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Section II - Analysis of Program Activities by Strategic Outcome
Section III - Supplementary Information
Section II – Analysis of Program Activity by Strategic Outcome
Section III - Supplementary Information
The Right Honourable Stephen Harper
Prime Minister of Canada
In the October 2007 Speech from the Throne, the Government committed to strong leadership and to work with Canadians to continue building a better Canada by focusing on five clear priorities:
Building on our achievements to date, this agenda will allow us to work with Canadians to strengthen our federation, enhance our economic prosperity, secure our international leadership and make our communities safer.
The dedicated public servants who make up the Privy Council Office play a critical role in supporting the Government in implementing this agenda and responding to issues as they arise. The Government will continue to rely on their competence, expertise and non-partisan advice.
I am pleased to present the 2008-2009 Report on Plans and Priorities for the Privy Council Office. The plans outlined in this report, when fully implemented, will assist the Government in achieving the goals for the country in the coming years.Additionally, I am pleased to present the Report on Plans and Priorities for 2008-2009 for the Public Appointments Commission Secretariat, included in this document.
I submit for tabling in Parliament, the 2008-2009 Report on Plans and Priorities (RPP) for the Privy Council Office.
This document has been prepared based on the reporting principles contained in the Guide for the Preparation of Part III of the 2008–2009 Estimates: Reports on Plans and Priorities and Departmental Performance Reports:
Kevin G. Lynch
Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet
The mandate of the Privy Council Office (PCO) is to serve Canada and Canadians by providing the best professional, non-partisan advice and support to the Prime Minister, the ministers within the Prime Minister’s portfolio and the Cabinet. PCO supports the development of the Government’s policy agenda; coordinates responses to issues facing the Government and the country; and supports the effective operation of Cabinet. As the head of the Public Service, the Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet serves as the principal link between the Prime Minister and the Public Service. |
Organizational Information
The Privy Council Office reports directly to the Prime Minister and is headed by the Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet.
The Prime Minister’s overall responsibility is to provide leadership to create and sustain the unity of the Ministry required to maintain the confidence of Parliament. The Prime Minister demonstrates this leadership in two distinct ways:
The core functions of the Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet and those of the entire PCO flow directly from these responsibilities. The strength of PCO is in large measure determined by its ability to concentrate its resources on supporting exclusively these two central responsibilities, in addition to helping the Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet fulfill his role as head of the Public Service.
PCO contributes significantly to the implementation of a clearly articulated agenda of Government policy, coordinates timely responses to issues facing the Government and the country, and supports the effective operation of the Cabinet and the government. PCO works to maintain the highest professional and ethical standards in the federal Public Service and to ensure that the Prime Minister and ministers within the Prime Minister’s portfolio receive the best quality, consistent, appropriate and non-partisan policy and legal advice, and objective recommendations.
The main roles of PCO are to:
PCO Organizational Chart
The PCO organization chart is shown below. Further information on the roles and functions of PCO are available on the PCO website at www.pco-bcp.gc.ca
The Privy Council Office modified its Program Activity Architecture (PAA) to better reflect its role, core mandate and program activities across the organization. The revised PAA was approved by Treasury Board ministers in May 2007 and is being implemented in fiscal year 2008-2009.
New PAA Structure
Strategic Outcome | The Government’s agenda and decision making are supported and implemented and the institutions of government are supported and maintained. | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Program Activity | The Prime Minister and portfolio ministers Provide professional, non-partisan policy advice and support to the Prime Minister and portfolio ministers. |
The Cabinet Provide policy advice and secretariat support to Cabinet and Cabinet committees. |
The Public Service Provide overall leadership and direction to the Public Service in support of the Government’s agenda. |
Commissions of inquiry Provide commissions of inquiry with administrative and financial support. |
Previous PAA Structure
Strategic Outcome |
Towards effective government policies and operations, the Privy Council Office ensures that decision making by the Prime Minister and Cabinet is well supported and the institutions of executive government are well supported and maintained. | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Program Activity | Support for Cabinet decision making and legislative agenda | Advice to the Prime Minister and ministers on issues, policies, machinery and appointments | Provide Cabinet with sound advice on the development, coordination and implementation of the policy agenda | As its head, the Clerk leads the Public Service in effectively supporting Cabinet and serving Canadians | Provide the Prime Minister’s Office and the offices of the portfolio ministers with financial and administrative support | Provide commissions of inquiry with appropriate administrative support |
