Qualifications

Marcel Gauthier began his Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP) career in 1986, was the ATIP Coordinator for Indian and Northern Affairs Canada for seven years, and has been providing ATIP services under contract since 1998.

He has extensive knowledge of, and experience in:

		interpreting and applying the Access to Information and Privacy legislation, and the related policies and guidelines, as required not only to ensure an organization's compliance to the legislation but also to prevent, or to identify and mitigate, any potential negative impact;
		analysing records in detail in order to identify all possible nuances and interpretations of the information contained therein, particularly with respect to intricate sensitive issues;
		consulting, briefing and providing presentations to officials at all levels, from junior to senior officials, both within and outside government;
		negotiating agreements with managers, investigators, requesters and third parties;
		seeking legal opinions when appropriate, and defending the institution’s application of the legislation during complaint investigations and appeals to the Federal Court;
		documenting and analysing practises, workload and resources to identify options for ensuring efficient compliance to the ATIP legislation and policies; and obtaining the necessary support to implement the chosen options;
		developing and updating ATIP policies, procedures and guidelines, and implementing these;
		developing training tools, and delivering the training;
		developing staffing instruments, and conducting staffing actions; and
		management principles and practices, including providing leadership, direction, motivation and mediation, and building cooperation.

He is a highly analytical thinker, as well as an excellent communicator and negotiator. He is a creative, dependable and enthusiastic problem solver and change agent; and he has a proven track record in improving efficiencies, reducing turnaround time and increasing production. He is a skilled manager who has directed and managed up to 12 professional and support staff/contractors, and an operating budget of about $200,000.

Highlights from his contracting career include:

		Processed numerous requests made under the Access to Information Act and Privacy Act, including many large and sensitive requests, such as a request of over 250,000 pages regarding an Immigration program (latter was processed with two other consultants in 2001‑2002).
		Was a team leader for the full twelve months during the 2002‑2003 fiscal year for which the Fisheries and Oceans Canada ATIP Office went from an “F” to an “A” in the Information Commissioner’s Report Cards.
		Prepared own ATIP training and delivered to federal employees from 1998 to present.
		Provided recommendations to Treasury Board on how to improve their training instruments, and delivered Treasury Board’s training offered to all federal institutions from 2005 to present.
		Prepared staffing instruments and acted as board member for staffing junior and senior ATIP officer positions at various times from 2000 to present.
		Advised ATIP Coordinators and other officials on the appropriate interpretation and application of the legislation, and of related policies, procedures and guidelines.
		Provided advice to ATIP Coordinators on appropriate departmental policies, procedures or guidelines that would improve compliance to the legislation while protecting required interests.