ARCHIVED - Public Service Commission of Canada

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

In 2007-2008, 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 Public Service Employment Act (PSEA). In 2008-2009, the new SMAF (with minor modifications) together with the Departmental Staffing Accountability Report, are used for annual monitoring of departmental/agency staffing activities and are integrated with the PSC’s broader evaluation framework that was established to prepare for the five-year review of the 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 2008-2009, the PSC launched the first staffing survey that was piloted the previous year and is better aligned with the current staffing monitoring regime and the five-year evaluation framework. In 2008-2009, the PSC also worked with central agencies to assist in the development of key human resource management indicators. In addition, the PSC worked with key agencies to develop a better way to estimate employment equity group representation in appointments. Like all departments and agencies, the PSC uses the Report on Plans and Priorities and the Departmental Performance Report to inform Parliament of its progress, although the Annual Report is the main vehicle for reporting on implementation of reforms under the PSEA.

In carrying out its audits of staffing activities of departments and agencies, the PSC assesses the integrity of organizational staffing activities and makes recommendations to deputy heads regarding improvements. 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 2008, in an Audit of Executive (EX) Appointments, the PSC made commitments to improve areas of its own operations. These commitments related to improvements to the PSC Executive resources, clarification of relevant PSC policies and guidelines and changes to the PSC monitoring of Executive appointments.

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.