Evaluation in the Government of Canada

Across the Government of Canada, evaluation is the systematic collection and analysis of evidence on the outcomes of programs to make judgments about their relevance and performance, and to examine alternative ways to deliver them or to achieve the same results. Evaluation plays a key role in supporting government commitments for ensuring the value for money of its programs. Led by federal department and agency deputy heads, evaluation supports policy and program improvement, expenditure management, proposals to Cabinet and public reporting.

The new Treasury Board Policy on Evaluation

The Treasury Board’s new Policy on Evaluation and a supporting directive and standard came into effect on April 1, 2009. They introduce new requirements to strengthen the evaluation function in the Government of Canada.

With implementation of the new policy, directive and standard, a comprehensive and reliable base of evaluation information on the relevance and performance of government program spending will be created . The information will be available to support program managers and deputy heads, as well as Ministers and central agencies in decision-making.

Evaluation supports:

• accountability, through public reporting on results;
• expenditure management;
• management for results; and,
• policy and program improvement.

More information about these policy instruments, can be found on the Evaluation Policy Suite section of the TBS web site, or by contacting the Centre of Excellence for Evaluation at evaluation@tbs-sct.gc.ca.

About this Site and the Centre of Excellence for Evaluation

The Centre of Excellence for Evaluation (CEE) at the Treasury Board Secretariat provides functional leadership, including advice and guidance in the conduct, use and advancement of evaluation practices across the federal government. This site offers a broad range – and growing collection - of useful information, tools and resources for evaluation professionals in the federal government and others with an interest in evaluation.