Program Activity Architecture Crosswalk
2008–2009 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
(thousands of dollars) | New Program Activity Architecture | ||||
Old Program Activity Architecture | 1.1- Provide professional, non-partisan policy advice and support to the Prime Minister and portfolio ministers | 1.2-Provide policy advice and secretariat support to Cabinet and Cabinet committees | 1.3- Provide overall leadership and direction to the Public Service in support of the Government’s agenda | 1.4- Provide commissions of inquiry with administrative and financial support | Total |
1- Support for Cabinet decision making and legislative agenda | 3,689 | 1,688 | - | - | 5,377 |
2- Advice to the Prime Minister and ministers on issues, policies, machinery and appointments | 45,311 | 12,838 | 270 | - | 58,419 |
3- Provide Cabinet with sound advice on the development, coordination and implementation of the policy agenda | 18,640 | 5,620 | - | - | 24,260 |
4- As its head, the Clerk leads the Public Service in effectively supporting Cabinet and serving Canadians | 3,919 | 617 | 3,303 | - | 7,839 |
5- Provide the Prime Minister’s Office and the offices of the portfolio minister’s with financial and administrative support | 27,914 | - | - | - | 27,914 |
6- Provide commissions of inquiry with appropriate administrative support | - | - | - | 1,316 | 1,316 |
Total | 99,473 | 20,763 | 3,573 | 1,316 | 125,125 |
Total (%) | 79.5% | 16.6% | 2.9% | 1.0% | 100.0% |
Planned Spending Proportion per Program Activity for 2008-2009
Voted and Statutory Items Displayed in the Main Estimates
(thousands of dollars)
Vote or Statutory Item |
Truncated Vote or Statutory Wording | 2008–09 Main Estimates |
2007–08 Main Estimates |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Program expenditures | 110,568 | 114,162 |
(S) | Prime Minister’s salary and motor car allowance | 157 | 153 |
(S) | President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification - salary and motor car allowance | 76 | 75 |
(S) | Leader of the Government in the Senate - salary and motor car allowance | 76 | 75 |
(S) | Contributions to employee benefit plans | 12,348 | 12,839 |
Total Department | 123,225 | 127,304 |
Departmental Planned Spending and Full-time Equivalents
(thousands of dollars) |
Forecast Spending 2007–08 |
Planned Spending 2008–09 |
Planned Spending 2009–10 |
Planned Spending 2010–11 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Provide professional, non-partisan policy advice and support to the Prime Minister and portfolio ministers | 97,239 | 97,573 | 97,573 | 97,573 |
Provide non-partisan policy advice and secretariat support to Cabinet and Cabinet committees | 20,778 | 20,763 | 20,763 | 20,763 |
Provide overall leadership and direction to the Public Service in support of the Government’s agenda | 3,579 | 3,573 | 3,573 | 3,573 |
Provide commissions of inquiry with administrative and financial support1 | 5,708 | 1,316 | - | - |
Total Main Estimates | 127,304 | 123,225 | 121,909 | 121,909 |
Adjustments | ||||
Supplementary Estimates A | ||||
Funding for the establishment and operation of the Internal Inquiry into the Actions of Canadian Officials in Relation to Abdullah Almalki, Ahmad Abou-Elmaati and Muayyed Nureddin | 7,342 | |||
Funding for continuing the activities of the Commission of Inquiry into the Investigation of the Bombing of Air India Flight 182 | 6,258 | |||
Funding for continuing the activities of the Commission of Inquiry into the Actions of Canadian Officials in Relation to Maher Arar | 374 | |||
Incremental costs associated with the Commission of Inquiry into the Actions of Canadian Officials in Relation to Abdullah Almalki, Ahmad Abou-Elmaati and Muayyed Nureddin | 161 | |||
Funding for activities to implement the Public Service Modernization Act | 135 | |||
Transfer to the Canada Public Service Agency for the National Managers’ Community | (7) | |||
Supplementary Estimates B | ||||
Funding for the office of the Coordinator for the 2010 Olympics and G8 Security | 810 | 1,594 | 1,744 | 878 |
Funding for the office of the Independent Advisor for the review of allegations respecting the financial dealings between Mr. Karlheinz Schreiber and the Right Honourable Brian Mulroney, in order to make recommendations for an appropriate mandate for a public inquiry | 800 | |||
Other | ||||
Leader of the Government in the House of Commons - salary and motor car allowance | 76 | 76 | 76 | |
Treasury Board Vote 102 | 126 | |||
Treasury Board Vote 153 | 1,256 | |||
Treasury Board Vote for Operating budget Carry Forward | 5,840 | |||
Employee Benefit Plan | 718 | 230 | 230 | 115 |
Total Adjustments | 23,813 | 1,900 | 2,050 | 1,069 |
Total Planned Spending | 151,117 | 125,125 | 123,959 | 122,978 |
Less: Non-respendable revenue | 791 | 791 | 791 | 791 |
Plus: Cost of services received without charge | 16,928 | 17,882 | 17,805 | 17,829 |
Total Departmental Spending | 167,254 | 142,216 | 140,973 | 140,016 |
Full-time Equivalents | 938 | 944 | 940 | 940 |
Spending trend
The variation in PCO’s Planned Spending is largely due to commissions of inquiry. The number of commissions of inquiry PCO supports varies from one year to another.
