Treasury Board Directive on Automated Decision Making

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Background

The Directive on Automated Decision-Making (directive) sets requirements for federal institutions to ensure that the use of AI or other automated systems in making or supporting administrative decision-making is compatible with the core principles of administrative law such as transparency, accountability, legality and procedural fairness. The Directive is supported by the Algorithmic Impact Assessment Tool, an online questionnaire which helps departments understand and manage the risks associated with automated decision systems.  

The directive came into effect in April 2019 and applies to systems developed or procured after April 2020.

Guidance

Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS) has developed guidance to support compliance with the directive:

• Peer review – to support departments commissioning a review and individuals undertaking the review
• Section 4.5 of the Guideline on Service and Digital provides additional guidance on the responsible and ethical use of automated decision systems

Upcoming:

• Scope – to support departments in understanding the systems and uses that fall under the purview of the directive
• Reporting – to support departments on the requirement of publishing information on the effectiveness and efficiency of a system in meeting program objectives
• Algorithmic Impact Assessment Guide – to support departments in completing the Algorithmic Impact Assessment and improve the consistency and quality of questionnaire responses

Resources

• Policy on Service and Digital
• Responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI)
• Third Review of the Directive on Automated Decision-Making
• Draft 1.0 of the Directive on Automated Decision-Making (2018)

Enquiries

Please contact the TBS Responsible Data and AI team (ai-ia@tbs-sct.gc.ca) for any questions.