ARCHIVED - Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade - Report

The Government of Canada has the information, intelligence and advice it needs to make informed decisions on foreign and international economic policies, programs and priorities.

Level of satisfaction of the government with the information, intelligence and advice. Target: significant level of satisfaction demonstrated by approval and use of advice.

Met all: Approval and use of advice (notably in relation to ongoing implementation of the Global Commerce Strategy, in multilateral forums such as the G-8 and the UN, and in the management of Canada’s relations with the United States) demonstrated a significant level of satisfaction.

Management Accountability Framework (MAF) assessment: Area of Management (AoM) 4 (Effectiveness of Extra-Organizational Contribution) and 5 (Quality of Analysis in Treasury Board Submissions). Target: MAF assessment results are “acceptable” or higher.

Mostly met: AoM 4: Acceptable (MAF VI);

AoM 5: Opportunity for Improvement (MAF VII).

Use of consultation mechanisms with stakeholders. Target: use of consultations in all major policy and program initiatives.

Met all: Stakeholder consultations were used in all major policy and programming initiatives.

Coordinated whole-of government response to the January 12, 2010, Haiti earthquake, which killed some 223,000 people, injured over 300,000 and displaced some 1.3 million people; and led international response to longer-term reconstruction and recovery in Haiti.¹

Canadian response in line with Canadian and international guidelines.

Timely and efficient whole-of-government response to the earthquake.

Deployment of additional Canadian police to Haiti for peacekeeping.

Exceeded: Coordinated one of Canada’s largest natural disaster responses, facilitating the deployment of over 75 technical and humanitarian civilian experts and 2,000 military staff to provide humanitarian assistance, equipment, engineering, medical and water purification as well as Canada’s relief supplies.

Rapid post-disaster needs assessment and disbursements of nearly $8 million to support the Haitian National Police and civil society organizations in providing facilities, equipment and training to help rebuild community security.

Arranged with whole-of-government partners for the recruitment and a phased 50% increase in deployments of Canadian police to Haiti.

Secured diplomatic clearances for Canadian personnel, vessels, aircraft, equipment and supplies in or transiting through Haiti, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic.

Consular and other DFAIT staff worked on a 24/7 basis, handling over 49,500 calls in the department’s Emergency Operations Centre and repatriating some 4,620 Canadians.

The Government of Canada hosted and chaired the Ministerial Preparatory Conference on Haiti in Montreal on January 25, which established a clear and common vision within the international community for the early recovery and longer-term reconstruction of Haiti.

Worked closely with CIDA and the Department of Finance to ensure a leadership role for Canada at the Haiti Reconstruction Conference chaired by the UN in March 2010.

Demonstrate leadership in Canada’s re-engagement in the Americas by collaborating with strategic partners in the region on key issues, including Haiti, and by highlighting important initiatives on economic prosperity, security and democratic governance.

Whole-of-government coordination of emergency and crisis response.

Policy advice and programming guidance provided.

Met all: START funded International Crisis Group reports on Haiti (and Colombia), and the department led emergency response and education initiatives and facilitated European participation in relief efforts after the Haiti earthquake.

Established the Regional Office for Peace and Security in Panama City and the Andean Unit for Democratic Governance in Lima, Peru.

Provided policy advice on free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations with Peru, Colombia, Panama, the members of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the Central America Four members (El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua) and the Dominican Republic, and on efforts toward modernization of the Canada-Costa Rica FTA.

Chaired the General Committee of the OAS General Assembly as well as the Committee on Hemispheric Security and took a leadership role on corporate social responsibility through regional workshops and an OAS General Assembly resolution.

Hosted a policy conference attended by senior Canadian and Brazilian officials as part of a series of substantive discussions on key bilateral and multilateral issues.

At the Summit of the Americas, increased callable capital of $5 billion to the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and supported a General Capital Increase at the IDB annual meeting in Cancun in March 2010 to support economic recovery in the region.

A new office was opened in Brazil to forge greater economic ties with that country, and the Joint Economic and Trade Council consultations were re-established after a 10-year hiatus, with a mandate of exchanging information, facilitating trade and promoting investment relations.

Celebrated Canada’s 20th year in the OAS with high-level events and programming that promoted the importance of Canada’s engagement and dedication to the region.

Provide strategic advice in support of the Government of Canada’s relations with the new United States administration.

Policy advice and guidance on foreign policy and international trade provided.

Met all: Organized a visit to Washington by the Committee on Global Trends, Foreign Affairs and Defence (GTFAD) in January 2010 and provided policy advice on the management of Canada-U.S. relations on the Arctic.

Provided trade policy advice on a range of issues, including the “Buy American” provisions in U.S. economic stimulus legislation, negotiations leading to the conclusion of the Canada-U.S. Agreement on Government Procurement (signed on February 12, 2010), as well as issues related to the Softwood Lumber Agreement and technical barriers affecting trade.

Provided analysis and advice on the management of bilateral export control issues with the United States, notably concerning the International Traffic in Arms Regulations, and provided analysis and support in advance of the launch of negotiations with the U.S. to amend the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement.

Provide ongoing support for Canada’s whole-of-government engagement in Afghanistan, and coordination with international allies and partners.

Coordination of Canadian policy through whole-of-government approach.

Coordination with NATO allies, the UN and key international partners.

Met all: Launched the G‑8 Afghanistan-Pakistan Border Region Prosperity Initiative at the G‑8 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Gatineau in March 2010, in partnership with the Governments of Afghanistan and Pakistan, the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank.

