ARCHIVED CD 1999-038

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November 26, 1999

SUBJECT: Compensation Sector Year 2000 Project Update

1. PURPOSE

1.1 The purpose of this directive is to provide an update on the ongoing activities of the Year 2000 project for the Compensation Sector Systems of Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC).

1.2 In this text the use of the masculine is generic and applies to both men and women.

2. BACKGROUND

2.1 The Compensation Sector is responsible for six government-wide mission critical systems; Public Service Annuitant, Canadian Forces Annuitant, Judges Annuitant, Regional Pay, Contributor, and Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Pay and Pension. These systems were certified Year 2000 compliant in June 1999.

2.2 Despite the efforts of the Compensation Sector to renovate, validate, and implement their mission critical information systems in preparation for the Year 2000, it remains vulnerable to the disruption of its business processes. Contingency plans have been developed to reduce the consequences and risks of Year 2000 business failures within the Compensation Sector ensuring the continuity of core business functions.

2.3 The Compensation Crisis Response Team was created to develop and test contingency plans to be utilized in the event of a Year 2000 system related failure.

3. INFORMATION/UPDATE

3.1 In December 1999, January 2000 pay cheques and direct deposit tapes will be produced. Print sites have been informed of the preprinting, and the need for the handling, storage, and distribution of these cheques on the specific regular pay dates for pay periods 1 and 2 of 2000. Direct deposit payment tapes will be made available to financial institutions on regular dates. As indicated in the revised October 1999 National Processing Schedule, preprinting/processing will occur on the following dates:

• 7C PP02/2000 cycle 2, Thursday, December 23, 1999
• 7B PP02/2000 cycle 2, Wednesday, December 29, 1999
• 6C PP01/2000 Interim, Thursday, December 23, 1999
• 6C PP01/2000 Net, Wednesday, December 29, 1999

3.2 As a result of the discussion following the Year 2000 update presentation to the National Association of Compensation Managers on October 7, 1999, Positive Time Reporting (7A) accounts for January 2000 will not be produced in December 1999. However, departments should be reminded of the importance of removing inactive 7A accounts from the master to avoid overpayments, as there may be circumstances such as a strike where there may be no other alternative to provide payment than by the formula Assigned Work Week over Standard Work Week (AWW/SWW).

3.3 The interfaces with the financial institutions have been successfully tested to ensure that direct deposit information can be exchanged. In addition, the printing of cheques has been successfully tested. Emergency Cheque Issue is not to be considered by Departments as a contingency to a Direct Funds Transfer (DFT) failure. In the unlikely event that direct deposit information cannot be exchanged, banks will implement their contingency plans.

3.4 In the event of a Regional and/or Departmental Local Area Network (LAN) failure, installed personal computers (PC's) will be available in each office as follows: Montreal (2), Toronto (3), Edmonton (3), Vancouver (2), Halifax (2), Shediac (2), King Edward (4), Government Operational Service (GOS) in Place du Portage (2), Government Telecommunications Informatics Services (GTIS) in Place du Portage (2). The National Capital Regional office will use existing terminals. These terminals will use dedicated communication lines with direct access to the King Edward mainframe, which will allow the Regions, Departments and Agencies to access On-line Pay in their respective Regional Offices for urgent input only. Remote clients will be instructed to use batch input for urgent input only.

3.5 The King Edward plant, where the Compensation Systems mainframes reside, is supported by diesel generators as a contingency to a hydro failure.

3.6 On December 31, 1999 systems will be shut down following December 30, 1999 processing, and will gradually be brought back up on January 1, 2000. Operational testing of Compensation Sector systems is scheduled for January 2, 2000. Some departments will be contacted to participate in on-line access testing. Other departments may want to verify their ability to access the on-line system, but are asked not to input transactions as they may slow the system down and affect critical Compensation system testing. Regional contacts will be informed that systems are operational immediately following the testing on January 2, or 3, 2000.

3.7 While the level of effort in addressing the Year 2000 issues related to our common service role has been considerable, it is also gratifying to now have these essential preparations in place so that we can continue delivering our services efficiently after January 1, 2000.

4. INQUIRIES

4.1 Should you require further information concerning the Crisis Response Team, or on the contingency plan, do not hesitate to contact Pierre Gauthier at 819-956-0566 or by Email: pierre.gauthier@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca.

Original Signed by
B. Bartley

B. Bartley
A/Director General
Compensation Sector
Government Operational Service

Reference: 9000-56