ARCHIVED - The National Battlefields Commission

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As Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages, I am pleased to present the 2006–2007 Departmental Performance Report for the National Battlefields Commission. The report outlines all that this Canadian Heritage Portfolio Agency has accomplished over the reporting period and the many ways in which it continues to fulfill its mandate.

In 2006–2007, in addition to carrying on with its usual operations, the National Battlefields Commission prepared to celebrate its 100^th anniversary, which marks the beginning of the creation of our first national historic park, and to commemorate the 250^th anniversary of the historic battles of Québec City. The Commission began major repairs on its infrastructure, in preparation for its 100^th anniversary activities and for the 400^th anniversary of Québec City. The work will continue in 2007–2008 and will allow the Commission to fulfill its mandate to conserve and highlight Battlefields Park and to offer Canadians a significant, accessible, safe, and educational site.

This Departmental Performance Report demonstrates the unique and important role the National Battlefields Commission plays as a member of the Canadian Heritage Portfolio in helping to shape and strengthen our identity as Canadians.

Josée Verner

 

1.2 Management Representation Statement

I submit for tabling in Parliament, the 2006–2007 Departmental Performance Report for THE NATIONAL BATTLEFIELDS COMMISSION. This document has been prepared based on the reporting principles contained in the Guide for the Preparation of Part III of the 2006–2007 Estimates: Reports on Plans and Priorities and Departmental Performance Reports: It adheres to the specific reporting requirements outlined in the Treasury Board Secretariat guidance; It is based on the department’s approved Strategic Outcome(s) and Program Activity Architecture that were approved by the Treasury Board; It presents consistent, comprehensive, balanced and reliable information; It provides a basis of accountability for the results achieved with the resources and authorities entrusted to it; and It reports finances based on approved numbers from the Estimates and the Public Accounts of Canada.
Name:	_________________________________________________________________ André Juneau
Title:	Chairman

 

1.3 Summary Information

Reason for Existence – The National Battlefields Commission (NBC), as manager of Battlefields Park, enables Canadians to enjoy the first national historic park in Canada and one of the most prestigious urban parks in the world.

The mandate

The NBC has a mandate to acquire and conserve the great historical battlefields in Quebec City and turn them into a national park. The NBC is responsible for the acquisition, administration, governance and development of the battlefields and for managing the funds allocated to them.

The mission

The grounds of the NBC constitute one of the most important historic sites in Canada; they are the cradle of Canadian history. The Plains of Abraham site is also the largest urban park in Quebec City. It was created at a time when major urban parks were appearing throughout the world and is one of the most prestigious. Its historic, cultural, recreational, natural and scientific aspects make it unique. The NBC must thus reconcile the Plains of Abraham’s historic significance with its mission as an urban park. The NBC must preserve this historic Canadian legacy for future generations and develop it so that the public fully benefits from these treasures and learns more about the history of Canada and the Park’s site.

Through its initiatives and responsibilities, the NBC helps to enhance pride in our country, encouraging participation in, and contributing to, our society; ensures access to Canadian voices and spaces; and protects our heritage.

Financial Resources (in thousands of dollars)

	2006–2007
Planned Spending	Total Authorities	Actual Spending
8,907	9,872	9,467

Human Resources

	2006-2007
Planned	Actual	Difference
50 FTEs	50FTEs	0 FTEs

 