Engaged with allies at NATO to coordinate and advance collective interests on Afghanistan and hosted a meeting of Regional Command South allies (Netherlands, the United Kingdom, the United States, Denmark, Estonia, Romania, Australia and NATO) in October 2009.

The Global Peace and Security Fund (GPSF) provided $15.2 million in funding for HQ Kandahar operations and new needs in the field.

Provide integrated political and economic policy advice on emerging markets such as China, India and Brazil.

Policy advice on emerging markets provided.

Whole-of-government coordination of policy advice on emerging markets.

Number of departments engaged in policy planning talks.

Met all: Provided trade policy advice on Canada’s engagement with large emerging markets. Canada and India launched a Joint Study to explore the parameters of a possible comprehensive economic partnership agreement.

Undertook policy planning talks and organized high-level interdepartmental engagement (20 departments) for consultations with government and non-government leaders from Brazil, China and the United States.

Provided policy advice and support for major visits, such as the Prime Minister’s and the Foreign and Trade Ministers’ visits to China and India; 10 Canadian deputy ministers’ visits to Brazil and reciprocal visits of 25 deputy ministers to Canada; and for major initiatives, such as the first round of the Canada-China Strategic Working Group engaging China on a broad range of issues. The department also provided policy advice for the Canada-China Joint Statement on a bilateral action plan.

Organized a Canada-Brazil conference to discuss key issues of importance to the bilateral relationship and opened a new office in Brazil to promote commercial engagement.

Develop policies and programs to address international security, crime and terrorism threats and to foster greater security cooperation in priority regions.

Development of Anti-Crime Capacity Building Program.

Use of Canada’s G-8 presidency.

Met all: Developed the Anti-Crime Capacity Building Program, established in December 2009.

Developed and promoted internationally, especially in the G‑8 context, an initiative to combat the growing threat of “partnerships of convenience” between criminal networks and terrorism.

Developed policy responses to international security developments in various regions, such as Darfur and southern Sudan, engaging partners in coordinated initiatives and mandate renewals.

Provide leadership in planning and coordinating Canada’s positions on international security issues, in cooperation with key partners in the hemisphere (the United States and Mexico) as well as with the G‑8 and NATO.

Reflection of Canadian policy positions at international forums.

G‑20 endorsement of UN Convention Against Corruption review mechanism.

Met all: Ensured Afghanistan was reflected as a priority in multilateral strategies and projects, including with NATO allies and G-8 partners.

Canadian leadership secured G‑20 endorsement in the Pittsburgh Leaders’ Statement to develop "an effective, transparent and inclusive UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) review mechanism," which was successfully negotiated at the 2009 Conference of UNCAC Parties.

Led Canadian participation at the NATO Summit and Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, which advanced Canada’s positions and international security interests.

Bilateral consultations with Mexico increased cooperation for training and capacity building on police professionalization, justice sector reform, and counter-narcotics programs and information sharing.

Supported international efforts and U.S. leadership on the Iranian nuclear issue by advocating for the fourth round of UN Security Council sanctions to address Iran’s nuclear program and calling Iran to account for its nuclear non-compliance at the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Provide comprehensive and streamlined policy advice to DFAIT ministers and senior managers, based on regular monitoring of ministerial priorities and policy coordination and consultation with other departments, notably through the Deputy Ministers’ Committee on Global Trends, Foreign Affairs, and Defence (GTFAD).

Research and policy advice provided.

Mechanism established to check actions against government priorities.

Other government departments are consulted and contribute to policy development at most senior levels.

Met all: Developed processes for senior managers to review progress reports and to report to the Prime Minister on progress against priorities. As co-chair of GTFAD (with CIDA), DFAIT developed research products and coordinated interdepartmental research and analysis.

Provided strategic guidance and policy advice to the Deputy Ministers’ Committee on Conflict and Fragility, securing broad support for key policies to inform collective analyses of emerging crises and improve the government’s engagement in fragile and conflict-affected states.

Developed trade policy advice regarding issues at the World Trade Organization and other multilateral forums, bilateral and regional trade negotiations, and dispute settlement and market access issues impacting Canadian businesses abroad.

Lead in planning for Canada’s turn as host of the 2010 G‑8 Summit, as well as developing and coordinating Canada’s policy priorities for its G‑8 presidency in 2010.

Identification of policy positions and priorities.

Interdepartmental collaboration and leading development of Muskoka initiative on maternal and child health.

Exceeded: Prepared the Muskoka Summit policy agenda, including preliminary negotiation of the Muskoka Declaration, offering firm G‑8 views on a range of global issues, including security, development and the environment.

Planned and coordinated Canada’s policy positions and priorities on a range of global issues within the context of Canada’s G‑8 presidency.

Organized an interdepartmental and civil society consultative process to ensure alignment of G‑8 and G‑20 leaders’ meeting agendas with Canadian foreign and international economic priorities, in addition to organizing domestic civil society outreach sessions on a range of G‑8 and G‑20 issues.

Conducted extensive international outreach in Asia, Latin America and Africa to communicate Canadian G-8 and G-20 priorities.

In addition to the G-8, also assumed responsibility for G-20 chairmanship and the June 2010 G-20 Summit in Toronto. Conducted initial international negotiations on Toronto Summit agenda.

Prepare and host the G-8 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Gatineau in March 2010.

Consensus on key issues and statements.

G-8 members’ satisfaction with Gatineau Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.