Departmental Planned Spending and Full-time Equivalents – Details for the Program Activity: Provide Commissions of Inquiry with Administrative and Financial Support
(thousands of dollars) | Forecast Spending 2007-2008 |
Planned Spending 2008-2009 |
Planned Spending 2009-2010 |
Planned Spending 2010-2011 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Funding for continuing the activities of the Commission of Inquiry into the Investigation of the Bombing of Air India Flight 182 | ||||
Main Estimates | 5,708 | 1,316 | - | - |
Adjustments | 6,258 | - | - | - |
Planned Spending | 11,966 | 1,316 | - | - |
Funding for the establishment and operation of the Internal Inquiry into the Actions of Canadian Officials in relation to Abdullah Almalki, Ahmad Abou-Elmaati and Muayyed Nureddin | ||||
Main Estimates | - | - | - | - |
Adjustments | 7,342 | - | - | - |
Planned Spending | 7,342 | - | - | - |
Funding for continuing the activities of the Commission of Inquiry into the Actions of Canadian Officials in Relation to Maher Arar | ||||
Main Estimates | - | - | - | - |
Adjustments | 374 | - | - | - |
Planned Spending | 374 | - | - | - |
Total Commissions of Inquiry | ||||
Main Estimates | 5,708 | 1,316 | - | - |
Adjustments | 13,974 | - | - | - |
Planned Spending | 19,682 | 1,316 | - | - |
Full-time Equivalents | 24 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
Financial Resources (thousands of dollars)
2008–09 | 2009–10 | 2010–11 | |
---|---|---|---|
Main Estimates | 123,225 | 121,909 | 121,909 |
Planned Spending | 125,125 | 123,959 | 122,978 |
Human Resources (full-time equivalents)
2008–09 | 2009–10 | 2010–11 | |
---|---|---|---|
Main Estimates | 934 | 930 | 930 |
Planned | 944 | 940 | 940 |
Departmental Priorities
Name | Type (new, ongoing, or previous commitment) |
---|---|
1. Support the Prime Minister in exercising his overall leadership responsibility | Ongoing |
2. Focus on key policy areas and strengthen medium-term policy planning | Ongoing |
3. Support management and accountability of government | Ongoing |
4. Strengthen PCO’s internal management practices | Ongoing |
Program Activities by Strategic Outcome
(thousands dollars) |
Expected Results | Planned Spending | Contributes to the following priority | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2008–09 | 2009–10 | 2010–11 | ||||
Strategic Outcome: | The Government’s agenda and decision making are supported and implemented and the institutions of government are supported and maintained | Priorities 1, 2, 3 and 44 | ||||
Provide professional, non-partisan policy advice and support to the Prime Minister and portfolio ministers | The Prime Minister and portfolio ministers are able to carry out their respective responsibilities | 99,473 | 99,623 | 98,642 | 1, 2, 3 | |
Provide non-partisan policy advice and secretariat support to Cabinet and Cabinet committees | Functioning and integrity of Cabinet decision making are maintained | 20,763 | 20,763 | 20,763 | 1, 2 | |
Provide overall leadership and direction to the Public Service in support of the Government’s agenda | The Public Service has the talent, capacity and management frameworks to provide advice on and implement the Government’s agenda | 3,573 | 3,573 | 3,573 | 3 | |
Provide commissions of inquiry with administrative and financial support | Commissions of inquiry receive required resources as well as advice and guidance on financial and administrative matters | 1,316 | - | - | 4 | |
Total | 125,125 | 123,959 | 122,978 |
The Privy Council Office reports directly to the Prime Minister; therefore, the Government’s priorities set the priorities of PCO:
Operating Environment
PCO’s priorities depend in large part on the Government’s agenda and are subject to a variety of internal and external influences. The most significant ones are outlined below.
Public expectations for increased government accountability
Canadians expect their government to provide more, better and faster services without increasing their taxes. At the same time, they expect their government to make sounddecisions, to be transparent and to account for the use of resources.
The Federal Accountability Act is a key response to Canadians’ demand for accountability. Since its adoption, there has been an unprecedented focus on improving management performance. The Government has put an emphasis on effective expenditure management in order to meet public demand for value for money and demonstrable results. This includes a focus on restraining growth in government spending and on results-based management. PCO, as a central agency and as the Prime Minister’s department, has a special duty to lead by example by demonstrating an efficient and effective use of public resources, with excellence being the benchmark. However, it is critical to ensure that the initiatives put in place to strengthen accountability are balanced with the need to provide an environment that encourages creativity in policy development and citizen-centred service delivery.
Complexity of issues
Although the priorities of the Government are clear and focused, the business of government in a modern society is inevitably complex. Increased interdependence among governments and a convergence of sectors are changing relationships and policy design. Decision makers are faced with challenges and opportunities that are influenced by varying pressures, international circumstances, budget limits and changing expectations. In addition, the Government faces a minority situation in both the House of Commons and the Senate. To deal with this level of complexity, PCO must support integration within the federal government community, and encourage teamwork within and across departments and agencies. As well, strong and effective networks involving the federal government, other orders of government, and stakeholders are key success factors. PCO must also ensure that it is able to support the Prime Minister in exercising his overall leadership responsibility with a high level of policy expertise and analytical capability. In addition, PCO must provide sound advice and support to ministers in the Prime Minister’s portfolio.
Accelerating technological shifts
As Canada is moving toward the front ranks of the world’s most innovative countries, new forms of delivering services and information are quickly becoming an integral part of the federal government’s commitment to provide the best service possible to Canadians in their medium of choice. The development of information technology also raises questions about security, confidentiality and privacy as well as accessibility. The computerization of work, as well as information and communications technologies, has implications for human resources management in terms of the skill sets, knowledge and training required by workers. These changes will require a PCO that is flexible, agile, innovative and focused on excellence. These adjustments to an ever-evolving world will allow PCO to fully support the Prime Minister in exercising his overall leadership responsibility and contribute to strengthening departmental internal management practices.
Demographic changes and the labour market
The face of Canada is being reshaped by significant societal and demographic changes. The Canadian population is aging. According to 2006 Census data, the median age has been rising steadily since 1966, reaching 39.5 years in 2006, and could exceed 44 years by 2031. The number of people aged 55 to 64 has never been so high, at nearly 3.7 million in 2006. This group makes up 16.9% of the working-age population compared with 14.1% in 2001 and could represent more than 20% of the working-age population in 2016. According to population projections, in approximately 10 years Canada may face workforce shortages creating the necessity to adopt transfer of knowledge, employee retention and learning strategies.
In addition, immigrants who landed in Canada during the 1990s and who were in the labour force in 2001 represented almost 70% of the net growth of the Canadian labour force over the decade. The Canadian population comprises individuals of more than 200 different ethnic origins. The top four source countries in 2003 were China, India, the Philippines and Pakistan. As a result, members of visible minorities account for more than 13% of the total Canadian population.