Status on Performance

				2006-2007 (in thousands of dollars)
Status on Performance				Planned Spending	Actual Spending
Strategic Outcome: Prestigious, accessible, safe and educational historic and urban sites.
Program Activity: Conservation
Priority #1 (type) Provide a prestigious and safe site (permanent)	Expected Result Ensure maintenance and safety for the park by repairing infrastructure.	Performance Status Successfully met		50	1,011 *
Program Activity: Development
Priority #2 (type) Increase the dissemination of history (permanent)	Expected Result Improve information quality and means of dissemination as well.	Performance Status Successfully met		100	61**
Priority #3 (type) Undertake the organization of the celebration marking the 100th anniversary of the NBC and of the park in 2008 (previously committed) *	Expected Result Establish the significant milestones for the celebration marking the 100th anniversary of the first national historic park in order to increase knowledge of the history of this site.	Performance Status Successfully met		50	134
Priority #4 (type) Plan for and organize the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the 1759 and 1760 historic battles (previously committed) *	Expected Result Establish an event schedule and recruit partners in order to increase knowledge of history and what life was like during that period, demystify the Quebec City battles and explain world events at the time.	Performance Status Successfully met		10	21
Program Activity: Administration
Priority #5 (type) Demonstrate transparency and accountability (permanent)	Expected Result Demonstrate a sound management of its conservation, preservation, and development activities and ensure adequate public information relating to them.	Performance Status Successfully met
Priority #6 (type) Increase revenue (permanent)	Expected Result Generate revenue required for a balanced budget and to meet requirements and offer a high-quality activities and services.	Performance Status Exceeded expectations		1,600	1,623***

* The $500,000 approved budget for roadwork and the leeway in the budget with respect to payments in lieu of taxes (PILT) enabled the NBC to invest in infrastructure maintenance and restoration.

** Certain expenditures specifically related to the 100^th and 250^th anniversaries that area accounted for in priorities 3 and 4 help increase the dissemination of history.

*** Exceeds estimates, while failing to meet all needs.

 

1.4 Commission’s Overall Performance

In fiscal 2006–2007, the National Battlefields Commission (NBC) prioritized major events to be held on its site in 2008, namely the 400th anniversary of Quebec City and the 100th anniversary of Battlefields Park, and the 250th anniversary of the battles of 1759 and 1760, to be commemorated in 2009 and 2010. The site managed by the NBC is a popular meeting place located in the heart of Quebec City. Consequently, the NBC has undertaken various projects enabling it to achieve its strategic objective to offer Canadians prestigious, accessible, safe and educational historic, urban sites.

The NBC feels that it has met its performance objectives for each of the administered site’s conservation and development program activities. Here are a few of the NBC’s achievements, listed in order of priority, as set out in the preceding table:

Priority #1 – Provide a prestigious and safe site – In order to address this priority, the NBC continued to maintain the park and assure safety through its day-to-day operations and major restoration work on park infrastructure in order to ensure the health and safety of the many visitors and users (Canadian and foreign) who will visit the park in 2008 to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Quebec City and the 100th anniversary of the NBC, and in subsequent years.

In 2006–2007, the NBC went to great lengths to secure additional funding for undertaking the work in order to meet expectations for such a prestigious site.

To do so, special budgets of $500,000 and $4,216,000 were allocated in 2006–2007 and 2007–2008, respectively. The following work was done in fall 2006: Gilmour Hill was paved and part of George VI Avenue was resurfaced. The NBC also prepared plans and specifications for certain health and safety projects to be carried out in 2007.

In order to ensure the safety of park users, the NBC stabilized and cleaned up the cliff and increased traffic monitoring. To this end, the NBC also acquired special equipment to ensure better control.

As planned, many landscaping projects were carried out to improve the aspects of certain sectors and attractions of the park, notably in the Joan of Arc Garden, across from the Musée National des Beaux-arts du Québec and near the Loews Le Concorde Hotel. As these spots are very popular with Canadian and foreign visitors, it is important to present an attractive image of the park. In addition, trees were planted and shrubs were pruned. Some projects were completed, including the updating of the Info-Plant Terminal and the memorial gift program. As in previous years, the Great Celebration of Nature was held and was a resounding success.

Priority #2 – Increase the dissemination of history – In order to address this priority, the NBC improved the quality of information and the means it uses to disseminate the history of the Plains of Abraham, notably by posting information about the battles on the Plains on its Web site. Some employees were asked to research the battles and the park’s history. The NBC also launched archaeological excavations on a major 1760 battle site, the Murray blockhouse. Many volunteers took part in this project, which received extensive media coverage, thereby ensuring the dissemination of information about the historic site. This enabled the NBC to meet its objectives to raise information levels concerning the historic battles of Quebec and pursue its goal to become the reference on the matter, as the park is recognized as the historic site commemorating the historic battles of Quebec.