Exceeded: Identified and elaborated priorities for the G‑8 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Gatineau, which resulted in substantive discussion on the linkages between drugs, crime and terrorism and included a Chair’s Statement on general security issues, including issues related to Iran and North Korea, as well as agreement on an influential statement on non-proliferation that helped prepare the ground for the Nuclear Security Summit and the Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference.

Identified key issues and priorities, consistent with Canadian positions, resulting in a productive and substantive discussion by G‑8 foreign ministers, who qualified the Gatineau meeting as the best in years, and which restored support for its role.

Work with partner departments and stakeholders to improve the effectiveness of Canada’s International Assistance Envelope (IAE); develop and refine Canadian foreign policy with respect to the Arctic (in support of the government’s Northern Strategy); and support the government’s goal to create a democracy promotion agency.

Interdepartmental processes and consultation mechanisms on IAE effectiveness developed.

Finalization of Arctic Foreign Policy.

Establishment of regional policy centres.

Met all: Created an interdepartmental working group to improve the effectiveness of the IAE, which agreed to revisions to the IAE management framework.

Finalized the Arctic Foreign Policy (released in August 2010) to develop a more strategic approach to international Arctic policy issues, working with partner departments, territorial governments and Canadian indigenous organizations.

Established the Andean Unit for Democratic Governance in Lima, Peru.

Hosted the Arctic Ocean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in March 2010, focusing on issues of relevance to the Arctic coastal states, such as continental shelf delineation and potential public safety challenges.²

Established the Canadian International Centre for the Arctic Region in Oslo, Norway.³

Align the department’s organization and focus on delivery of the government’s foreign and trade policy priorities as well as change the way the department operates to respond more quickly and flexibly to new and emerging priorities as they arise.

Implementation of the six core areas of the Transformation Agenda, with a particular focus on developing the New Business Model.

Realignment of HQ to focus on government priorities.

Mostly met: The implementation of the Transformation Agenda launched in 2008-2009 continues on track, with particular focus this year on the development of the New Business Model, which introduced new ways of doing business; modernized operations in Canada and at missions abroad; and focused DFAIT on its core business priorities.

Reorganized the Geographic divisions and the missions to reflect the new regional and thematic approach, emphasizing priority countries and making better use of expertise and resources. The number of Geographic divisions at HQ was reduced from 32 to 22. Six missions were closed and 13 missions or offices were opened (seven officially and five under interim operations), for a total of 173 missions. More of the responsibility for bilateral relations was shifted to the missions and there is now closer collaboration between missions and HQ on briefing materials.

Established the Investment Cooperation Program (INC) in January 2010.

Strengthen the department’s policy and program capacity in areas that are at the core of its mandate: peace and security, trade and investment, international law and human rights as well as geographic expertise.

Initiatives taken to strengthen the department’s policy capacity.

Number of e-discussions held.

Policy advice and assessment mechanisms established, which reach out to a broad group inside and outside government.

Mostly met: Analyzed and presented policy implications and options on key priorities through a stronger policy development capacity and effective networks.

Enhanced internal and external engagement processes, adopted an open policy-development model, used e-collaboration, and focused on policy at the Deputy Ministers’ annual leadership conference.

Created the Global Emerging Issues Network of interdepartmental policy directorates to improve horizontal coordination on trends analysis and launched the “global citizens” initiative to develop strategic policy that better aligns the department with the growing numbers of Canadians abroad.

Organized two public “e-discussions” (on the European Union and on the G‑8/G‑20) using e-collaboration tools to engage the public on policy. The EU process resulted in 572 comment submissions and nine policy paper submissions. The G-8/G-20 process led to 186 comment submissions and six policy paper submissions.

Organized an extensive outreach tour to Canadian universities and civil society organizations by senior department officials to bring greater profile to Canada’s engagement abroad in the areas of democracy, security and prosperity.

The Global Peace and Security Fund funded five think-tank papers on Haiti, Colombia and Sudan that reached 25,000 recipients, focusing regional media and government interest on governance crises.

Developed an informal trade policy research network to increase dialogue with external experts (e.g. academics, think tanks) and assist in the development of innovative policy ideas.

Strengthened capacity in DFAIT’s Office of the Chief Economist, and conducted the first econometric analysis of the economic impact of the Trade Commissioner Service, which demonstrated that for every dollar Canada invests in TCS services, $27 of increased exports is generated.

Increase the availability and timeliness of information on international security and stability issues.

Degree of expansion of Global Security Reporting Program (GSRP).

Met all: The GSRP, designed to collect, evaluate and disseminate overseas security-related information, expanded to 20 officers located in Africa, the Middle East, Europe, Asia and the Americas, who delivered about 800 timely reports on international security and stability issues, which received positive feedback from other government departments and foreign partners.

Canada’s diplomatic efforts and programs engage and influence international players to protect and build support for Canadian interests and values.

Reflection of Canadian foreign and international economic policy priorities in bilateral and multilateral actions, decisions, declarations and agreements. Target: significant level of support for Canadian positions in the international community.

Met all: Canadian positions were reflected in the international response to the Haiti earthquake, in the Copenhagen Accord, at the G-8 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, at the UN and in various trade negotiations and agreements as directed under the Global Commerce Strategy.

Effectiveness of programs in achieving results and aligning with priorities. Target: program effectiveness.

Met all: All planned projects were completed on or ahead of schedule.

Implement the government’s Global Commerce Strategy to deepen Canadian access to global markets for trade, investment and innovation by seeking to conclude negotiations on free trade agreements (FTAs), foreign investment promotion and protection agreements (FIPAs), air transport agreements and S&T agreements and arrangements. In addition, launch negotiations with the European Union for a comprehensive economic agreement and seek further negotiations with other partners.

