Briefing Note Titles List
Why must we disclose briefing note titles list?
The Government of Canada has implemented a series of measures to strengthen public sector management and increase transparency by proactively publishing certain information by the Senate, the House of Commons, parliamentary entities, ministers' offices, government institutions and institutions that support superior courts. As such, subsections 74 (a) and 88 (b) of the Access to Information Act will require all Departments to proactively publish all briefing note (BN) lists prepared for Ministers or Deputy Heads.
ESDC produces approximately 120 to 150 BNs per month.
Who is responsible for reporting?
Currently, the Corporate Secretariat is responsible for publishing BN titles list.
What information should be disclosed?
All briefing material prepared on a formal BN template received by the following four Ministers and four DMs offices:
- Minister of Families, Children and Social Development
- Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour
- Minister of Seniors
- Minister of Public Services & Procurement and Accessibility
- Deputy Minister of Employment and Social Development
- Deputy Minister of Labour
- Senior Associate Deputy Minister of Employment and Social Development & Chief Operating Officer
- Associate Deputy Minister of Employment and Social Development
BNs are short, well-structured documents that quickly and effectively inform a decision-maker about an issue. All BNs sent to Ministers and Deputy Heads will be captured on the monthly list in the following format: Briefing note number, titles in both official languages, originating sector, addressee, date received, action required, and additional information. Writers are responsible for drafting BNs that include bilingual titles.
Please note that even if BN lists are releasable by design, a limited portion of the information contained within them may be withheld as per the Access to Information Act. Specifically, material relating to personal information, Canada's economic interests and Cabinet confidences will continue to be withheld.
When is the reporting period?
BN title lists must be published within 30 days, after the end of the month in which any memorandum prepared is received by the Ministers' and Deputy Heads' offices. When the publication deadline falls on a statutory holiday or weekend, the publication deadline is the first business day following the statutory holiday or weekend.
| Publication Period | Deadline for Publication |
|---|---|
| P1 (April 1 - April 30) | May 30 |
| P2 (May 1 - May 31) | June 30 |
| P3 (June 1 - June 30) | July 30 |
| P4 (July 1 - July 31) | August 30 |
| P5 (August 1 - August 31) | September 30 |
| P6 (September 1 - September 30) | October 30 |
| P7 (October 1 - October 31) | November 30 |
| P8 (November 1 - November 30) | December 30 |
| P9 (December 1 - December 31) | January 30 |
| P10 (January 1 - January 31) | March 2 (March 1 on a Leap Year) |
| P11 (February 1 - February 28/29) | March 30 |
| P12 (March 1 - March 31) | April 30 |
For questions related to this process, do not hesitate to contact the Access to Information Act Implementation Working Group (ATIAIWG): NC-CS-SM-ATIAIWG-GTMALAI-GD@hrdc-drhc.net.