Priority #3 – Undertake the organization of the celebration marking the 100th anniversary of the NBC and of the Park in 2008 – In 2008, the NBC will be marking the 100th anniversary of Canada’s first national historic park and also, will emphasize the 400th anniversary of Quebec City. In anticipation of this event, in 2006–2007, it laid the groundwork for 100th anniversary festivities to further promote the site’s history. Committees were formed at the NBC (festivities and commemoration committee, history committee) and historical research was done, themes were developed and requests were made with respect to the organization of various activities. Furthermore, to mark its own 100th anniversary, the NBC commissioned professionals to produce a show and compose a score for a historical epic featuring some 700 extras and volunteers and covering the site’s history over the last 400 years. To this end, the NBC obtained the co-operation of a number of volunteer groups, including 13 circles of Federation 24 of the Cercles de Fermières du Québec, who have agreed to make the costumes. The NBC also hired staff and reorganized tasks so as to be able to handle the workload. It also continued to take steps to secure additional funding to be able to mark its 100th anniversary in an appropriate manner. A few partners also agreed to work with the NBC to ensure the event’s success.

Priority #4 – Plan for and organize the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the historic battles of 1759 and 1760 – With a view to commemorating the 250th anniversary of the historic battles of 1759 and 1760, which is crucial considering the NBC’s mandate, the NBC drew up an events calendar for 2009 and 2010 to promote history and provide an idea of what life was like during that era, explain the battles of Quebec and give a background of the global context at the time. The history and commemoration committees continued to plan and organize the events and to provide information on the historic battles. Additional staff was hired to help with historical research for the purposes of developing a database on British soldiers. Partners were recruited to help with the event and to participate in the historical re-enactments of the battles.

Priority #5 – Demonstrate transparency and accountability – The NBC feels that it demonstrated sound management of material, financial and human resources, in accordance with administrative government rules. The NBC stayed within the budget it was allocated and could carried over an amount ($343,000) to next fiscal year. Lastly, all the necessary information to users and visitors was made public in time.

Priority #6 – Increase revenue – The NBC met its revenue objectives during the reference period. It is satisfied with its management, as revenue increased from $1,601,000 in 2005–2006 to $1,623,040 in 2006–2007. This revenue is essential to balance the budget in terms of conservation and development, needs and delivery of quality activities and services to ensure the same level of satisfaction among Canadians.

 

Operating Environment and Context

A. Day-to-day management

The NBC operates Battlefields Park, an exceptional site, with relatively modest resources, considering the total authorized budget of $9,872,000 (including revenue generated) in 2006–2007 for preserving and developing the park’s 108 hectares. This includes gardens, buildings and movables, as well as some 100 employees, who perform a variety of required tasks: administration, finance, maintenance, landscaping, animation, reception services, show production, research and archives, communications and security. The NBC is considered a small organization in light of its financial and human resources. It is authorized to spend the revenue it earns during the fiscal year. Revenue (in the order of $1,623,040 in 2006-2007) is generated through service use and activity fees related to attractions and exhibitions, educational activities and parking.

Certain changes to municipal taxation and the application of the new municipal assessment roll gave the NBC some leeway in its operational budgets, thereby reducing pressure stemming from aging infrastructure and related needs (2008–2009).

In order to achieve its strategic objective, it is very important for the NBC to meet its revenue targets. This required close monitoring of the market, the surrounding environment, the tourism context and the educational community in order to be able to make adjustments in a timely manner and shift its priorities, as needed. A drop in the number of visitors, which could result from a number of factors, such as poor weather, the exchange rate, a decline in tourists or visiting schoolchildren (such as during the school boycott in 2005–2006), could lead to a decrease in revenue. The NBC is faced with this risk every year. However, the NBC can confirm that the risk was not a factor in 2006–2007, as it attained its revenue objectives, and even surpassed them by $23,040.