Negotiate and/or conclude FTAs, FIPAs, air transport agreements and S&T agreements.

Met all: DFAIT’s ongoing implementation of the government’s Global Commerce Strategy resulted in the implementation of bilateral free trade agreements with Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland (the European Free Trade Association) and Peru, and efforts toward bringing concluded agreements with Colombia, Jordan and Panama into force.

DFAIT’s efforts also enabled the launch of negotiations toward a comprehensive economic and trade agreement with the European Union, and toward a free trade agreement with Ukraine, as well as free trade agreement talks with CARICOM, the Republic of Korea, the Central America Four (El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua) and the Dominican Republic. FTA exploratory meetings were held with Morocco and Turkey, and a Joint Study was launched with India to explore the parameters of a possible comprehensive economic partnership agreement as part of exploratory discussions.

Foreign investment promotion and protection agreements were signed with Jordan, the Czech Republic, the Slovak Republic, Latvia and Romania, and negotiations were successfully concluded with Kuwait, Bahrain, Madagascar and Hungary. DFAIT also engaged in FIPA negotiations with China, India, Mongolia, Poland, Indonesia, Vietnam, Tunisia and Tanzania.

Air transport agreements were signed with the European Union, Japan, South Africa, Cuba, Morocco, Ethiopia, Tunisia and El Salvador.

Canada concluded various other bilateral agreements, such as an agreement on S&T cooperation with Brazil, a double taxation agreement with Namibia and a customs mutual assistance agreement with South Africa, updated an agreement with China on maritime transport, and concluded MOUs on agricultural research and training and on mineral resources trade, investment and technology.

Implement the Americas Strategy, with a focus on specific initiatives to promote greater economic prosperity, security and democratic governance through enhanced bilateral and multilateral engagement.

Establishment of regional policy centres.

Advance, conclude and implement FTAs with partners in the Americas.

Met all: Launched the Regional Office for Peace and Security in Panama City and the Andean Unit for Democratic Governance in Lima.

Concluded negotiations for a free trade agreement with Panama, supported the parliamentary review and approval processes for the Canada-Colombia and Canada-Peru FTAs, and continued FTA talks with the 15 Caribbean member states of CARICOM, the Central America Four countries (El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua) and the Dominican Republic. Held initial discussions with Costa Rica to assess the feasibility of modernizing the Canada-Costa Rica FTA.

Air transport agreements were signed with the Cuba and El Salvador.

Delivered $42.8 million in Global Peace and Security Fund (GPSF) programming in the Americas, including $14.9 million to Haiti; $5 million to Colombia (e.g. legal support for 500 victims of conflict, including sexual violence); and $1 million to Guatemala, notably a basket fund to spur security and justice agencies to cooperate. Twenty-six GPSF projects ($12.4 million, or 106% of the initial allocation) for military and police peacekeeping training were fully implemented at the UN and in Africa and Latin America.

Position and support whole-of-government advocacy efforts to effectively manage Canada-United States relations. This integrated approach will involve implementing a comprehensive strategy for relations with the United States to address important bilateral issues, including the global economy, peace and security, trade relations, the border, energy and climate change, and development of common approaches to Afghanistan and the Arctic.

Enhanced Canadian influence with key U.S. interlocutors.

Expanded scope of Canada-U.S. Fulbright Program.

Conclusion of Canada-U.S. agreement on government procurement.

Engagement on a “common approach” on the Arctic internationally.

Met all: Enhanced Canadian influence with the United States on Afghanistan and supported the American focus on Afghanistan-Pakistan (the Holbrooke plan) through work on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.

Engaged with the United States on multilateral human rights and democracy assistance, development priorities (e.g. food security, maternal and child health, innovative development initiatives, security-focused civilian capacity proposal), G‑8/G‑20 policy and international architecture.

Enhanced Canada-U.S. relations on the Arctic through bilateral initiatives and engagement on a “common approach” internationally.

The United States actively participated in the Arctic Ocean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Chelsea, Quebec, and agreed to its outcomes with respect to a range of emerging issues in the Arctic.

In 2009, Canada and the United States agreed to the establishment of a binational educational exchange foundation, which amended the Canada-U.S. Fulbright Program to indefinite status.

A successful advocacy campaign (over 370 outcalls and events) in the United States advanced Canadian interests related to the “Buy American” provisions in U.S. economic stimulus legislation and advanced negotiations toward the conclusion of the Canada-U.S. Agreement on Government Procurement. Other successful advocacy efforts related to the Softwood Lumber Agreement and technical barriers and sanitary/phytosanitary issues affecting trade.

Advance Canada’s interests in the World Trade Organization (WTO) by working toward the successful conclusion of the Doha Round and by making effective use of the multilateral rules-based system to manage trade relations, including by the use of the WTO dispute settlement mechanism.

Canada’s interests in the WTO are effectively advanced.

Canada’s negotiating positions benefiting market access and protection of Canadian trade and investment conditions are advanced through appropriate advice and advocacy.

Met all: Used the WTO dispute settlement system to challenge foreign measures that form barriers to Canada’s export interests (e.g. U.S. country-of-origin labelling measures affecting livestock exports, Republic of Korea restrictions on beef exports and European Union proposed measures to prohibit the importation of seal products), as well as in support of Canadian interests in other disputes (e.g. third-party intervention in a U.S.-Mexico dispute on tuna) and in support of the resolution of market access barriers abroad (e.g. market access for Canadian pork after the H1N1 outbreak).

