2006 May Status Report of the Auditor General of Canada

1. Reducing costs and improving management, by moving the National Weapons Enforcement Support Team (NWEST) to the National Police Services administered by the RCMP, to align enforcement operations; streamlining headquarter functions and consolidating processing sites; creating a continuous improvement plan to generate ongoing program efficiencies; establishing national work performance measurements and cost standards; and limiting computer system changes to projects that improve the efficiency of the program.

• NWEST was transferred to RCMP by April 2003.
• Québec and Miramachi processing sites were consolidated by March 2004.
• Continuous improvement plan was established. In 2005, the Centre reports over 50 elements completed, and 36 awaiting completion.
• National work performance measures were established but are not relevant to operations. Refer to paragraph 4.43.
• Limited changes to computer system pending development and delivery of new system.

2. Improving service to the public, by extending free Internet registration and making it more easily accessible and reliable; ensuring clients can easily access 1-800 telephone information services; processing properly completed registration applications within 30 days of receipt; and implementing a targeted outreach program to help firearm owners fulfill licensing and registration requirements.

• The Centre reports that 65 percent of registration applications from individuals were submitted on-line in 2004–05.
• No telephone service levels were established. Refer to paragraph 4.45.
• 73 percent of properly completed registration applications were processed within 30 days of receipt. Refer to paragraph 4.49.

3. Seeking input from parliamentarians, stakeholders, and the public, by holding consultations in spring 2003 on how to improve the design and delivery of the gun control program, and creating a Program Advisory Committee of experienced individuals external to government to provide ongoing advice on cost reductions, quality of service, and the continuous improvement plan.

• Public consultations were held and results were reported on in August 2004.
• Advisory Committee was established in June 2003 and is meeting regularly.

4. Strengthening accountability and transparency, by reporting to Parliament full program costs across government; tabling an annual report to Parliament that provides full financial and performance information on the gun control program; hiring a Comptroller, who would be responsible for resource management, risk analysis, data integrity and reporting; and creating an annual audit and evaluation plan for all major program components, which would operate on a three-year cycle with the first report on results in 2005.

• Improvement in reporting full costs was noted, but clearer reporting is necessary. Refer to paragraphs 4.11 to 4.20 and 4.30 to 4.49.
• Chief Financial Officer was appointed in 2003. Internal audit and evaluation plan was established. First departmental audit report was published in 2005 and is available to the public.