2018-19 Key risks: things that could affect our ability to achieve our plans and results

The Department has a well-defined governance structure with effective risk management practices to address challenges that could keep it from achieving desired outcomes. Key to these risk practices are risk assessments and risk mitigation plans at the corporate, sector, region, program and project level. At the corporate level, the Corporate Risk Profile (CRP) is the primary means of assessing and responding to corporate risks that could keep the Department from carrying out its mandate. Indigenous Services Canada will update its CRP each year to ensure risk reduction activities are factored in to its planning processes. In this year additional efforts will be made to identify, assess and respond to transformation risks that will arise from the creation of a new department. The table below outlines Indigenous Services Canada's three most significant external risks (Environmental Risk, Legal Risk, and Indigenous Relationship Risk) and describes the key risk response strategies for each.

Environmental Risk

There is a risk that the Department will be unable to manage environmental issues and liabilities in a timely and cost-effective manner.

Risk response strategy Link to the Department's Core Responsibilities Link to mandate letter(s), government-wide and departmental priorities
This risk will be addressed by:
  • Updating and strengthening existing policies, guidelines, regulations and tools relating to water, wastewater, solid waste, housing, and infrastructure.
  • Ensuring field inspections are carried out, and maintain compliance with regulatory requirements.
  • Identifying options to address the environmental legislative gap on reserves.
  • Reviewing the Environmental Review Process and the environmental assessment and regulatory processes to ensure it respects the rights of Indigenous peoples.
  • Improving waste infrastructure and management on reserve.
  • Continuing to negotiate emergency management Memorandum of Understandings with provinces (assisting communities to cope with increasing numbers/ severity of emergencies as a result of climate change).
  • Implementing renewable energy projects in off-grid Indigenous communities to reduce diesel fuel use.
  • Enhancing Indigenous community resilience through infrastructure planning and emergency management in communities.
  • Supporting continued assessment and remediation of contaminated sites.
  • Developing a new land use planning initiative that will help guide investments in sustainable and green First Nation community infrastructure.
 Community and Regional Development Improve essential infrastructure for Indigenous communities

Amendment of environmental legislation

Legal Risk

There is a risk that the Department will be unable to effectively plan for or respond to legal risks that affect Department operations.

Risk response strategy Link to the Department's Core Responsibilities Link to mandate letter(s), government-wide and departmental priorities
This risk will be addressed by:
  • Resolving litigation using the most appropriate resolution mechanisms (including out-of-court settlements).
  • Monitoring the implementation of legal obligations resulting in increased compliance and reduced litigation.
  • Developing lessons learned based on experiences collecting modern documents. This information will inform procedures both for document retention across the Department and for document collection in the context of litigation.
  • Upgrading document management and electronic processing software to allow for more efficient document processing.
  • Supporting improved forecasting of advisory and litigation services through the development of risk tools.
  • Ensuring the Department is prepared for upcoming decisions through contingency planning.
  • Proactively strengthening litigation awareness through outreach activities to protect the integrity of Departmental program/policy initiatives under development and to potentially prevent future litigation.
  • Appealing decisions to the right level of court to bring more in-depth attention to the issues and clarity of the law.
 Individuals and Families;

Community and Regional Development;

First Nations & Inuit Health		 Review of laws, policies and practices

Identify best models for delivering improved services to Indigenous peoples and improve accountability

Indigenous Relationship Risk

There is a risk that the Department will not renew and sustain strong, productive and respectful relationships with Indigenous peoples, communities, organizations and governments to help fulfill its mandate.

Risk response strategy Link to the Department's Core Responsibilities Link to mandate letter(s), government-wide and departmental priorities
This risk will be addressed by:
  • Ensuring stakeholders are engaged appropriately and have the opportunity to become involved in the implementation of policy and program commitments, including program reforms.
  • Increase support to regional front line officers who lead relationship building with First Nations and Indigenous organizations.
  • Increasing efforts in monitoring and coordinating other government departments’ engagement activities with Indigenous organizations.
  • Implementing a new fiscal relationship addressing key fiscal issues including predictability, sustainability and accountability of funding.
  • Building upon Indigenous engagement through the Health Accord, modernize the continuum of First Nations health services and address program resources, quality and accessibility gaps in an effort to ensure First Nations have access to primary care, health promotion and health protection services.
  • Clarifying governance and accountability relationships.
 Individuals and Families;

Community and Regional Development;

First Nations & Inuit Health		 Review of laws, policies, programs and practices

Enhancing First Nations Child and Family Services

Ensuring First Nation Children on reserve receive a quality education

Fostering Economic Development

Identify best models for delivering improved services and improve accountability

Co-create new and meaningful partnerships

Improve essential infrastructure for Indigenous communities

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