Delegated Authorities and Delegation Instruments

Human Resources Delegation Authorities

Lead Directorate: Human Resources Directorate

Two mandatory instruments signed by the Commissioner set out the levels of accountability and delegation of authority related to people management actions.
- The first instrument sets out the sub-delegated appointment authorities under the Public Service Employment Act and the Public Service Commission (PSC) Appointment Framework.
- The second instrument sets out the delegations of authority for all people management actions except those related to staffing.

In response to new PSC requirements, the OPC’s instrument of sub‑delegation of staffing authorities was reviewed and updated in March 2022.
The instrument of delegation of human resources authorities was updated in December 2020. This review was required to ensure compliance with the new Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS) Policy on People Management and its 22 directives.
With the coming into force of the TBS Policy on People Management on April 1, 2021, deputy heads must designate an executive responsible and accountable for the following roles:
1. Human Resources Departmental Head
2. Senior Official for Prevention and Resolution of Workplace Harassment and Violence
3. Senior Official for Prevention and Resolution of Conflict of Interest and Conflict of Duties Situations
4. Senior Official for Deciding and Responding to Classification Grievances
5. Senior Official for Employment Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Commissioner Therrien has assigned these five major roles to the HR Director.

According to the instruments of delegation of human resources authorities in effect, some people management actions are exclusive to the level of the Commissioner.
In general, decision‑making for sub‑delegation of authorities is delegated to the director level. This is due mainly to financial delegation at the OPC.

Lead Directorate: Finance & Administration Directorate

The Delegation of Spending and Financial Signing Authorities Chart (the Delegation Instrument) is the official instrument used by the Minister responsible for the Office of the Privacy Commissioner Officer (OPC) and the OPC Commissioner to delegate financial signing authorities to departmental officials. It satisfies the requirement of the TBS Directive on Delegation of Spending and Financial Authorities.

The current chart was approved by the Minister of Justice in April 2019. According to the TBS Directive on Delegation of Spending and Financial Authorities, the existing delegation chart must be presented to new deputy heads for information purposes within 30 calendar days of their appointment.

The Finance & Administration Directorate will provide the Commissioner with a briefing session very shortly after assuming the position. The Commissioner will be asked to review the OPC Delegation of Spending and Financial Signing Authorities Chart.
- If no changes are required, no further action.
- If significant changes are required that impact the management of spending and financial authorities, it may be amended and will require the approval of the Minister of Justice.
The Finance & Administration Directorate will also seek signatures from the Commissioner and the OPC’s Chief Financial Officer on the financial authority’s specimen card, for the position of Commissioner and Deputy Head.