To fulfill its role of providing sound policy advice and support to the Prime Minister and the Cabinet, PCO relies extensively on its ability to attract, recruit and retain high-calibre policy analysts and advisors with specific subject-matter expertise who possess the experience, knowledge, analytical capability, and, above all, the dedication to provide exceptional quality. The Public Service of Canada as a whole must take concrete steps to attract and retain staff who reflect the diversity of the Canadian population. To meet these combined challenges, PCO has developed a strategic human resources plan with the goal of ensuring organizational sustainability. The plan addresses such areas as recruitment, the development of leadership capabilities in current and future leaders, diversity, succession planning, and knowledge transfer of critical corporate information.
The implementation of the following priorities and plans will take into consideration the operating environment described above.
PCO will continue to support the Prime Minister in one of his key leadership roles: to create and sustain the unity of the Ministry, which is essential in order to maintain the confidence of Parliament.
Plans:
PCO will provide advice on:
PCO will fulfill the Cabinet secretariat role by:
PCO will provide advice and support the development and implementation of the Government’s focused policy and legislative agenda in the fields of international policy, democratic institutions, the economy, crime and security, and the environment as set out in the Speech from the Throne and the agenda identified by the Prime Minister. It will also identify emerging issues to inform Cabinet’s deliberations and, through long-term strategic thinking, provide advice for the Government’s forward-looking agenda.
PCO will support the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform, the Leader of the Government in the Senate and Secretary of State (Seniors), the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and the Cabinet decision-making system to ensure the effective implementation in Parliament of the Government’s focused set of priorities as outlined in the Speech from the Throne. This will include advice and operational support for the introduction and progression of legislative initiatives, with a particular emphasis on priority bills.
Plans:
International
PCO will contribute to the development and implementation of the Government of Canada’s efforts to:
Democratic Institutions
PCO will support the Government’s efforts to strengthen the federation and democratic institutions and processes through drafting legislation to place formal limits on the use of the federal spending power for new shared-cost programs in areas of exclusive provincial jurisdiction as well as the development of specific initiatives to make Canada’s institutions and processes more democratic and more accountable.
PCO will also
Economic Leadership
PCO will support the Government of Canada’s efforts to provide effective economic leadership of the forward-looking economic agenda in the following areas:
Crime and Security
PCO will support the Government’s efforts to advance the comprehensive Tackling Violent Crime Bill (C-2), to implement the Safer Communities Strategy, and to move forward the commitment to recruit 2,500 more police officers.
PCO will work with Public Safety Canada to develop and implement a statement on national security that addresses Canadians directly on the challenge of protecting our free and open society. PCO will support the introduction of legislation to ensure that the Government has the tools it needs to protect Canada, Canadians and their rights and freedoms from global and domestic threats.
Environment
PCO will provide advice on and support the development and implementation of the following Government of Canada’s priority initiatives aimed at improving the environment:
PCO will continue to play a central role in assisting the Prime Minister and Cabinet in enhancing the overall management, transparency and accountability of government while ensuring that the objectives of improved efficiency and efficacy are met.
It will continue to support the Government in meeting its commitment to implement the Federal Accountability Act and Action Plan and other key measures aimed at ensuring integrity, accountability, responsibility and excellence in public administration. It will also assist the Government in increasing the effectiveness and accountability of Canada’s democratic institutions and practices. PCO will continue to support the renewal of the Public Service to ensure strong leadership capacity at all levels, now and in the future.
Plans:
PCO will support the implementation of the Government’s integrity, management, accountability and democratic reform initiatives contained in the Federal Accountability Act and the associated Action Plan.
PCO will ensure strategic management of the Governor-in-Council population through open, competency-based selection and appointment processes, enhanced leadership development and talent management programs, and fair and appropriate compensation policies and practices.
PCO will support the renewal of the Public Service of Canada, grounding initiatives in the business of government, to ensure that the Public Service reflects non-partisanship, excellence and leadership at all levels. The 2008-2009 priorities will focus on the key pillars of renewal:
Achieving excellence in management requires ongoing strengthening of PCO’s internal management practices, consistent with the standards of management outlined in the Management Accountability Framework (MAF).
Plans:
PCO is designing and putting in place a risk-based Integrated Business Planning Process that will be refined over the coming years. PCO will also continue to implement priorities and strategies in its Strategic HR Plan and report to employees on the progress achieved.
PCO is continuing its efforts to implement the Performance Measurement Framework within the context of the Management, Resources, and Results Structure Policy. The framework will enhance PCO’s ability to report credible and factual information on financial and non-financial performance.
PCO is continuing its efforts to implement the new internal audit policy and is developing a long-term approach for monitoring compliance and enhancing PCO’s system of internal controls.
PCO is continuing to modernize its emergency management and business continuity program. In this regard, PCO will be reviewing and, if necessary, refreshing all internal plans and operating procedures with respect to emergency response and business continuity planning. PCO will also be working in collaboration with Public Safety Canada and other institutions on coordinated government-wide emergency response and business continuity plans.
The Privy Council Office has one Strategic Outcome:
The Government’s agenda and decision making are supported and implemented and the institutions of government are supported and maintained.
Program Activity One:
Provide professional, non-partisan policy advice and support to the Prime Minister and portfolio ministers
Financial Resources (thousands of dollars)
2008–09 | 2009–10 | 2010–11 | |
---|---|---|---|
Main Estimates | 97,573 | 97,573 | 97,573 |
Planned Spending | 99,473 | 99,623 | 98,642 |
Human Resources (full-time equivalents)
2008–09 | 2009–10 | 2010–11 | |
---|---|---|---|
Main Estimates | 734 | 734 | 734 |
Planned | 744 | 744 | 744 |
Performance measurement
The Privy Council Office developed a Performance Measurement Framework for monitoring and measuring performance against the expected results for each Program Activity. We are presenting some performance indicators that will be reported on in our 2008-2009 Departmental Performance Report.
Activity | Description | Expected Result | Priorities Supported | Performance Indicators |
---|---|---|---|---|
Provide professional, non-partisan policy advice and support to the Prime Minister and portfolio ministers | To support the Prime Minister in carrying out his unique responsibilities as Head of Government, the Privy Council Office provides advice to the Prime Minister and portfolio ministers on policies; legislation and parliamentary issues facing the Government; appointments; and machinery of government issues. PCO also provides the Prime Minister’s Office and the offices of portfolio ministers with financial and administrative support. | The Prime Minister and portfolio ministers are able to carry out their respective responsibilities. |
Support the Prime Minister in exercising his overall leadership responsibility Focus on key policy areas and strengthen medium-term policy planning Support management and accountability of government |
The Prime Minister and portfolio ministers are provided with value-added5 information to make decisions Advice is provided in a timely manner PCO advice enables the Government to achieve its legislative and policy agenda The Prime Minister is supported for official visits The PMO and offices of portfolio ministers receive the necessary services and resources in a timely manner |
5. Value-added means complete, accurate, relevant and timely.
Specific activities are highlighted in the following paragraphs.
The Privy Council Office, in consultation with other departments and agencies, provides advice to the Prime Minister on the full range of issues and policies (social, economic, environment, foreign and defence, security and intelligence, machinery of government), maintains inventories of senior personnel and monitors senior personnel performance.
PCO coordinates advice across relevant government departments and agencies including the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, the Department of National Defence, the Canadian International Development Agency and Public Safety Canada, undertakes research, and provides advice on matters related to security and intelligence, Canada-U.S. relations, foreign and defence policy issues, and international assistance.
PCO, in consultation with other departments and agencies, provides advice and support to the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform, and the Leader of the Government in the Senate and Secretary of State (Seniors), as well as the Cabinet decision-making system, on the development, coordination and implementation of the Government’s legislative program and the Government’s agenda of democratic reform.
PCO staff advise and support the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs by providing an integrated view of relations with the provinces and territories across the Government’s broad policy agenda. Advice and assistance are provided to develop federal-provincial-territorial strategies, advance broader government-wide priorities, and support the Minister’s participation in Cabinet committees and parliamentary activities.
PCO staff, as appropriate, consult with stakeholders, conduct research and prepare advice on intergovernmental relations. They provide a challenge function on policy developments that could have an impact on intergovernmental relations. They also provide liaison and advice on relations with the provinces and territories and the renewal of the federation; support communications and parliamentary affairs on issues and initiatives with important federal-provincial-territorial dimensions.
PCO staff provide the required administrative and financial services to the PMO and the offices of the portfolio ministers.
Program Activity Two:
Provide policy advice and secretariat support to Cabinet and Cabinet committees
Financial Resources (thousands of dollars)
2008–09 | 2009–10 | 2010–11 | |
---|---|---|---|
Main Estimates | 20,763 | 20,763 | 20,763 |
Planned Spending | 20,763 | 20,763 | 20,763 |
Human Resources (full-time equivalents)
2008–09 | 2009–10 | 2010–11 | |
---|---|---|---|
Main Estimates | 159 | 159 | 159 |
Planned | 159 | 159 | 159 |
Activity | Description | Expected Result | Priorities Supported | Performance Indicators |
---|---|---|---|---|
Provide policy advice and secretariat support to Cabinet and Cabinet committees | To ensure the smooth functioning of Cabinet decision making, the Privy Council Office provides policy advice and secretariat support to the Cabinet and Cabinet committees. PCO provides secretariat support to Cabinet and Cabinet committees by preparing briefing material and distributing agendas and documents. | Functioning and integrity of Cabinet decision making are maintained. |
Support the Prime Minister in exercising his overall leadership responsibility Focus on key policy areas and strengthen medium-term policy planning |
The Cabinet has received value-added information for decision making. Cabinet documents are distributed in a timely manner to ministers Deputy ministers are regularly informed of Government agenda and activities. Departments are able to prepare Memoranda to Cabinet and ministerial presentations that propose action to implement the Government’s agenda. |
The Privy Council Office facilitates integration across the federal community in support of the implementation of the Government’s agenda by departments and agencies. PCO engages in consultation, provides a challenge function and researches issues.
It helps coordinate the operation of Cabinet and Cabinet committees, including agenda-setting, meeting management and secretarial support, and provides expert advice to the Cabinet and the chairs of Cabinet committees on the full range of issues and policies.
In order to facilitate integration across the federal community and support the Cabinet decision-making process, PCO staff coordinate the management of deputy minister-level meetings and provide expert advice to the Clerk of the Privy Council on a range of policy issues, in consultation with stakeholders.
