Examining all systems and practices in detail is impractical and costly. Therefore, based on a thorough understanding of the corporation and its operating environment, and on a risk analysis, the examination concentrates on areas of the corporation where any deficiencies that might exist could be significant.
Crown corporations undergo a special examination every five years.
The first five-year cycle of special examinations was conducted between 1984 and 1990, and the second between 1990 and 1996. The third cycle of examinations commenced in 1996 and will be completed by 2001. Thirty-nine Crown corporations were subject to a special examination during the third cycle. The results discussed hereunder are based only on the examinations carried out by the Office of the Auditor General. Our special examination findings indicate that management of Crown corporations is improving.