ARCHIVED - NRC Departmental Audit Committee

Overview

Departmental audit committees (DACs) are an integral part of the Government of Canada's efforts to ensure the rigorous stewardship and accountability of public funds across its operations.

Deputy heads of large departments are required to establish an independent departmental audit committee that includes a majority of external members who have been recruited from outside the federal public administration. DACs report directly to deputy heads of federal departments. The Treasury Board Policy on Internal Audit and Directive on Internal Audit provide that a deputy head and the Comptroller General of Canada jointly select external audit committee members for approval by the Treasury Board. Appointments are for a term of up to 4 years and are renewable once.

DAC members are seasoned professionals who have high‑level business management skills and experience with complex organizations.

Mandate and areas of responsibility

The DAC is a strategic resource for the NRC's President. It provides objective advice and recommendations to the President regarding the sufficiency, quality and results of assurance on the adequacy and functioning of the department's risk management, control and governance frameworks and processes (including accountability and auditing systems). The President can use this information to enhance accountability, transparency and the overall performance of their departments.

The key areas of responsibility of DAC members are as follows:

• Values and ethics
• Risk management
• Management control frameworks
• Internal audit function
• External assurance providers
• Follow‑up on management action plans
• Financial statements and Public Accounts of Canada reporting
• Accountability reporting

The NRC'S DAC

The NRC's DAC is composed of up to four members, and is intended to reflect Canada's diversity in terms of gender, official languages, Indigenous Canadians, minority groups and regional representation. At least 2 members must be external to the federal public service, and a maximum of one member may be on the NRC Council. NRC's President is an ex officio and a non‑voting member of the Committee. The Chief Audit Executive (CAE) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) are also expected to attend all Audit Committee meetings.

The current members of the NRC's DAC are:

• Richard Dicerni (Chair) – Former positions include Deputy Minister, Alberta Executive Council, Head of the Alberta Public Service and Deputy Minister of Industry.
• Jeanette Dias D'Souza – Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA); currently the VP Corporate Services and CFO for the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research and former Assistant Deputy Minister with the Ontario government.
• Raymond Leduc – Former NRC Council member (2009‑2018); other former positions include Vice President, Product Development, Volvo Group and President, Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited.

There is currently no representative from Council on the DAC.

Typically 3 in‑person meetings and at least one video or teleconference meeting are held each year. Additional meetings are convened when required.

DAC Reports to Council

The Terms of Reference for the NRC's DAC require that Council be kept informed of DAC activities by written reports prepared by (or on behalf of) the Chair summarizing each Committee meeting and its activities. NRC's President will also respond to questions about DAC posed at Council meetings.