Continued to pursue Canada’s interests in the WTO Doha Round negotiations, as well as in WTO committees and other related processes.

Canada supported the ongoing work of the WTO in monitoring trade developments. This initiative has helped in encouraging governments to avoid the adoption of new protectionist measures in response to the global economic downturn.

Successfully managed the visit of WTO Director-General Pascal Lamy in November 2009 as well as Canadian participation in the December 2009 WTO Ministerial.

Prepare to host the 2010 G‑8 Summit in Huntsville, Ontario.

Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (FMM) addresses the security aspect of Canada’s G-8 presidency.

G-8 Leaders’ Declaration is prepared in advance of the G-8 Summit .

Engagement of domestic and international stakeholders.

Exceeded: Set the agenda for Canada’s G‑8 2010 presidency, ensuring that it reflected Canadian and G‑8 priorities; hosted the G‑8 FMM in Gatineau in March 2010, which addressed the security aspect of Canada’s G‑8 2010 presidency; and prepared for the G‑8 leaders’ discussion on security at the Muskoka Summit.

Conducted an extensive advocacy and public diplomacy campaign targeted to Canadian and international academia, business, government, labour and civil society to build support for G-8 Summit priorities, in particular the signature initiative on maternal and child health.

In September 2009, the Prime Minister announced that, in addition to hosting the G-8 Summit, Canada would host a G-20 Summit in Toronto in 2010.⁴ For the remainder of 2009-2010, DFAIT worked with its G-20 partners to set the G-20 agenda and begin negotiations in preparation for the June 2010 Summit, to be held immediately following the G-8 Summit. Also conducted extensive domestic and international outreach to build support for Canada’s G-20 Summit priorities.

Lead Canadian efforts to enhance North American competitiveness, in partnership with the United States and Mexico, by way of a reinvigorated NAFTA work plan that will remove or reduce barriers to trade and investment and by implementing liberalizing amendments to the NAFTA rules of origin.

Creation of a joint ad hoc working group.

NAFTA rules of origin liberalized.

Agreement by Mexico and the United States on NAFTA work plan.

Met all: Engaged in strategic dialogue with the U.S. Trade Representative regarding collaboration on an environmental side agreement to NAFTA, and created and chaired a joint ad hoc working group of senior trade officials to explore opportunities for collaboration on trade and the environment.

A reinvigorated NAFTA work plan, focusing on competitiveness, strengthened institutions, and communications and transparency, was launched with Mexico and the United States at the NAFTA Commission Meeting of Trade Ministers in October 2009.

Implemented amendments to liberalize NAFTA rules of origin in October 2009, affecting trilateral trade of over $140 billion; trilateral work was initiated with the United States and Mexico in support of future liberalizing amendments.

Implement a robust Arctic foreign policy that delivers on the international dimensions of the government’s Northern Strategy: environmental protection, social and economic development, improved governance and sovereignty.

Launch of regional policy centre for the Arctic.

Opportunities for greater Canadian profile on international Arctic issues are identified.

Met all: Raised Canada’s profile on international Arctic issues by hosting the March 2010 Arctic Ocean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, at which foreign ministers agreed to new and enhanced collaboration on key emerging issues of importance to Canada, launching the Northern Strategy (with Indian and Northern Affairs Canada) and delivering several speeches advocating and promoting Canada’s interests in the Arctic.

Launched the Canadian International Centre for the Arctic Region in Oslo to help promote and advance Canada’s Arctic interests.

Bilateral relations on the Arctic were strategically focused to Canada’s economic advantage, for example through the successful Canada-Russia Arctic and North Working Group meetings in June 2009, the Canada-Norway Dialogue in November 2009 and a proactive advocacy campaign in Europe.

Advance Canada’s environmental objectives through active engagement in comprehensive bilateral and global negotiations on climate change, including a post-2012 agreement on climate change and more intensive work on environment and energy security.

Reflection of Canada’s positions on major negotiating issues in the Copenhagen Accord.

Whole-of-government coordination between Canada’s positions in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and other multilateral forums.

Met all: The 15th UNFCCC Conference of the Parties culminated in the Copenhagen Accord, which represents a significant breakthrough in the global effort to address climate change, and which reflects Canada’s main positions; 135 countries have associated with the Accord, including all Annex 1 countries (except Turkey) and all the major emitters, representing 86.3% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

Advanced the resolution of transboundary energy-and-environment issues related to the development of U.S. and European legislation and regulations on non-conventional fuels that might have a negative impact on imported fuel derived from Canadian oil sands.

Co-led negotiation of environmental provisions in FTA side agreements, completing environmental side agreements to the trade agreements with Jordan and Panama.

Advanced Canadian environmental and trade interests in the negotiation of an international access and benefits agreement on biodiversity.

Advance Canada’s six priorities and signature projects in Afghanistan through a focused diplomatic engagement strategy. DFAIT is the lead department for promoting three of Canada’s priorities in Afghanistan: rule of law, reconciliation and enhanced border management.

Diplomatic engagement with Government of Afghanistan and international allies and partners.

London Conference reflects Canadian policy positions.

Statement issued at G-8 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on Afghanistan.

Met all: Conducted ongoing diplomatic engagement (by DFAIT Ministers, Canada’s Ambassador to Afghanistan, the Representative of Canada in Kandahar [RoCK] and relevant missions) with the Government of Afghanistan, allies (particularly the U.S., the U.K. and NATO), the UN and the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan focused on advancing Canada’s priorities and providing leadership in Kandahar.