Various government procedures, such as the application of the management accountability framework, assessments and certain modifications, add a workload in addition to regular and special operations in order to meet objectives and fulfil the NBC’s mandate.

B. Context

In fiscal 2006–2007, the NBC focused on planning, carrying out, organizing and preparing various conservation and development projects, in anticipation of events to be held on the Battlefields Park in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010.

An additional budget of $500,000 was allocated from the Government of Canada in 2006–2007 to undertake infrastructure works, including the major restoration of roads, sidewalks and sewers. The magnitude and scope of the work required tight planning by the NBC, considering the little time it has to complete the projects, the limited number of workers at its disposal and the available budget. Furthermore, during the reference period, more than $1,350,000 was allocated to the 2007–2008 budget to carry out infrastructure works related to health and safety. Lastly, in November 2006, the NBC received confirmation that an additional $2,866,000 would be also allocated in 2007–2008 for health and safety. In 2006, the NBC had to plan all the infrastructure projects, totalling $4,716,000 for 2006 and 2007. It should be noted that the NBC had wanted to carry out these projects for a number of years, but financial resources were only made available in 2006-2007 and 2007-2008. The NBC must therefore rise to the challenge and carry out all of the planned work in a short period of time and ensure that the work will be completed in time for festivities scheduled for 2008.

In addition to having undertaken a number of infrastructure projects to help safeguard the health and improve the safety of park users and, by that very fact, restore the beauty of the park, the NBC organized and prepared various activities to be held during festivities in 2008 and planned various commemorative projects for events to be held in 2009 and 2010. In short, since 2006, the NBC has been working on large-scale projects that have had a major impact on the day-to-day operations and management of all NBC services.

Some internal and external factors had an impact on the implementation of NBC programs, activities and services during this period, including the following:

• Park visitation: The Battlefields Park is known as a popular meeting place among Canadians, with more than four million visitors and users frequenting the park annually. It is considered the preferred spot for holding major events in the Quebec City area. Considering the number of park use applications that were received and processed in 2006–2007 (more than 232 applications, up 55% from 2005–2006) and those to be submitted in 2008, 2009 and 2010, it is in the NBC’s best interest to take this factor into account in the management of its operations, especially in terms of the ÒConservationÓ program activity. The park’s popularity with visitors has forced the NBC to tighten control of park use and continue to co-ordinate activities and services so as to ensure the safety of park users. The risk of injury, and even legal action, resulting from falls or damage caused by the poor condition of infrastructure (eg, sidewalks, damaged road and the threat of falling rocks from the cliff) were considered, and emergency work was carried out to remedy the situation.

  The NBC is proud to have met its performance objectives during the reference period, considering the limited material, human and financial resources at its disposal to maintain the level of quality sought and offer a prestigious, safe site.

• Changes in or the emergence of pan-governmental policies or priorities: The NBC demonstrated sound management in its operations and represented the government in a responsible and transparent manner. It met deadlines, despite the limited human resources at its disposal and the workload related to various obligations and upcoming events. This required discipline and efficient organization. Nevertheless, the NBC had to ask for outside help to respond to certain government requests, such as assessing risks in order to develop its prevention program, in accordance with Part II of the Canada Labour Code.
  
• The context of Quebec City’s 400th anniversary: The NBC remains present and active in the Quebec City community. As it manages an exceptional site located in the heart of Quebec City, it wanted to be involved in the event to ensure its success, to proudly and actively represent the Government of Canada by conveying an image of prestige, and to enhance its own visibility, as 2008 will also mark the NBC’s 100th anniversary. The NBC is working closely with the Société du 400^e Anniversaire de Québec and has responded to the organization’s requests to use the park (eg, for a picnic celebrating the 400th anniversary). It is also collaborating with various organizations accredited by the Société du 400^e Anniversaire de Québec (eg, old-fashioned golf tournament) that wish to organize events as part of the festivities.

