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The original version was signed by
The Honourable Christine Miles
Deputy Executive Director Public Appointments Commission Secretariat
Management Representation Statement
Summary Information
Section II: Analysis of program Activities by Strategic Outcome
Section III: Supplementary Information
Table 1: Departmental Link to Government of Canada Outcome Areas
Table 2: Comparison of Planned to Actual Spending (including FTEs)
Table 3: Voted and Statutory Items
Table 4: Travel Policies
Section IV: Other Items of Interest
I submit for tabling in Parliament, the 2007–08 Departmental Performance Report for the Public Appointments Commission Secretariat.
This document has been prepared based on the reporting principles contained in the Guide for the Preparation of Part III of the 2007–08 Estimates: Reports on Plans and Priorities and Departmental Performance Reports:
Christine Miles
Deputy Executive Director
Public Appointments Commission Secretariat
The Public Appointments Commission Secretariat was created by Order in Council on April 21, 2006. The Secretariat was created to support the establishment of the Public Appointments Commission, whose mandate is described in the Federal Accountability Act. In advance of the appointment of Commissioners, the Secretariat’s role is to lay the groundwork for the eventual establishment of the Commission. The operations of the Commission and its supporting Secretariat will help to ensure that appointments to agencies, boards, commissions and Crown corporations are made accordingly to fair and competency-based selection processes, thereby enhancing confidence in the integrity of the system.
The Commission and its Secretariat are within the portfolio of the Prime Minister, reflecting the prerogative of the Prime Minister with respect to Governor-in-Council appointments.
Financial Resources (thousand of dollars)
2007–2008 | ||
Planned Spending | Total Authorities | Actual Spending |
1,074 | 955 | 113 |
Human Resources (full-time equivalents)
2007-08 | ||
Planned | Actual | Difference |
4 | 1 | 3 |
From April 2007 to November 2007, there were no personnel in the Public Appointments Commission Secretariat. A Deputy Executive Director, supported by and Administrative Assistant (hired by contract), was assigned at the beginning of November 2007.
Departmental Priorities
Name | Type | Performance Status |
1. Support the Commission | Ongoing | Successfully met |
2. Build the Organization | New | Successfully met |
3. Develop and Implement the Code of Practice | New | Successfully met |
4. Monitor, audit and report out | Ongoing | Successfully met |
The key focus for 2007-2008 continues to be to lay the groundwork for the eventual establishment of the Public Appointments Commission.
Once Commissioners have been appointed, the Secretariat will provide policy and operational support to the chair and members. To minimize delays, background materials have been developed to provide Commission members information upon which to make key decisions on strategic directions for the development and implementation of the Commission’s mandate.
The Secretariat strengthened the establishment of its organizational structure including delegated authorities and a revised memorandum of understanding with PCO to provide key administrative and financial services.
Options were developed for a possible Code of Practice, for the consideration of Commission members once appointed including associated guidance reflecting research on best practices.
Options were also developed on ways to monitor, audit and report on progress towards implementing the Code of Practice in anticipation of the Commission’s establishment.
Program Activities by Strategic Outcome (thousand of dollars)
Expected Results | Performance Status | 2007-2008 | Contributes to the following priority | ||
Planned Spending | Actual Spending | ||||
Strategic Outcome: | To ensure fair competency-based processes are in place for the recruitment and selection of qualified individuals for Governor-in-Council appointments across agencies, boards, commissions and Crown corporations | ||||
Oversight of the Governor-in-Council appointment | 1,074 | 113 | Support the Commission | ||
Total | 1,074 | 113 |
The Public Appointments Commission Secretariat has only one Strategic Outcome, described below, which in turn is supported by one Program Activity. The Strategic outcome supports the overall plan to strengthen accountability in government as outlined in the Federal Accountability Act.
To ensure fair and competency-based processes are in place for the recruitment and selection of qualified individuals for Governor-in-Council appointments across agencies, boards, commissions and Crown corporations.
Program Activity:
Oversight of the Governor-in-Council appointment.
Financial Resources (thousand of dollars)
2007–2008 | ||
Planned Spending | Authorities | Actual Spending |
1,074 | 955 | 113 |
Human Resources (full-time equivalents)
2007–2008 | ||
Planned | Actual | Difference |
4 | 1 | 3 |
Although the Commission was not announced for this reporting period, the Secretariat ensured that its organization was well structured and prepared for the Commission’s establishment on short notice.
Work on laying the groundwork for the eventual Commission included research on international and domestic best practices respecting public appointment practices, developing options for a Code of Practice and associated guidance for agencies, boards, commissions and Crown corporations. Additionally, the Secretariat developed prototypes for strategic appointment plans using minimum appointment standards, that could be adopted by public organizations within the Commission’s remit, ensuring that although the plans promoted rigorous selection processes, they still could provide for flexibility to accommodate the wide range of agencies, boards, commissions and Crown corporations, in terms of size and responsibilities. This groundwork fully complements the ongoing work of the PCO in refining, streamlining and modernizing the Governor-in-Council appointment processes, following the principles set out for the Public Appointments Commission in the Federal Accountability Act.