Canada demonstrated continued leadership in Afghanistan in the areas of security, governance and regional cooperation at the London Conference on Afghanistan, held on January 28, and ensured that the final communiqué reflected Canadian interests.

DFAIT led on the G‑8 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Gatineau, at which the G‑8 issued a stand-alone statement on Afghanistan.

Demonstrated continued leadership on Afghanistan-Pakistan by establishing and facilitating the Dubai Process as a key mechanism for border management between these two countries.

Use the Stabilization and Reconstruction Task Force (START) to support Canada’s priorities, such as rule of law, good governance, human rights and Pakistan-Afghanistan cooperation, in Afghanistan, Sudan and Haiti and for timely and efficient response to natural disasters and crisis situations abroad.

Alignment of START programming to departmental and government priorities.

Implementation of START projects.

Effectiveness of response to natural disasters.

Met all: Programming aligned with and supported DFAIT-led priorities aimed at promoting rule of law, good governance, border management and reconciliation against established targets.

Disbursed $101.6 million (98.9% of GPSF funds) on over 250 projects: 86 in rule of law, 39 in good governance and 13 in human rights. Six projects ($1.9 million) supported Afghanistan-Pakistan border cooperation. Funds for Afghanistan ($43.4 million for 50 projects), Sudan ($17 million for 35 projects) and Haiti ($14.9 million for 22 projects) were disbursed, despite difficulties caused by security threats and the impacts of disaster; $1.9 million was contributed to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with an additional $4 million per year committed over the next three years.

In Afghanistan, the GPSF supported infrastructure improvements and training at Sarpoza Prison in Kandahar, funded salaries of the Afghan National Police, and constructed and furnished the Afghan Border Police Faculty.

Coordinated training and deployed 170 Canadian police and eight corrections officers to support security objectives in Afghanistan, Sudan and Haiti.

START coordinated Canada’ s timely response to 10 natural disasters in 15 countries, including major earthquakes in Haiti, Chile and Indonesia, and Cyclone Ketsana in the Philippines and Vietnam, and responded to humanitarian crises in Sudan, Afghanistan, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Sri Lanka.

Promote democracy, human rights, the rule of law and environmental stewardship through a targeted approach in priority countries and regions using multilateral and bilateral diplomacy.

UN General Assembly adoption of Iran human rights resolution.

Successful passage of Human Rights Council resolutions on violence against women and freedom of expression.

Ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities with full support of the provinces and territories.

Met all: Led successful adoption of the resolution on the human rights situation in Iran in the UN Third Committee and General Assembly by the largest margins ever.

The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was ratified with the full support of the provinces and territories.

Successful passage of consensus resolutions at the Human Rights Council on Violence Against Women at the June 2009 session and on freedom of expression at the September 2009 session.

Coordinated Canadian positions at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) and supported Trinidad and Tobago on logistics; played a key role in the high-profile CHOGM decision on climate change.

Played an important role in ensuring that Sudanese elections were as free and fair as the context permitted and actively promoted a credible referendum process for 2010.

Implement policies to address international security, crime and terrorism threats and to foster greater security cooperation in priority regions.

Establishment of special Organization of American States Good Offices mission.

Bilateral engagement produces joint action plans on security cooperation.

Mostly met: START funding enabled the establishment of a special OAS Good Offices mission, resulting in joint cross-border processes to restore and regularize political relations between Colombia and Ecuador, and created a dedicated capacity within the OAS to provide expert technical support to mediation initiatives.

Canada’s engagement in key multilateral forums (UN, OAS, G‑8) and with key bilateral partners (U.S., Mexico, Colombia, India, Russia, China, EU) increased mutual understanding of regional threats and produced joint action plans.

Promoted peace and security, disbursing $800,000 for UN peacebuilding in support of Canada’s role in Sierra Leone, $1.6 million for UN peacekeeping training, and $1.7 million for Francophonie partners to increase African capacity to lead and run peace operations.

Actively seek a seat for Canada on the UN Security Council for 2011-2012 and advance Canada’s objectives at multilateral organizations, including promotion of democracy, human rights, the rule of law and environmental stewardship, engagement on peace and security, and protection of civilians in Afghanistan, Haiti, Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, the Middle East, Sudan and the Congo Basin/Great Lakes region of Africa.

Increase in UN members’ support for Canada’s UN Security Council seat in 2011-2012.

Improved effectiveness of UN peacekeeping.

Provision of leadership in multilateral organizations to advance peace and security in Sudan.

Provision of leadership for environmental stewardship in Africa.

Mostly met: Advanced Canada’s bid for a seat on the UN Security Council in 2011-2012 through an active and strategic lobbying campaign.

Coordinated Canada’s participation at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) senior officials meeting, Ministerials, APEC committee and sub-forum meetings and the APEC Leaders Summit held in November 2009 in Singapore. Successfully ensured that key Canadian and global economic priorities were reflected in the work plans of APEC groupings and APEC’s statement on the global economy.

Conducted active diplomacy through Canada’s co-chairmanship of the Group of Special Envoys and Friends of the Great Lakes Region, Canada’s membership in the Contact Group on Democratic Republic of Congo Security Sector Reform and as a member of the International Task Force on the illegal exploitation of natural resources in the Great Lakes region.

Successfully influenced the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region to target the illegal use of natural resources, supported by the Global Peace and Security Fund. Canada agreed in 2009 to take the role of lead facilitator of the Congo Basin Forestry Partnership (2010-2012), an international forum supporting sustainable forestry management.

