Transition Packages

Why must we disclose the Transition Packages?

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(a) of the Access to Information Act will require all Department to proactively publish all transition material prepared for a new Minister or deputy head.

During the last ministerial transition, ESDC prepared six binders (two prepared by the Ministerial Services Briefing Unit / Corporate Secretariat, two by the Strategic and Service Policy Branch, one by the Income Security and Social Development Branch and one by the Labour Branch).

After improving its business process, ESDC will now prepare two packages: One for Employment and Social Development Canada and another for the Labour Program.

Who is responsible for reporting?

The Corporate Secretariat, Strategic and Service Policy Branch (SSPB) and Labour program are responsible for the content of transition packages. They work collaboratively with the Citizen Service Branch (CSB) to ensure adherence to accessibility guidelines, and with the Innovation Information and Technology Branch (IITB) to publish the transition materials.

What information should be disclosed?

All transition material prepared for a new Minister or deputy head.

Transition materials provide valuable descriptions of the organization, explain the work being done by the Department and showcase how decisions are made.

Please note that even if transition packages 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.

Additionally, based on new guidelines from the government of Canada which make public sector more transparent, transition packages will be published proactively in both official languages, in an accessible format and free from sensitive information.

When is the reporting period?

Transition Packages need to be published within 120 days after the appointment of a new Minister or deputy head. 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.

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