates and responsibilities of Social Development Canada (SDC) and Human Resources and Skills Development Canada.
The drafting of the Department of Human Resources and Skills Development legislation provides the opportunity to ensure that the Minister and the Department have the legal powers and tools needed to fulfill the Minister’s mandate. HRSDC is working closely with officials from SDC on legislative issues of mutual interest.
The proposed legislation includes a harmonized code governing the disclosure of personal information. This new code will replace the current five statutory and regulatory regimes that govern the disclosure of personal information. This new code:
•provides more consistency in administering personal information than is currently the case, given the various statutory and regulatory provisions governing the disclosure of personal information;
•provides a greater degree of transparency for Canadians resulting from this harmonization;
•codifies the current rigorous administrative practices to protect personal information used for research purposes; and
•includes an offence provision for knowingly disclosing personal information.
The code also describes departmental commitments to protect the privacy of Canadians, including both the use of personal information for internal research and the conditions for disclosure of personal information outside the Department.
The Government of Canada remains committed to improving the social and economic well-being of all Canadians—including the most disadvantaged—and will continue to deliver accountable and efficient policies and programs.
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada plays a key role in meeting these commitments through its efforts to help Canadians acquire skills to get productive and meaningful jobs, enhance access to a post-secondary education, promote skills development, and promote a culture of lifelong learning. These efforts will result in a better quality of life for all Canadians.
The Labour and Housing program will continue to promote safe, healthy, stable, and cooperative workplaces, and will continue its efforts to help communities reduce homelessness.
The legislation will provide the framework to ensure that the Government of Canada continues to make Canadians the best trained and most highly skilled workers in the world.
On Dec. 12, 2003, Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC) was split into two new departments: Social Development Canada (SDC) and Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC). Both departments are currently governed by the Department of Human Resources Development Act.
Joe Volpe, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, tabled the legislation in the House of Commons on Nov. 16. The new legislation, the Human Resources and Skills Development Act, contains the mandate of the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and the Minister of Labour and Housing.
The mandate is included in the act to provide a foundation and rationale for the department’s program, the government said. And, for the first time, the legislation includes a proposed harmonized code governing the disclosure of personal information.
The government said the new code:
•provides more consistency in administering personal information than is currently the case, given the various statutory and regulatory provisions governing the disclosure of personal information;
•provides a greater degree of transparency for Canadians resulting from this harmonization;
•codifies the current rigorous administrative practices to protect personal information used for research purposes; and
•includes an offence provision for knowingly disclosing personal information.
The code also describes departmental commitments to protect the privacy of Canadians, including both the use of personal information for internal research and the conditions for disclosure of personal information outside the department.
Backgrounder
The federal government published the following backgrounder on the new legislation:
On Dec. 12, 2003, by means of a series of Orders in Council made pursuant to the Public Service Rearrangement and Transfer of Duties Act, various portions of the Department of Human Resources Development and related powers, and duties and functions of the Minister of Human Resources Development, were transferred to the new Department of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) and to a new Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development.
Departmental legislation is now required to address the new mandates and responsibilities of Social Development Canada (SDC) and Human Resources and Skills Development Canada.
The drafting of the Department of Human Resources and Skills Development legislation provides the opportunity to ensure that the Minister and the Department have the legal powers and tools needed to fulfill the Minister’s mandate. HRSDC is working closely with officials from SDC on legislative issues of mutual interest.
The proposed legislation includes a harmonized code governing the disclosure of personal information. This new code will replace the current five statutory and regulatory regimes that govern the disclosure of personal information. This new code:
•provides more consistency in administering personal information than is currently the case, given the various statutory and regulatory provisions governing the disclosure of personal information;
•provides a greater degree of transparency for Canadians resulting from this harmonization;
•codifies the current rigorous administrative practices to protect personal information used for research purposes; and
•includes an offence provision for knowingly disclosing personal information.
The code also describes departmental commitments to protect the privacy of Canadians, including both the use of personal information for internal research and the conditions for disclosure of personal information outside the Department.
The Government of Canada remains committed to improving the social and economic well-being of all Canadians—including the most disadvantaged—and will continue to deliver accountable and efficient policies and programs.
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada plays a key role in meeting these commitments through its efforts to help Canadians acquire skills to get productive and meaningful jobs, enhance access to a post-secondary education, promote skills development, and promote a culture of lifelong learning. These efforts will result in a better quality of life for all Canadians.
The Labour and Housing program will continue to promote safe, healthy, stable, and cooperative workplaces, and will continue its efforts to help communities reduce homelessness.
The legislation will provide the framework to ensure that the Government of Canada continues to make Canadians the best trained and most highly skilled workers in the world.
