Info Source: Sources of Federal Government and Employee Information

Table of Contents

General Information

Responsibilities

Institutional Functions, Programs and Activities

Additional Information

 

General Information

Introduction to Info Source

Info Source: Sources of Federal Government and Employee Information provides information about the functions, programs, activities and related information holdings of government institutions subject to the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act. It provides individuals and employees of the government (current and former) with relevant information to access personal information about themselves held by government institutions subject to the Privacy Act and to exercise their rights under the Privacy Act.

The Introduction and an index of institutions subject to the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act are available centrally.

The Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act assign overall responsibility to the President of Treasury Board (as the designated Minister) for the government-wide administration of the legislation.

Background

The Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, created by an Act of Parliament in 1984, is an independent, not-for-profit think-tank on Canada's relations with Asia. The Foundation functions as a knowledge broker, bringing together people and knowledge to provide current and comprehensive research, analysis and information on Canada's transpacific relations. It promotes dialogue on economic, security, political and social issues, helping to influence public policy and foster informed decision-making in the Canadian public, private and non-governmental sectors. The structure and activities of the Foundation are governed by the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada Act. The Foundation reports to Parliament through the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Responsibilities

The Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada undertakes strategic research on Canada's economic, political and social relations with Asia Pacific, using both in-house resources and by funding outside researchers though a competitive Grants Program. The goal is to provide guidance on Asia Pacific topics for business and governments, and to enhance the links among the policy, business and research communities in areas relating to Canada's ties with Asia Pacific.

The Foundation is the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Study Centre in Canada, promoting collaborative research and disseminating information and analysis on the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum and on priority issues for Canada's involvement in the regional forum. The Foundation also acts as the secretariat for two multilateral Asia Pacific organizations of which Canada is a member – the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council and the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Business Advisory Council.

 

Institutional Functions, Programs and Activities

Forum for Discussion - Disseminating knowledge and raising public awareness through roundtables, panel discussions and speaking engagements.

The Foundation organizes roundtables, workshops and panel discussions on contemporary Canada-Asia topics which focus on foreign relations, trade and investment, business and public policy concerns. Speakers and panelists featured at these events are well-regarded industry practitioners, senior government officials and researchers who speak with authority regarding ground-level developments in their field.

The majority of events are held at the Foundation’s offices in Vancouver but similar events are regularly hosted with Foundation partners in Ottawa, Toronto and Montreal. Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada staff including the Foundation’s President, research directors and Senior Fellows, also travel within Canada and abroad to deliver presentations and speeches on contemporary issues.

Forum for Discussion - Organization of Roundtables, Workshops and Panel Discussions on Contemporary Canada-Asia Topics
Description: Records and information pertaining to the Foundation’s activities as they relate to knowledge dissemination and raising of public awareness through roundtables, panel discussions and speaking engagements.
Document Types: Reservations for venues, contracts, lists of invited guests, meeting agendas, summaries of discussions, research and reference material and statistical information, travel arrangements. Background/introductory information about guest speakers and key introductory speeches and notes. Reports, plans for action and resolutions resulting from the roundtables, workshops and panel discussions on contemporary Canada-Asia topics, accounts and minutes of meetings and other initiatives, including personal notes of the attendees that may be shared with the Foundation, time tables and follow-up documents.
Record Number: APFC 600.

 

Research and Analysis - Promoting informed discussion on Canada-Asia relations through research reports, publications and opinion editorials.

Research reports, publications and opinion editorials are one of the Foundation’s key outputs. They range from in-depth policy analysis to unique statistical reports and surveys written or coordinated by the Foundation’s research staff and partners. They are publicly available resources that can be accessed at no-cost through the Foundation’s website at www.asiapacific.ca.

Research and Analysis - Promoting informed discussion on Canada-Asia relations through research reports, publications and opinion editorials.
Description: Records and information pertaining to the Foundation’s activities as they relate to research reports, publications and opinion editorials.
Document Types: Research documents and reference materials, lists of information sources, list of research staff, research partners and other contributors, contracts and statements of work, correspondence, research reports, publications, policy analysis, statistical reports and surveys written or coordinated by the Foundation’s research staff and partners and correspondence pertaining to those reports and publications, opinion editorials and correspondence related to those editorials.
Record Number: APFC 700. 