  In this context, the NBC must rise to the challenge to ensure that the public knows that 2008 also marks the 100th anniversary of the NBC and Battlefields Park, the country’s first national historic park, and that the park was the Government of Canada’s bequest to Quebec City, the first permanent French-speaking colony in North America, for its 300th anniversary.

  The other major challenge facing the NBC with respect to its 100th anniversary consisted in developing and organizing a parallel program of festivities likely to be of interest to the public in 2008, with a modest budget, while ensuring standard operations and special projects in 2006 and 2007.

  It should also be noted that 2006–2007 was marked by a few unexpected and public events that could have affected the integrity of the site, resulting in a heavy workload for the NBC and pressure on NBC operations. Subsequent public debates regarding the proposal to relocate the outdoor stage (called "The Agora") to the Plains of Abraham raised a number of concerns and sparked discussion, drawing the public’s attention to the preservation of the nature and integrity of the park. The NBC had to review the project on an urgent basis, putting pressure on NBC operations and affecting the workload of staff already heavily involved in organizing NBC festivities, commemorative events and projects.

  As part of developing one of the Government of Canada’s bequests (Brown Basin) to Quebec City for its 400th anniversary, the NBC was asked to manage and administer the initiative. Having informed the Quebec Port Authority of its interest in using the banks of the St. Lawrence River, where British troops landed before climbing the cliff during the battle on the Plains of Abraham, the NBC concluded, after reviewing the project, that it could not take charge of the site without additional funding.

• Internal restructuring: The NBC had to hire additional staff in some units, notably in Maintenance Services, Green Space Services and Communications, owing to the workload resulting from projects related to the preservation and conservation of the site in 2006–2007. It also had to restructure its workforce in light of the preparations for festivities and commemorative events scheduled for 2008, 2009 and 2010.
  
• Recourse to key stakeholders, partners and clients: The NBC relies on many key stakeholders, partners and clients to meet its priorities. It continued its collaboration with the City of Quebec for various maintenance and restoration work in the park. This partnership enables it to carry out the "Conservation" program activity, preserve the park and ensure the safety of users. A partnership agreement with the city was also signed, giving the NBC greater flexibility in carrying out joint projects intended to improve services offered to the public. The agreement was approved by the Quebec government, in accordance with the Act Respecting the Ministère du Conseil Exécutif.

  In order to carry out the "Development" program activity, the NBC entered into agreements with various museums and horticultural establishments with a view to promote the activities and services it offers to visitors. It also continued to work with the media, through which it could promote NBC activities and services and ensure the Government of Canada’s visibility. The NBC was also able to count on a very diverse clientele, including groups of schoolchildren from different grades and tourists from Quebec, the rest of the country and abroad, giving it opportunities to promote the history of Canada and Battlefields Park. It provided a number of ways through which visitors could learn more about these topics, including interpretation activities, exhibitions and shows. Park patrons, including sport enthusiasts, history buffs, and music and nature lovers, had the opportunity to enjoy this excellent site.

 

Links with Canada’s Performance

The NBC’s strategic objective is to offer a prestigious, urban site in a clean, healthy environment for the benefit of Canadians. In preserving and conserving the Battlefields Park, green space located in the heart of the city, the NBC helps to ensure the quality of the environment in the long term.

Every year, the NBC meticulously sees to park maintenance; it renews the park’s tree population, makes compost, is increasingly eliminating the use of pesticides and raises public awareness of better environmental protection through various nature-related activities.

The strategic objective of the NBC also leads it to offer an accessible and educational historic site to ensure that Canadian culture and heritage thrive. Through its mandate to develop this prestigious site, the NBC informs Canadians about the history of Canada and the battles that were fought on the site and offers a great place where people can enjoy themselves.

Every year, the NBC welcomes many Canadian and foreign visitors, who come to take part in various interpretation activities, visit exhibitions and attractions relating to the history of Canada and the park, and attend shows.

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