Close X
Friday, November 29, 2024
ADVT 
National

B.C. Deletes Premier's Award Nomination For Troubled Computer System

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 02 Apr, 2015 02:37 PM

    VICTORIA — A troubled government computer system criticized by British Columbia's auditor general for being incomplete and not meeting expectations has been deleted from the shortlist of a civil-service award.

    The $182-million Integrated Case Management system was designed to improve service delivery for the province's most vulnerable children and families, but Auditor General Carol Bellringer said this week it's one-third complete, has been prone to crashes and operates in conjunction with costly, outdated computer equipment.

    The project was nominated last fall for the annual Premier's Awards of Innovation and Excellence.

    The government's Public Service Agency confirmed in a statement issued Wednesday the computer system did not make the final cut for the award ceremony scheduled for later this month.

    "Every year there are far more nominations than can be recognized in the award process," said the statement.

    "This year there were 143 nominations for approximately 20 awards at the regional and provincial levels. Over 120 of this year's nominations will not be selected for awards."

    Nominations go through a two-part judging process that includes evaluations by a panel of independent, external adjudicators, said the statement.

    The statement said the adjudicators and judges are government, business and community leaders and volunteer their time.

    The statement did not say if Bellringer's audit played a part in the project being left off the short list.

    Bellringer's audit concluded the province spent seven years and $182 million trying to modernize aging computer systems but failed to replace two thirds of the old system.

    The audit concluded the computer system did not adequately protect sensitive personal information.

    It made eight recommendations, including regular monitoring of the system for inappropriate access and activity and preparing full accounting of its capital and operating costs.

    At a news conference earlier this week, Bellringer said she only recently became aware the project was nominated for a civil-service award.

    Social Development Minister Michelle Stilwell said the computer system is providing services to 200,000 clients, and the audit’s eight recommendations are already in place.

    Stilwell said the ministry will continue to work towards replacing the remaining older systems with the ICM model.

    The ICM project dates back to 2008 and was meant to replace outdated computer systems used to deliver social programs, including child protection, child-care subsidies and income assistance.

    The system crashed regularly last May and frustrated staff, but the government said it was still able to meet the needs of social-services' clients.

    Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, B.C.’s independent representative for children and youth, has raised concerns about the system in the past, saying vulnerable people could be at risk because information for social agencies and police is not being properly processed.

    A July 2012 report by Turpel-Lafond prompted the Ministry for Children and Family Development to admit its computer program needed fixing.

    Opposition New Democrat social development critic Michelle Mungall said the system remains an ongoing government failure. 

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Some Major Events In The History Of Future Shop

    Some Major Events In The History Of Future Shop
    Future Shop closed its Canadian stores on Saturday. Here is a list of major events in the history of the retail chain.

    Some Major Events In The History Of Future Shop

    Study Uncovers Why Students At Canadian Private High Schools Enjoy Academic Edge

    Study Uncovers Why Students At Canadian Private High Schools Enjoy Academic Edge
    TORONTO — Students attending private high schools do better academically than their public schools counterparts because of socio-economic factors and peers who tend to have university-educated parents, according to a Statistics Canada study released Tuesday.

    Study Uncovers Why Students At Canadian Private High Schools Enjoy Academic Edge

    Conservatives Studying Anti-terrorism Bill Reject Opposition Changes

    Conservatives Studying Anti-terrorism Bill Reject Opposition Changes
    OTTAWA — The Conservatives have used their majority on the House of Commons public safety committee to vote down the first wave of opposition amendments to the federal anti-terrorism bill.

    Conservatives Studying Anti-terrorism Bill Reject Opposition Changes

    Ontario's Deficit Now At $10.9 Billion, Lower Than Projected $12.5 Billion: Sousa

    The revised deficit figure, announced Tuesday by Finance Minister Charles Sousa, is lower than the previously projected $12.5 billion, but critics and opposition leaders remain skeptical about the Liberal government's ability to balance the books in two years, as promised.

    Ontario's Deficit Now At $10.9 Billion, Lower Than Projected $12.5 Billion: Sousa

    Medical Community Skeptical About Ontario's Move To Regulate Homeopaths

    Medical Community Skeptical About Ontario's Move To Regulate Homeopaths
    TORONTO — Ontario's move to regulate the field of homeopathy in a way similar to how it governs doctors and nurses, making it the first province to do so, is being greeted with skepticism from some in the medical and scientific community.

    Medical Community Skeptical About Ontario's Move To Regulate Homeopaths

    Wallin Expensed Private, Business Trips To Toronto And Guelph, RCMP Alleges

    Wallin Expensed Private, Business Trips To Toronto And Guelph, RCMP Alleges
    OTTAWA — The RCMP has filed new documents in court alleging Pamela Wallin submitted 21 travel expense claims to the Senate for reimbursement for private and business trips to Toronto and Guelph.

    Wallin Expensed Private, Business Trips To Toronto And Guelph, RCMP Alleges