Program Activity Three:
Provide overall leadership and direction to the Public Service in support of the Government’s agenda
Financial Resources (thousands of dollars)
2008–09 | 2009–10 | 2010–11 | |
---|---|---|---|
Main Estimates | 3,573 | 3,573 | 3,573 |
Planned Spending | 3,573 | 3,573 | 3,573 |
Human Resources (full-time equivalents)
2008–09 | 2009–10 | 2010–11 | |
---|---|---|---|
Main Estimates | 37 | 37 | 37 |
Planned | 37 | 37 | 37 |
Activity | Description | Expected Result | Priorities Supported | Performance Indicators |
---|---|---|---|---|
Provide overall leadership and direction to the Public Service in support of the Government’s agenda | To foster a high-performing and accountable Public Service that has the talent, capacity and management frameworks to provide advice on and implement the Government’s agenda, PCO sets the strategic direction for the Public Service. It also plays a key role in the selection, management and development of senior leaders in the Public Service. | The Public Service has the talent, capacity and management frameworks to provide advice on and implement the Government’s agenda. | Support management and accountability of government |
The Public Service is engaged in renewal activities. The Public Service Renewal initiative is provided with advice and support. The Committee of Senior Officials is provided with the support needed. |
PCO provides leadership for public service renewal through research, analysis and planning. Staff work closely with other departments and agencies to undertake or arrange for the research and thinking needed to ensure that the Public Service can serve the government and Canadians with excellence over the next few decades.
PCO also works with other central agencies in the advancement of the Government's public service management agenda to ensure the development and implementation of human resource management policies and programs that support excellence in management and service delivery.
Another key role is to develop and deliver human resource management policies and services for the effective recruitment, selection, retention and management of Governor‑in-Council appointees, including deputy ministers, chief executive officers of Crown corporations and heads of agencies.
In addition, PCO staff provide the support for the Deputy Minister Committee of Senior Officials (COSO) that is needed for members to understand and manage the challenges facing the leadership cadre of the Public Service and to develop a culture of high performance to ensure institutions have the capacity, now and in the future, to support and deliver on the Government’s agenda. Staff also provide expert advice to the Associate Secretary to the Cabinet and the Clerk of the Privy Council on issues related to the committee’s work.
Program Activity Four:
Provide commissions of inquiry with financial and administrative support
Financial Resources (thousands of dollars)
2008–09 | 2009–10 | 2010–11 | |
---|---|---|---|
Main Estimates | 1,316 | - | - |
Planned Spending | 1,316 | - | - |
Human Resources (full-time equivalents)
2008–09 | 2009–10 | 2010–11 | |
---|---|---|---|
Main Estimates | 4 | - | - |
Planned | 4 | - | - |
Activity | Description | Expected Result | Priorities Supported | Performance Indicators |
---|---|---|---|---|
Provide commissions of inquiry with financial and administrative support | The Privy Council Office provides financial and administrative advice, guidance and support to commissions of inquiry from initial start-up to conclusion. | Commissions of inquiry receive required resources as well as advice and guidance on financial and administrative matters. | Strengthen PCO’s internal management practices | The commissions of inquiry have received appropriate resources in a timely manner. |
Commissions of inquiry receive administrative and financial support from the Privy Council Office. When such an entity is created, PCO is responsible for initiating arrangements for accommodation, furnishings and equipment to ensure that the work of the commission, task force or inquiry proceeds efficiently. PCO also ensures that administrative advice and support are provided to each commission on an ongoing basis for hiring staff, acquisition services, contracting, financial services, access to funding, records management, payroll support, posting of transcripts on the Internet, translation, security and systems support.
Strategic Outcome: |
The Government’s agenda and decision making are supported and implemented and the institutions of government are supported and maintained | |||||
(thousands of dollars) | Expected Results | Planned Spending | Alignment to Government of Canada Outcome Area | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2008–09 | 2009–10 | 2010–11 | ||||
Provide professional, non-partisan policy advice and support to the Prime Minister and portfolio ministers | The Prime Minister and portfolio ministers are able to carry out their respective responsibilities | 99,473 | 99,623 | 98,642 | Outcome number four: “Government Affairs” | |
Provide advice and secretariat support to Cabinet and Cabinet committees | Functioning and integrity of Cabinet decision making are maintained | 20,763 | 20,763 | 20,763 | ||
Provide overall leadership and direction to the Public Service in support of the Government’s agenda | The Public Service has the talent, capacity and management frameworks to provide advice on and implement the Government’s agenda | 3,573 | 3,573 | 3,573 | ||
Provide commissions of inquiry with administrative and financial support | Commissions of inquiry receive required resources as well as advice and guidance on financial and administrative matters | 1,316 | - | - | ||
Total | 125,125 | 123,959 | 122,978 |
All PCO’s program activities support the Government of Canada outcome number four: “Government Affairs.” PCO plays an important, supportive role to ensure a whole-of-government approach and integrated response to issues that affect Canadians. It works across portfolio boundaries and helps other government departments and agencies meet their responsibilities, deliver on their core mandates and, ultimately, serve Canadians better.
List of Tables available online
The following tables can be found on the Secretariat’s website at http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/rpp/2008-2009/info/info-eng.asp.