Strategic Outcome: | To ensure fair and competency-based processes are in place for the recruitment and selection of qualified individuals for Governor-in-Council appointments across agencies, boards, commissions and Crown corporations. | |||
Actual Spending 2007-08 | Alignment to Government of Canada Outcome Area | |||
Budgetary | Non-budgetary | Total | ||
Oversight of the Governor-in-Council appointment | 113 | - | 113 | All Government of Canada Outcomes |
Total | 113 | - | 113 |
Alignment: To ensure fair and competency based processes are in place for the recruitment and selection of qualified individuals for Governor-in-Council appointments across agencies, boards, commissions and Crown Corporations.
The Program Activity contributes to the achievement of all Government of Canada Outcomes by ensuring that selection process for federal Governor-in-Council appointments are fair and competency based.
(thousand of dollars) | 2005–2006 Actual |
2006–2007 Actual |
2007–2008 | |||
Main Estimates | Planned Spending | Total Authorities | Actual | |||
Reviews | - | 633 | 1,074 | 1,074 | 955 | 113 |
Total | - | 633 | 1,074 | 1,074 | 955 | 113 |
Plus: Cost of services received without charge | - | 104 | N/A | 116 | N/A | 45 |
Total Departmental Spending | - | 737 | N/A | 1,190 | N/A | 158 |
Full-time Equivalents | - | 4 | N/A | 4 | N/A | 1 |
Variation between the Total Planned Spending and the Total authority
The $0.1 million decrease is due to an adjustment of $0.1 million for the Employee Benefit Plan rate.
Variation between the Total authority and the Total Actual Spending
The $0.8 million surplus is explained as there were no personnel to pursue the activities of the PACS from the period of April 2007 to October 2007 and a partially staffed organization thereafter.
Variation between the Actual Spending 2006-2007 and the Actual Spending 2007-2008
The decrease of $0.5 million is explained by having a fully staffed organization in 2006‑2007 and having no personnel to pursue the activities of the PACS from the period of April 2007 to October 2007 and a partially staffed organization thereafter.
(thousand of dollars)
Vote or Statutory Item | Truncated Vote or Statutory Wording | 2007–2008 | |||
Main Estimates | Planned Spending | Total Authorities | Actual | ||
25 | Program expenditures | 945 | 945 | 945 | 103 |
(S) | Contributions to employee benefit plans | 129 | 129 | 10 | 10 |
Total | 1,074 | 1,074 | 955 | 113 |
The Public Appointments Commission Secretariat follows the Treasury Board of Canada Special Travel Authorities.
The Public Appointments Commission Secretariat follows the Treasury Board of Canada Travel Directive, Rates and Allowances.
for the year ended March 31, 2008
Statement of Management Responsibility
Responsibility for the integrity and objectivity of the accompanying financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2008 and all information contained in these statements rests with departmental management. These financial statements have been prepared by management in accordance with Treasury Board accounting policies, which are consistent with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles for the public sector.
Management is responsible for the integrity and objectivity of the information in these financial statements. Some of the information in the financial statements is based on management’s best estimates and judgment and gives due consideration to materiality. To fulfill its accounting and reporting responsibilities, management maintains a set of accounts that provides a centralized record of the Public Appointments Commission Secretariat’s financial transactions. Financial information submitted to the Public Accounts of Canada and included in the Public Appointments Commission Secretariat’s Departmental Performance Report is consistent with these financial statements.
Management maintains a system of financial management and internal control designed to provide reasonable assurance that financial information is reliable; that assets are safeguarded; and that transactions are in accordance with the Financial Administration Act, are executed in accordance with prescribed regulations, within Parliamentary authorities, and are properly recorded to maintain accountability of government funds. Management also seeks to ensure the objectivity and integrity of data in its financial statements by careful selection, training and development of qualified staff, by organizational arrangements that provide appropriate divisions of responsibility, and by communication programs aimed at ensuring that regulations, policies, standards and managerial authorities are understood throughout the Public Appointments Commission Secretariat.
The financial statements of the Public Appointments Commission Secretariat have not been audited.
Christine Miles
Deputy Executive Director
Ottawa, Ontario
August 08, 2008
for the year ended March 31, 2008
Expenses | 2008 | 2007 |
(in thousands of dollars) | ||
Salaries and employee benefits | 69 | 572 |
Accommodation (Note 6) | 39 | 67 |
Professional and special services | 21 | 76 |
Rental | 4 | 3 |
Other expenses | - | 5 |
Transportation and telecommunication | - | 33 |
Utilities, materials and equipment | - | 5 |
Employee severance benefits (Note 4) | (82) | 82 |
Net Cost of Operations | 51 | 843 |
The accompanying notes form an integral part of these financial statements.