Special Research Projects - Identifying and filling knowledge gaps on issues affecting Canada-Asia Relations.

As the only think-tank in Canada focused on expanding and deepening Canada-Asia relations, the Foundation’s foremost mission is to identify knowledge and information gaps related to government and industry decision-making on Asia. Its subsequent priority is to lead policy research projects and studies to inform the public debate. To this end, the Foundation has engaged in a number of long-term projects with national and international partners. Special Research Projects have included: Canada-China Human Capital Dialogue, The National Conversation on Asia, and Asia Pacific Gateway.

Special Research Projects - Supporting Documentation
Description: Records and information pertaining to the Foundation’s activities as they relate to the identification and the filling of knowledge gaps on issues affecting Canada-Asia Relations.
Document Types: Correspondence, agreements with the members of the research consortium.
Record Number: APFC 800.1.


Track Two Diplomacy - Supporting government-to-government processes to encourage and pave the way for new strategic developments. The Foundation organizes and coordinates Track Two events in Canada.

Track Two Diplomacy - Supporting Documentation
Description: Records and information pertaining to the Foundation’s activities that support government-to-government processes to encourage and pave the way for new strategic developments. Also includes Track Two events and off-the-record roundtable discussion initiatives.
Document Types: Correspondence, documents pertaining to the organization of conferences and meetings, contribution agreements, reservations for venues, contracts, lists of invited guests and attendees, meeting agendas, research and reference material, and travel arrangements.
Record Number: APFC 900.

 

Grants and Fellowships Program - Providing new-generation researchers and journalists with the opportunity to engage in policy research and media coverage of Asia.

The Foundation supports Canadian policy research on Asia through its grants program. The competitive grants program offers financial support to researchers and industry practitioners who are studying an issue of contemporary policy relevance to the Canada-Asia relationship. Areas of research include science and technology policies, Asian regionalism, bilateral relations, two-way investment, and security frameworks. The Foundation also welcomes three recent Masters or PhD graduates to work and conduct research in Vancouver as Post-Graduate Research Fellows for a term of one year. Media fellowships are also offered to Canadian journalists to travel to Asia to cover a specific story or stories and to conduct some outreach on the topic upon their return to Canada. For more information on the grants and fellowships program visit: www.asiapacific.ca/grants

 

Post-Graduate Research Fellowships Program
The Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada is committed to fostering the next generation of Asia Pacific researchers and analysts. To this end, it offers up to three Post-Graduate Research Fellowships for a one-year non-renewable term. Successful applicants will have a background in Asia-related research in a variety of fields, including (but not limited to) social sciences, humanities, business, education and natural sciences.

Post-Graduate Research Fellowship Program- Supporting Documentation
Description: Records and information pertaining to the Foundation’s activities that aim to provide new-generation researchers with the opportunity to engage in policy research.
Document Types: Correspondence, descriptions of research projects, meeting agendas, summaries of discussions, research and reference material, travel arrangements, program outline, application files, contracts, activity reports, and payments.
Record Number: APFC 1000.1.

Distinguished Fellowships Program
Each year the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada appoints a number of Distinguished Fellows to the roster of experts who are associated with the Foundation’s work. Typically, individuals who have made significant contributions to Canada-Asia relations in one of the following areas are selected: scholarship, public policy, business, diplomacy, arts and culture, and civil society. In addition to recognizing the recipient’s accomplishments, Distinguished Fellowships also provide an opportunity for the Foundation to engage with experts on areas of special interest.

Distinguished Fellowship Program - Supporting Documentation
Description: Records and information pertaining to the administration of the Distinguished Fellowships Program.
Document Types: Correspondence, descriptions of research projects, summaries of discussions, research and reference material, contracts, travel arrangements and payments.
Record Number: APFC 1000.2.

Media Fellowships Program
The Media Fellowship Program of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada offers up-and-coming and established journalists the opportunity to spend time in Asia, researching and preparing stories. The program aims to help Canadian journalists to become better informed about this dynamic part of the world in order to write and broadcast insightfully on Asia and the Canada-Asia relationship. All grants are awarded on a competitive basis.

Media Fellowship Program - Supporting Documentation
Description: Records and information pertaining to the administration of the Media Fellowships Program.
Document Types: Correspondence, descriptions of projects, summaries of discussions, travel arrangements, program outline application files, contracts, activity reports, and payments.
Record Number: APFC 1000.3.

 

Networks - APF Canada manages or is the secretariat for three transpacific organizations that bring together, in different combinations, government, business, and academia. These are the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC), the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) and the APEC Study Centre.

Affiliations
Description: Providing managerial and secretariat services for the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC), the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) and the APEC Study Centre
Document Types: Correspondence, meeting agendas, summaries of discussions, administrative and operational records pertaining to the three organizations, agreements and contracts, travel arrangements, activity reports, and payments.
Record Number: APFC 1100.

 

Sponsorships and Donations - The Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada receives support from an endowment from the Government of Canada and through sponsorship of its research and outreach programs. In addition, individual and corporate donations are welcome to support the Foundation’s activities. The Foundation is a registered charity and can accept tax-deductible donations according to the Income Tax Act. Donations support the on-going programs of the Foundation but can also be designated to support current research projects, activities and fellowships.

Sponsorship and Donations - Supporting Documentation
Description: Records and information pertaining to the canvassing and the administration of sponsorships and donations by governments, individuals and private organizations.
Document Types: Correspondence, meeting agendas, summaries of discussions, accounts of financial transactions related to sponsorships and donations, and activity reports.
Record Number: APFC 1200

 

Internal Services

Internal services constitute groups of related activities and resources that are administered to support the needs of programs and other corporate obligations of an organization. These groups are management and oversight services, communications services, legal services, human resources management services, financial management services, information management services, information technology services, real property services, materiel services, acquisition services, and travel and other administrative services. Internal services include only those activities and resources that apply across an organization and not to those provided specifically to a program.

Acquisition Services

Acquisition services involve activities undertaken to acquire a good or service to fulfill a properly completed request (including a complete and accurate definition of requirements and certification that funds are available) until entering into or amending a contract.

Procurement and Contracting Class of Record

    Professional Services Contracts Personal Information Bank

Communications Services

Communications services involve activities undertaken to ensure that Government of Canada communications are effectively managed, well coordinated and responsive to the diverse information needs of the public. The communications management function ensures that the public—internal or external—receives government information, and that the views and concerns of the public are taken into account in the planning, management and evaluation of policies, programs, services and initiatives.

Communications Class of Record

     Internal Communications Personal Information Bank

     Public Communications Personal Information Bank

Financial Management Services

Financial management services involve activities undertaken to ensure the prudent use of public resources, including planning, budgeting, accounting, reporting, control and oversight, analysis, decision support and advice, and financial systems.

Financial Management Class of Record

Human Resources Management Services

Human resources management services involve activities undertaken for determining strategic direction, allocating resources among services and processes, as well as activities relating to analyzing exposure to risk and determining appropriate countermeasures. They ensure that the service operations and programs of the federal government comply with applicable laws, regulations, policies and plans.

Classification of Positions Class of Record

     Staffing Personal Information Bank

Compensation and Benefits Class of Record

     Attendance and Leave Personal Information Bank

     Pay and Benefits Personal Information Bank

Hospitality Class of Record

     Hospitality Personal Information Bank

Human Resources Planning Class of Record    

Labour Relations Class of Record

     Discipline Personal Information Bank

     Grievances Personal Information Bank

     Harassment Personal Information Bank

Occupational Health and Safety Class of Record

     Employee Assistance Personal Information Bank

     Harassment Personal Information Bank

     Occupational Health and Safety Personal Information Bank

Official Languages Class of Record

     Official Languages Personal Information Bank

Performance Management Reviews Class of Record

     Discipline Personal Information Bank

     Performance Management Reviews Personal Information Bank

Recruitment and Staffing Class of Record

     Applications for Employment Personal Information Bank

     Employee Personnel Record Personal Information Bank

     Personnel Security Screening Personal Information Bank

     Staffing Personal Information Bank

Training and Development Class of Record

     Training and Development Personal Information Bank

Information Management Services

Information management services involve activities undertaken to achieve efficient and effective information management to support program and service delivery; foster informed decision making; facilitate accountability, transparency and collaboration; and preserve and ensure access to information and records for the benefit of present and future generations.

Access to Information and Privacy Class of Record

    Access to Information and Privacy Requests Personal Information Bank

Information Management Class of Record

Information Technology Services

Information technology services involve activities undertaken to achieve efficient and effective use of information technology to support government priorities and program delivery, to increase productivity, and to enhance services to the public.

Information Technology Class of Record

Legal Services

Legal services involve activities undertaken to enable government departments and agencies to pursue policy, program and service delivery priorities and objectives within a legally sound framework.

Legal Services Class of Record

Management and Oversight Services

Management and oversight services involve activities undertaken for determining strategic direction and allocating resources among services and processes, as well as those activities related to analyzing exposure to risk and determining appropriate countermeasures. They ensure that the service operations and programs of the federal government comply with applicable laws, regulations, policies or plans.

Cooperation and Liaison Class of Record

Executive Services Class of Record

    Executive Correspondence Personal Information Bank

Internal Audit and Evaluation Class of Record

Planning and Reporting Class of Record

Materiel Services

Materiel services involve activities undertaken to ensure that materiel can be managed by departments in a sustainable and financially responsible manner that supports the cost-effective and efficient delivery of government programs.

Materiel Management Class of Record

Real Property Services

Real property services involve activities undertaken to ensure that real property is managed in a sustainable and financially responsible manner, throughout its life cycle, to support the cost-effective and efficient delivery of government programs.

Real Property Management Class of Record

Travel and Other Administrative Services

Travel and other administrative services include Government of Canada travel services, as well as those other internal services that do not smoothly fit with any of the internal services categories.

Administrative Services Class of Record

    Parking Personal Information Bank

Boards, Committees and Council Class of Record

    Governor in Council Appointments Personal Information Bank

    Members of Boards, Committees and Councils Personal Information Bank

Proactive Disclosure Class of Record

    Hospitality Personal Information Bank

    Travel Personal Information Bank

Security Class of Record

    Identification and Building-Pass Cards Personal Information Bank

    Personnel Security Screening Personal Information Bank

Travel Class of Record

    Travel Personal Information Bank


Manuals

AFPC has no manuals used by employees when carrying out programs or activities that affect the general public.

 

Additional Information

The Government of Canada encourages the release of information through requests outside of the ATIP process. You may wish to consult The Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada’s completed Access to Information (ATI) summaries. To make an informal request, contact:

Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada
680-1066 West Hastings St.,
Vancouver, BC
Canada, V6E 3X2
604-684-5986
www.asiapacific.ca

The Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada conducts Privacy Impact Assessments (PIAs) to ensure that privacy implications will be appropriately identified, assessed and resolved before a new or substantially modified program or activity involving personal information is implemented. Summaries of completed PIAs are available.

Please see the Introduction to this publication for information on formal access procedures under the provisions of the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act. The following outlines how to make a formal ATIP request.

Mail your letter or Access to Information Request Form (Access to Information Act) or Personal Information Request Form (Privacy Act), along with any necessary documents (such as consent or the $5.00 application fee for a request under the Access to Information Act) to the following address:

ATIP Coordinator
Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada
680-1066 West Hastings St.,
Vancouver, BC
Canada, V6E 3X2

Please note: Each request made to the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada under the Access to Information Act must be accompanied by an application fee of $5.00, cheque or money order made payable to the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada.