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Canada Pension Plan / Old Age Security Review Tribunals - Annual Report 2000-2002

Table of Contents

Letter to the Minister

1. OUR MISSION, ROLE AND OPERATIONS
Our Mission
Our Role
Role within the Appeal System
Under the Canada Pension Plan
Appeal System under the Canada Pension Plan
Under the Old Age Security Act
Appeal System under the Old Age Security Act
Benefits Addressed by Review Tribunals
Appeals to Review Tribunals by Benefit Type
Who We Are
The Office of the Commissioner
Review Tribunal Members
What We Do
1. Preparations for a Hearing
2. The Hearing
3. Decision and Dissemination
Realities and Priorities

2. RAISING THE STANDARD OF FAIRNESS
Preparing Appellants for the Hearing
Early Release of HRDC Explanation of Decision Under Appeal
Improved Counselling and Communication
Individual Counselling
1-800 Telephone Access
Telephone Calls Received by OCRT 2001/02
OCRT Website
Brochures and other Written Materials
Continuing Evaluation of Communication Effort
Balancing Advantages at Hearings
Access to Medical Records
Access to Legal Aid
Hearing Procedure and Complaint Processes
Revising Procedural Guidelines for Hearings
Complaint Processes
Complaints Relating to Review Tribunal Appeals
Disability Insurance Complaints Desk

3. ENSURING INFORMED, RESPONSIVE AND REPRESENTATIVE REVIEW TRIBUNALS
Improving Members' Understanding of EligibilityRequirements and Rules of Evidence
New Member Orientation
Orientation for Appeals under the Canada Pension Plan
Orientation for Appeals under the Old Age Security Act
Advanced Workshops
Strengthening Members' Capacity to Assess Medical Evidence
Increasing Medical Information Resources for Members
Deepening Members' Understanding of Frequently Encountered Medical Conditions
Monitoring Health Information and Informatics Developments
Ensuring Responsiveness and Fairness
Imparting Sensitivity to Cultural Diversity
Encouraging Better Appreciation of Appellants' Circumstances
Reviewing Ethical and Fairness Issues
Composition of the National Panel
Panel Members by Province and Category
Panel Members by Gender and Category

4. WORKLOAD AND DISPOSITION OF CASES
A Changing Workload
Appeals to Review Tribunals, 1992/93 to 2001/02
Appeals Received and Hearings Held by Month, OAS and CPP for 2000/01 Fiscal Year
Appeals Received and Hearings Held by Month, OAS and CPP for 2001/2002 Fiscal Year
Balance of Cases - CPP and OAS, 1997/98 to 2001/02
Trends in Disposition of Cases
Review Tribunal Hearings by Outcome - CPP and OAS, 1997/98 to 2001/02
Hearing Outcome Rates (CPP Disability only), 1992/93 to 2001/02
Appeals of CPP Review Tribunal Decisions to the Pension Appeals Board, 1997/98 to 2001/02
Appeals of CPP Review Tribunal Decisions by Appellants to the PAB, 1997/98 to 2001/02
Appeals of CPP Review Tribunal Decisions by HRDC to the PAB, 1994/95 to 2001/02

5. THE WAY AHEAD
Eligibility Requirements
Quality and Fairness of the Appeal System
The Context of the CPP Disability Benefit
Cooperation on Policy Development

GLOSSARY

ANNEX A: INSIDE THE OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF REVIEW TRIBUNALS
Organization
Legal Services
Operations
Professional Development and Information Services (PDIS)
Appointments and Members Secretariat
Management Services

ANNEX B: EXPENDITURES
Year Ending March 31, 2001
Year Ending March 31, 2002

ANNEX C: CODE OF CONDUCT FOR REVIEW TRIBUNAL MEMBERS
Preamble
Commitment to Mission Statement
Conflict of Interest Code
Guidelines for Professional Conduct