at March 31, 2008
Assets | 2008 | 2007 |
(in thousands of dollars) | ||
Financial assets | ||
Accounts receivable from other federal government departments and agencies | 119 | - |
Total financial assets | 119 | - |
Liabilities and Equity of Canada | 2008 | 2007 |
(in thousands of dollars) | ||
Liabilities | ||
Accounts payable to other federal government departments and agencies | 17 | 54 |
Vacation pay and compensatory leave | - | 25 |
Employee severance benefits (Note 4) | - | 82 |
Total liabilities | 17 | 161 |
Equity of Canada | 102 | (161) |
Total | 119 | - |
Contractual obligations (Note 5)
The accompanying notes form an integral part of these financial statements.
at March 31, 2008
2008 | 2007 | |
(in thousands of dollars) | ||
Equity of Canada, beginning of year | (161) | - |
Net cost of operations | (51) | (843) |
Services provided without charge by other government departments (Note 6) | 45 | 103 |
Current year appropriations used (Note 3) | 113 | 633 |
Change in net position in the Consolidated Revenue Fund (Note 3c) | 156 | (54) |
Equity of Canada, end of year | 102 | (161) |
The accompanying notes form an integral part of these financial statements.
for the year ended March 31, 2008
2008 | 2007 | |
(in thousands of dollars) | ||
Operating Activities | ||
Net cost of operations | 51 | 843 |
Non-cash items | ||
Services provided without charge by other government departments (Note 6) | (45) | (103) |
Variation in Statement of Financial Position | ||
Increase in accounts receivable | 119 | - |
(Increase) decrease in liabilities: | ||
Accounts payable to other federal government departments and agencies | 37 | (54) |
Vacation pay and compensatory leave | 25 | (25) |
Employee severance benefits | 82 | (82) |
263 | (161) | |
Cash used by operating activities | 269 | 579 |
Net cash provided by Government of Canada | 269 | 579 |
The accompanying notes form an integral part of these financial statements.
for the year ended March 31, 2008
The Public Appointments Commission Secretariat was established by Order in Council number PC 2006-0228, on April 21, 2006. The Secretariat was created to prepare the ground for the establishment of the Public Appointments Commission, and once established, to provide ongoing support. The mandate of the Commission and its Secretariat is described in the Federal Accountability Act.
The Commission and its Secretariat are within the portfolio of the Prime Minister, reflecting the prerogative of the Prime Minister with respect to Governor-in-Council appointments.
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Treasury Board accounting policies, which are consistent with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles for the public sector. Significant accounting policies are as follows:
3. Parliamentary Appropriations
The Public Appointments Commission Secretariat receives most of its funding through annual Parliamentary appropriations. Items recognized in the statement of operations and the statement of financial position in one year may be funded through Parliamentary appropriations in prior, current or future years. Accordingly, the Public Appointments Commission Secretariat has different net results of operations for the year on a government funding basis than on an accrual accounting basis. The differences are reconciled in the following tables:
a) Reconciliation of net cost of operations to current year appropriations used: | |||
2008 | 2007 | ||
(in thousands of dollars) | |||
Net cost of operations | 51 | 843 | |
Adjustments for items affecting net cost of operations but not affecting appropriations: | |||
Add (Less): | |||
Services provided without charge by other government departments (Note 6) | (45) | (103) | |
Vacation pay and compensatory leave | 25 | (25) | |
Employee severance benefits | 82 | (82) | |
Current year appropriations used | 113 | 633 |
b) Appropriations provided and used: | |||
2008 | 2007 | ||
(in thousands of dollars) | |||
Vote - Operating expenditures | 945 | 986 | |
Statutory amounts | 10 | 54 | |
Less: | |||
Appropriations available for future years | - | - | |
Lapsed appropriations: Operating | (842) | (407) | |
Current year appropriations used | 113 | 633 |
2008 | 2007 | ||
(in thousands of dollars) | |||
Accrued benefits obligation, beginning of year | 82 | - | |
Expense for the year | (82) | 82 | |
Benefit paid during the year | - | - | |
Accrued benefit obligation, end of year | - | 82 |
The nature of the Public Appointments Commission Secretariat’s activities can result in large multi-year contracts and obligations whereby the Department will be obligated to make future payments when the services/goods are received. Significant contractual obligations that can be reasonably estimated are summarized as follows:
(in thousands of dollars) | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 and thereafter | Total |
Rental | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 29 |
The Public Appointments Commission Secretariat is related as a result of common ownership to all Government of Canada departments, agencies and Crown corporations. The Public Appointments Commission Secretariat enters into transactions with these entities in the normal course of business and on normal trade terms.
Services provided without charge: During the year, the Public Appointments Commission Secretariat received, without charge from other government departments, accommodation and the employer’s contribution to the health and dental insurance plans. These services without charge have been recognized in the Public Appointments Commission Secretariat’s Statement of Operations as follows:
2008 | 2007 | ||
(in thousands of dollars) | |||
Accommodation | 39 | 67 | |
Employer’s contribution to the health and dental insurance plans | 6 | 36 | |
Total | 45 | 103 |
The Government has structured some of its administrative activities for efficiency and cost-effectiveness purposes so that one department performs these on behalf of all without charge. The costs of these services, which include payroll and cheque issuance services provided by Public Works and Government Services Canada are not included as an expense in the Public Appointments Commission Secretariat’s Statement of Operations.
Comparative figures have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation.