First-of-Its-Kind Report by IIA Canada Provides Comprehensive Review of Internal Audit Across the Federal Government
Press Release | Advocacy | November 17, 2025
Cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and data privacy identified as emerging subject areas for public policy advocacy
TORONTO – (November 17, 2025) – The Institute of Internal Auditors Canada (IIA Canada) has released a landmark report providing a detailed examination of the laws and regulations that detail the role of internal audit across the federal government. Developed in collaboration with IIA Canada’s 12 chapters, this comprehensive report is positioned to become an essential resource in advancing a uniform application of internal audit within the federal public sector.
Drawing on an analysis of more than 50 laws, regulations, and guidance documents, the research outlines how internal audit is currently positioned in public policy. The report also identifies key opportunities to enhance existing policy frameworks and emerging policy areas that would benefit from strengthened internal audit oversight and integration.
“Internal audit plays a critical role in promoting good governance and accountability across both public and private organizations,” said Janet Hnytka, Chair, IIA Canadian Advisory Committee. “By identifying opportunities to embed more robust internal audit practices into federal policy, this report offers a roadmap for our profession to collaborate more effectively with policymakers.”
The research identifies several areas where policy and regulatory frameworks remain under development—most notably in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and data privacy. Within these domains, the evolution of policy underscores the importance of internal audit in reinforcing transparency, ethical oversight, and risk management. It also includes a comprehensive list of all federal laws, regulations, and policy instruments that reference internal audit.
This work presents a significant opportunity for the internal audit profession to engage more deeply with policymakers and to contribute meaningfully to the development of legal and regulatory frameworks in these critical and rapidly evolving areas.
About the Report
The State of Internal Audit Public Policy Research in Canada was developed from an extensive review of federal laws, legislation, policies, guidelines, and frameworks across ten key focus areas encompassing emerging risk domains, established subject areas, and highly regulated sectors. Information was compiled from industry reports, federal government resources, and other publicly available sources.
About The Institute of Internal Auditors
The Institute of Internal Auditors (The IIA) is an international professional association that serves more than 265,000 global members and has awarded more than 200,000 Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) certifications worldwide. Established in 1941, The IIA is recognized throughout the world as the internal audit profession's leader in standards, certifications, education, research, and technical guidance. For more information, visit theiia.org.
Media contact
Sarah DuBois
952-688-2588
sarah.dubois@theiia.org