Support the capability of NATO, the Organization for Security and Co‑operation in Europe, and the UN and its agencies in order to deliver on key security, defence, crisis management, non-proliferation and disarmament issues. Multilateral negotiations will continue to be pursued on non-proliferation, disarmament and peaceful uses of nuclear technology.

UN General Assembly (UNGA) issues resolution on the Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty.

Ratification, approval and conclusion of nuclear cooperation agreements.

Met all: Provided policy and financial support to promote humanitarian action for the protection of civilians, including internally displaced persons and aid workers, and supported the UN Peacebuilding Support Office’s major review of civilian capacities.

Canada successfully led the consensus UNGA resolution on the Fissile Material Cut-Off Treaty.

Successfully advocated on behalf of the fourth round of UN Security Council sanctions to address Iran’s nuclear program.

Negotiated the G‑8 Foreign Ministers’ Statement on Nuclear Non-Proliferation, Disarmament and Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy.

Led the whole-of-government preparation for Canada’s participation at the April 2010 Nuclear Security Summit to influence the outcome in line with Canadian security and non-proliferation interests and to develop nuclear security deliverables.

Achieved ratification of the Canada-Jordan Nuclear Cooperation Agreement (NCA), Cabinet approval of the Kazakhstan NCA and successful conclusion of an NCA with India.

Develop a comprehensive partnership with the European Union.

Launch of negotiations for a comprehensive economic and trade agreement (CETA) with the EU.

Met all: The 2009 Canada-EU Summit in Prague launched negotiations on a Canada-EU CETA. Two negotiating rounds were held in 2009-2010, giving impetus to Canada-EU cooperation on Afghanistan, Iran, Sudan and other issues.

Enhance bilateral engagement to deepen Canada’s relationships with India, Japan, China and the Republic of Korea, consistent with Canada’s interest and values.

International agreements concluded with Japan, the Republic of Korea, India and China.

Mostly met: Concluded a new air transport services agreement with Japan and continued work under the bilateral Trade and Investment Dialogue to lay the groundwork for potential bilateral free trade negotiations.

Continued negotiations with the Republic of Korea toward a free trade agreement.

Continued efforts to finalize a FIPA with India, and launched a Joint Study with India to explore the parameters of a possible comprehensive economic partnership agreement as part of exploratory discussions.

Continued negotiations toward a FIPA with China and established a working group with China to strengthen and deepen the bilateral trading relationship.

Implement Canada’s G‑8 commitments, through the Global Partnership Program (GPP), to reduce threats posed by weapons and materials of mass destruction.

Amount of weapons and materials of mass destruction detoxified, secured and/or destroyed.

Number of nuclear submarines dismantled and defuelled.

Number of former weapons scientists redeployed.

Number of projects and activities addressing Canadian industrial and scientific interests.

Met all: A total of $119.9 million was committed to reduce threats posed by weapons and materials of mass destruction:

Chemical weapons ($53 million): The catalytic converter was delivered for the construction of the Kizner Chemical Weapons Destruction Facility (CWDF) in Russia that when finished will destroy Kizner’s two million chemical agent filled shells. Canada’s program at the Shchuch’ye CWDF is complete; as a result, Russia has begun the destruction of over 385,000 chemical munitions.

Nuclear radiology security ($27 million): 13 projects were started to enhance the physical security of key facilities housing nuclear material. One security upgrade was completed at a nuclear research site containing Category 1 material.

Nuclear submarines ($30.7 million): 10 reactors from five Russian submarines were defuelled. Two nuclear submarines were completely dismantled.

Redirection of former weapons scientists ($3.8 million): Research projects and targeted initiatives were funded via the International Science and Technology Center (ISTC) and the Science and Technology Center in Ukraine (STCU) to reduce the threat of knowledge proliferation posed by underemployed former weapons scientists and support sustainability of research institutes.

Biological non-proliferation ($5.3 million): Implementation of a comprehensive biosafety and biosecurity program continued in the Kyrgyz Republic, including a new human and animal health laboratory, as well as interim security upgrades, training, modernization of regulations, and provision for the safe transportation of dangerous materials.

Deliver the Counter-Terrorism Capacity Building Program to assist key partners and developing states, and to enhance project delivery in areas of priority interest for the Government of Canada, notably the Americas, Afghanistan and South Asia, North Africa and the Horn of Africa.

Number of experts in developing states trained on the latest counterterrorism measures.

Improved ability of developing states to respond to terrorist activity.

Mostly met: Provision of $11 million in assistance improved states’ ability to prevent and respond to terrorist activity in a manner consistent with international counterterrorism and human rights obligations, norms and standards.

Programming was directed at Canada’s geographic priorities (e.g. Colombia, Algeria) and key counterterrorism challenges, including those related to transportation, border security and the financing of terrorism.

Over 1,200 officials and experts in developing countries (e.g. Malaysia, Jamaica) were trained in counterterrorism measures and law enforcement or received military and intelligence training.

Deliver anti-crime capacity-building programming through groups such as the UN Office on Drugs and Crime and the Organization of American States Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission to improve the international response to crime and drug issues, with a particular focus on Afghanistan and the Americas.

Number of experts in developing states trained to respond to human and narcotics trafficking and corruption and other international crime threats.

Creation of Anti-Crime Capacity Building Program (ACCBP).

Mostly met: More than $7 million increased the capacity of states in the Americas to combat transnational crime in the areas of illicit drugs, money laundering and proceeds of crimes, human trafficking and migrant smuggling, corruption, security sector reform and crime prevention.

