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Response to Parliamentary Committees

The PSC did not provide input into government responses to Parliamentary Committees during 2007-2008.

Response to the Auditor General

Modernization of Human Resources Management - Managing the Reforms (Chapter 3 of the February 2005 Report of the Auditor General of Canada)

In 2007-08, the PSC made significant changes to its Staffing Management Accountability Framework (SMAF) that describes the expectations and indicators for departments and agencies. The new SMAF puts more focus on improved short-term outcomes concerning flexibility and efficiency results and staffing values, as well as key change areas needed for long-term success of the PSEA. The new SMAF together with the Departmental Staffing Accountability Report are used for annual monitoring of departmental staffing activities and are integrated with the PSC's broader evaluation framework it established to prepare for the five-year review of the current PSEA. Both the annual monitoring activities and evaluation framework will be used to further establish meaningful performance measures, gather critical benchmarking data, and contribute to the continuous improvement of its ongoing oversight activities. In 2007-08, the PSC piloted a new PSC Survey of Staffing that is better aligned with the current staffing regime and the five-year evaluation framework. Also, in 2007-08, the PSC worked with central agencies to better coordinate human resource reporting for the federal government and further work is planned for 2008-09. Like all departments, the PSC uses the RPP/DPR to inform Parliament of its progress, although the Annual Report is the main vehicle for reporting on implementation of reforms under the new Act.

Response to the Public Service Commission on External Audits

In carrying out its audits of staffing activities of departments and agencies, the PSC assesses the integrity of departmental staffing activities and makes recommendations for improvements to deputy heads. The results of these audits are reported to Parliament. In these audits, the PSC may also identify areas for improvement to the PSC's own operations. In the fall of 2007, the PSC committed to making adjustments to its prioirty administration system as reported in its Audit of the Movement of Public Servants between the Federal Public Service and Ministers' Offices. In the fall of 2006, there were three audits in which the PSC made commitments to improve areas of its own operations. These commitments were reported in the audits of Acting Appointments to and Within the EX Group; Readiness for the New Public Service Employment Act and Follow-up Audit of the Military Police Complaints Commission.

The PSC has taken steps to ensure that these commitments are respected. Progress on action plans to remedy weaknesses is monitored by the Internal Audit Directorate and the Internal Audit Committee. The Audit, Evaluation and Studies Branch is responsible for conducting follow-up audits, which are reported in accordance with its Branch standards.