2. Evaluations
3. Internal Audits
4. Services received without charges
5. Source of non respendable Revenue
Name of Evaluation | Evaluation Type | Status | Expected Completion Date |
---|---|---|---|
Career on the Move Development Program | Employment Equity Program | Planned | Quarter 4, 2008-09 |
1. Name of Internal Audit | 2. Audit Type | 3. Status | 4. Expected Completion Date |
---|---|---|---|
Contracting in PCO | Contracting | Planned | Quarter 3, 2008-09 |
Information Technology Security in PCO | Information technology | Planned | Quarter 4, 2008-09 |
(thousands of dollars) | 2008–09 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 |
---|---|---|---|
Accommodation provided by Public Works and Government Services Canada | 10,855 | 10,755 | 10,772 |
Contributions covering employer’s share of employees’ insurance premiums and expenditures paid by the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (excluding revolving funds) | 5,736 | 5,709 | 5,663 |
Workers compensation coverage provided by Human Resources and Social Development Canada | 10 | 9 | 9 |
Salary and associated expenditures of legal services provided by Justice Canada | 1,281 | 1,332 | 1,385 |
Total services received without charge | 17,882 | 17,805 | 17,829 |
Non-Respendable Revenue
(thousands of dollars) |
Forecast Revenue 2007–08 |
Planned Revenue 2008–09 |
Planned Revenue 2009–10 |
Planned Revenue 2010–11 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Provide professional, non-partisan policy advice and support to the Prime Minister and portfolio ministers | ||||
Refunds of previous year’s expenditures | 72 | 72 | 72 | 72 |
Adjustments to prior year’s payables | 516 | 516 | 516 | 516 |
Proceeds from the disposal of surplus Crown assets | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 |
Revenues pursuant to the Access to Information and Privacy Act | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Proceeds from sales | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Sundries | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 |
629 | 629 | 629 | 629 | |
Provide non-partisan policy advice and secretariat support to Cabinet and Cabinet committees | ||||
Refunds of previous year’s expenditures | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
Adjustments to prior year’s payables | 108 | 108 | 108 | 108 |
Proceeds from the disposal of surplus Crown assets | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Sale of statutory instruments pursuant to the Statutory Instruments Act | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Revenues pursuant to the Access to Information and Privacy Act | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Proceeds from sales | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Sundries | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
132 | 132 | 132 | 132 | |
Provide overall leadership and direction to the Public Service in support of the Government’s agenda | ||||
Refunds of previous year’s expenditures | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Adjustments to prior year’s payables | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 |
Proceeds from the disposal of surplus Crown assets | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | |
Provide commissions of inquiry with administrative and financial support | ||||
Refunds of previous year’s expenditures | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Adjustments to prior year’s payables | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
Total - Refunds of previous year's expenditures | 90 | 90 | 90 | 90 |
Total - Adjustments to prior year's payables | 650 | 650 | 650 | 650 |
Total - Proceeds from the disposal of surplus Crown assets | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 |
Total - Sale of statutory instruments pursuant to the Statutory Instruments Act | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Total - Revenues pursuant to the Access to Information and Privacy Act | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Total - Proceeds from sales | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
Total – Sundries | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
Total Non-Respendable Revenue | 791 | 791 | 791 | 791 |
Christine Miles
Deputy Executive Director Public Appointments Commission Secretariat
I submit for tabling in Parliament, the 2008-2009 Report on Plans and Priorities (RPP) for Public Appointments Commission Secretariat.
This document has been prepared based on the reporting principles contained in Guide for the Preparation of Part III of the 2008–2009 Estimates: Reports on Plans and Priorities and Departmental Performance Reports:
Christine Miles
Deputy Executive Director
Public Appointments Commission Secretariat
The Public Appointments Commission Secretariat’s role is to provide advice and support with respect to the development of the Public Appointments Commission and once the Commission is established to assist it with the development and implementation of a Code of Practice, with its audits and with the preparation of its annual report to the Prime Minister and to Parliament.
Organizational Information
The Public Appointments Commission Secretariat is within the portfolio of the Prime Minister, reflecting the prerogative of the Prime Minister with respect to Governor-in-Council appointments.
From April 2007 to November 2007, there were no personnel in the Public Appointments Commission Secretariat. A skeleton staff of two, a Deputy Executive Director and an Administrative Assistant, were assigned at the beginning of November 2007.
Voted and Statutory Items Displayed in the Main Estimates
(thousands of dollars)
|
Truncated Vote or Statutory Wording |
2008–09 |
2007–08 |
---|---|---|---|
25 |
Program expenditures |
945 |
945 |
(S) |
Contributions to employee benefit plans |
122 |
129 |
|
Total Secretariat |
1,067 |
1,074 |
Planned Spending of Secretariat and Full-time Equivalents
(thousands of dollars) |
Forecast |
Planned |
Planned |
Planned |
---|---|---|---|---|
Oversight of Governor-in-Council appointments |
1,074 |
1,067 |
1,067 |
1,067 |
Total Main Estimates |
1,074 |
1,067 |
1,067 |
1,067 |
Total Planned Spending |
1,074 |
1,067 |
1,067 |
1,067 |
Plus: Cost of services received without charge |
116 |
149 |
149 |
149 |
Total Spending of Secretariat |
1,190 |
1 216 |
1 216 |
1 216 |
Full-time Equivalents |
2 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
Financial Resources (thousands of dollars)
|
2008–09 |
2009–10 |
2010–11 |
---|---|---|---|
Main Estimates |
1,067 |
1,067 |
1,067 |
Planned Spending |
1,067 |
1,067 |
1,067 |
Human Resources (full-time equivalents)
|
2008–09 |
2009–10 |
2010–11 |
---|---|---|---|
Main Estimates |
4 |
4 |
4 |
Planned |
4 |
4 |
4 |
Priorities of Secretariat
Name |
Type |
---|---|
1. Support the Commission |
Ongoing |
2. Build the organization |
Ongoing |
3. Develop the Code of Practice |
Ongoing |
4. Monitor, audit and report |
Ongoing |
Priority Statement
Planning environment
The Secretariat was created to support the Government in achieving its objective of a more open, transparent and competency-based selection process for Governor-in-Council appointments to agencies, boards, commissions and Crown corporations. The Secretariat will continue to lay the groundwork for the establishment of the Public Appointments Commission, which is provided for in the Federal Accountability Act.
Priority 1: Support the Commission
Once commissioners have been appointed, the Secretariat will provide policy and operational support to the chair and members.
