Project 20
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Project Name Audit of Crisis and Emergency Communications – H1N1 |
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Client Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) |
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Duration July to September 2010 [3 months] |
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Project Description |
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The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) was created within the federal Health Portfolio to deliver on the Government of Canada’s commitment to help protect the health and safety of all Canadians and to increase its focus on public health. Events like the Listeriosis, H1N1 outbreaks and the increasing likelihood of wide spread pandemic disease outbreaks due to globalization demonstrated the need for Canada to have a national point of focus for public health issues. Within this context, the Audit Services Division undertook an Audit of Crisis and Emergency Communications. Crisis and Emergency Communication efforts within the Communication Directorate of PHAC were undertaken under overarching guidance provided by the Privy Council Office (PCO) as per Treasury Board Secretariat’s Communications Policy. It should be noted, this audit did not focus on Public Safety Canada (PSC) responsibilities for the application of the Emergencies Management Act and the Federal Emergency Response Plan. |
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Scope and objective |
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Reviewed systems and practices related to crisis and emergency communications against relevant policies, protocols and mandates. Assessed whether crisis and emergency communications activities are effective, efficient, timely fashion. Assessed whether PHAC support services in the delivery of crisis and emergency communications are effective and responsive. |
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Dollar Value |
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Information available withheld with client |
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Contribution of the proposed resource to the project |
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In collaboration with two other senior auditors, collaborated to the following three elements of this mandate through out the conduct phase up to the debriefing session with senior management. Part 1: Interview session : Participated in a series of interviews with key employees involved with the Communication Crisis activities. Developed and implemented interactive audit tools comprised of key elements that support that implementation of the audit plan as per the IIA Standards. These tools were used to consolidate and summarize key strengths, weaknesses and areas for improvement that were identified from each interview session. These tools were used to support weekly progress reports for management of the Audit Service Division and perform the brainstorming session. Part 2: Review stewardship practice : The purpose of the financial review was to assess the effectiveness of the internal controls during the performance of the contractual agreements used the H1N1 crisis. Based on judgemental sample, conducted a review of over 70 contracts and invoices to assess the degree of compliance to PWGSC’s procurement policies and the Financial Administration Act requirements. Part 3: Brainstorming Session – Identify key observations & recommendations : Participated to a series of brainstorming sessions, which identified key observations and developed and summarized key recommendations for senior management. – This mandate is supporting business process transformation and it requires expertise in assessment of organizational role and responsibility. |
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Deliverables |
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Results will be available once the external audit committee has been debriefed and the report has been approved for release on the PHAC’s web site. |
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References: Christian Asselin Chief Audit Executive, Audit Services Division (613) 948-3249 |
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Technological platform leverage during this mandate |
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