Priority 2: Build the Organization
In order to support the Commission once established, the Secretariat is implementing the plans for its organizational structure including fulfilling planning and reporting obligations under Section 1.1 of the Financial Administration Act.
Priority 3: Develop the Code of Practice
The Secretariat will continue to research best practices, conduct literature reviews, consult with federal departments, agencies, boards, commissions and Crown corporations and with other levels of government in Canada and abroad to develop, for the early consideration of the Commission, a Code of Practice for Governor-in-Council appointments. Once established, the Code would also address audit and reporting obligations.
Priority 4: Monitor, audit and report
The Federal Accountability Act requires the Commission to monitor the application of the code of practice, audit related activities, and provide the Prime Minister with an annual report for tabling in both Houses of Parliament. The role of the Commission is to ensure selection processes within federal organizations are efficient and respect the intent and principles of the Code of Practice. It also needs to ensure organizations are in a position to meet the needs of the Governor-in-Council with regard to the timelines and integrity of the selection process.
The Secretariat will develop a performance management framework and establish the appropriate reporting procedures required to gather the necessary data for the preparation of the annual report.
Program Activities by Strategic Outcome
(thousands dollars) |
Expected Results |
Planned Spending |
Contributes to the following priority |
||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2008–09 |
2009–10 |
2010–11 |
|||
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 |
Priorities 1, 2, 3 and 4 |
|||
Oversight of Governor-in-Council appointments |
Ensured fair and competency-based processes are in place for the recruitment and selection of qualified individual for Governor-in-Council appointments |
1,067 |
1,067 |
1,067 |
Supports all priorities |
Total |
1,067 |
1,067 |
1,067 |
The Secretariat was created to support the Government in achieving its objective of a more open, transparent and competency-based selection process for Governor-in-Council appointments to agencies, boards, commissions and Crown corporations. The Secretariat will continue to lay the groundwork for the establishment of the Public Appointments Commission, which is provided for in the Federal Accountability Act. Once the Commission has been appointed, the Secretariat will provide direct policy and operational support.
Based on consultations conducted in fiscal year 2006-2007, the Secretariat is working on defining the principles and practices that will form the base of a future Code of Practice. This Code of Practice would, when implemented, provide for greater consistency and transparency of the Governor-in-Council appointment processes and would help ensure that appointments are based on key principles. It would also be flexible enough to allow appointments to be made in ways that reflect the wide variations in mandate and scope of agencies, boards, commissions and Crown corporations. This work requires research into Canadian and international best practices on public appointment procedures.
The Secretariat is developing procedures to produce the Commission’s annual report, which would include statistics and information on the public appointment processes; audit and complaint processes; and a performance management framework. In the development of these tasks, the Secretariat works with key stakeholders including the Senior Personnel and Special Projects Secretariat of the Privy Council Office.
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 Governor-in-Council appointments
Financial Resources (thousands of dollars)
|
2008–09 |
2009–10 |
2010–11 |
---|---|---|---|
Main Estimates |
1,067 |
1,067 |
1,067 |
Planned Spending |
1,067 |
1,067 |
1,067 |
Human Resources (full-time equivalents)
|
2008–09 |
2009–10 |
2010–11 |
---|---|---|---|
Main Estimates |
4 |
4 |
4 |
Planned |
4 |
4 |
4 |
This covers the activities relating to and including support to develop and establish a code of practice for appointments by the Governor in Council and ministers to agencies, boards, commissions and Crown corporations; oversee, review and report on the selection process for appointments and reappointments by the Governor in Council to agencies, boards, commissions and Crown corporations, and to ensure that every such process is widely made public and conducted in a fair, open and transparent manner and that the appointments are based on merit; evaluate and approve the selection processes proposed by ministers to fill vacancies and determine reappointments within their portfolios, monitor and review those processes and ensure that they are implemented as approved; audit appointment policies and practices in order to determine whether the code of practice is being observed; report publicly on compliance with the code of practice; and provide public education and training of public servants involved in appointments and reappointments processes regarding the code of practice.
All priorities of the Public Appointments Commission Secretariat support this Program Activity by ensuring the organization is well structured in preparation for the eventual establishment of the Commission.
The performance management framework required for measuring the success of the Public Appointments Commission and its Secretariat will be developed in 2008-2009.
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 | |||||
(thousands of dollars) |
Expected Results |
Planned Spending |
Alignment to Government of Canada Outcome Area |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2008–09 |
2009–10 |
2010–11 |
||||
Oversight of Governor-in-Council appointments | Ensured fair and competency-based processes are in place for the recruitment and selection of qualified individual for Governor-in-Council appointments |
1,067 |
1,067 |
1,067 |
All Government of Canada Outcomes |
|
Total |
1,067 |
1,067 |
1,067 |
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.
Program Activity # 1 contributes to the achievement of all Government of Canada Outcomes by ensuring that selection processes for federal Governor-in-Council appointments are fair and competency-based.
The Table 2: Services received without charge can be found on the Treasury Board Secretariat’s website at http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/rpp/2008-2009/info/info-eng.asp.(thousands of dollars) |
2008–09 |
2009–10 |
2010–11 |
---|---|---|---|
Accommodation provided by the Privy Council Office (PCO) |
93 |
93 |
93 |
Contributions covering employers’ share of employees’ insurance premiums and expenditures paid by the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (excluding revolving funds) |
56 |
56 |
56 |
Workers compensation coverage provided by Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC) |
- |
- |
- |
Salary and associated expenditures of legal services provided by the Department of Justice Canada |
- |
- |
- |
Total services received without charge |
149 |
149 |
149 |