Work funded exclusively by the ACCBP resulted in the seizure in Panama of more than $15 million worth of cocaine; other projects enhanced Canada’s work against human trafficking in the Americas and contributed to police training and criminal justice reform in Mexico.

Effectively engage the provinces and territories and, through a public outreach program, the Canadian public in the successful pursuit of Canadian interests and priorities abroad.

Number of outreach events on Afghanistan led by senior DFAIT officials.

Outreach campaign on Americas policy generates increased public support.

Number of provinces and territories that participate in consultation mechanism.

Mostly met: An extensive outreach program across Canada—to stakeholders, academia, public servants, opinion influencers and Canadians—raised awareness of Canada’s engagement in Afghanistan.

Extensive outreach activities and programs for heads of mission (HoM), former HoM, the Representative of Canada in Kandahar (RoCK), senior returning officers and officials resulted in 70-plus events domestically. More than 8,000 regional and National Capital Region public servants were reached and 20,000 pieces of literature were distributed.

Organized regular consultations with the provinces and territories on Canada’s response to natural disasters such as the earthquakes in Haiti and Chile.

Conducted an outreach campaign that resulted in increased support for Canada’s Americas policy (according to public opinion research) and positive reporting on Canada’s engagement in the Americas in the context of the 20th anniversary of Canada’s accession to the OAS.

Increased engagement on trade issues with the provinces and territories through the C-Trade forum and other consultative mechanisms. In particular, provinces and territories were engaged in an unprecedented manner in the negotiations toward a comprehensive economic and trade agreement with the EU and the conclusion of the Canada-U.S. Agreement on Government Procurement.

Provide opportunities for Canadians to gain international experience through study and work abroad.

Number of new institutional agreements.

Number of copies of Working Abroad: Unravelling the Maze distributed.

Percentage increase in International Experience Canada (IEC) participants.

Met all: The November 2009 Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program collaboration mission, involving 29 institutional leaders from the Americas, resulted in 29 new institutional agreements; Canada-Mexico scholarships were reconfigured to facilitate Canadian participation.

Youth mobility agreements with European partners continue to be negotiated and implemented; 16 countries in Europe now have such an agreement or other travel, study or work arrangement in place with Canada. In 2009, there were a record total of 72,628 IEC participants, representing a 12% increase from 2008.

Distributed 60,375 copies of the publication Working Abroad: Unravelling the Maze.

Expand international education and youth programs to more effectively and efficiently advance departmental priorities, including contributing to Canada’s economic competitiveness and promoting democracy, the rule of law and human rights.

Percentage increase in the number of study permits issued.

Number of bilateral agreements on youth mobility.

Mostly met: Increased training and support to missions abroad to promote Canada’s education system and increase support for institutional linkages for faculty and students, resulting in a 13% increase in study permits issued during the 2007-2009 period.

Expanded International Experience Canada (formerly International Youth Programs) through signature of new bilateral arrangements concerning youth mobility: four new bilateral arrangements concerning youth mobility were signed, negotiations with three countries are now in their concluding stages, and 10 additional countries were identified as priorities for negotiations next year.

Launched the Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program, which created 293 (target 250) additional opportunities for future leaders in the Americas through institutional agreements and scholarships.

Effectively manage public diplomacy policy and initiatives with respect to international affairs.

Number of public diplomacy events.

Mostly met: Organized 87 public diplomacy events worldwide in 2009-2010: 43 in Europe (49%), 20 in the United States (23%), 20 in Asia Pacific (23%) and four in the Middle East (5%).

The 2009 Canada-United Kingdom Colloquium met expectations. This interdisciplinary event provided a forum for consideration of policy options for decision makers in response to the international financial crisis.

Expanded the advocacy operation in India and further developed initiatives in Beijing to advocate in priority areas for Canadian foreign policy, including human rights, the Arctic and health concerns.

Met all: Despite a 10% decrease in the worldwide number of FDI projects in 2009, DFAIT facilitated 106 greenfield and expansion projects, an increase of nine projects over the previous year.

Percentage of clients who have responded satisfactorily regarding the quality of services provided by the department.
Target: Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) baseline in 2004: 76%. Target in 2009-2010: 80%.

Somewhat met: The TCS conducted a survey of its clients In the fall of 2009. The results show unequivocally that the TCS has a substantial positive impact on Canadian clients’ international business development efforts ($1.1 billion in additional revenues for those clients reporting financial results). An overall client satisfaction rate of 66%, while good, leaves some room for improvement.

International commercial activity performed by Canadian business clients, such as exporting, direct investment abroad and technology commercialization, has increased.

Number of agreements in the areas of exports, direct investment abroad and technology commercialization signed by Canadian business clients.

Met all: Five bilateral initiatives were held—with Brazil, China, India, and under the Canada-California Strategic Innovation Partnership—resulting in 25 R&D projects being awarded, valued at over $15 million.
The Going Global Innovation Program received 143 applications and approved 68 projects worth $793,628 in 2009-2010.

Complete an upgrade plan for two web-based business applications that process export and import permit applications from clients and support quota management activities (the Export Import Controls System and Export Control On-Line), and seek approval and funding to implement the plan in 2009-2010 and 2010-2011.

Completion and initiation of an upgrade plan for business applications.

Met all: An upgrade plan for the Export Import Controls System and Export Control On-Line was developed and initial implementation of the plan was undertaken, including the exploration of possible funding sources for the replacement of these web-based business applications.

Use the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games as a key event at which to launch a global visibility campaign to brand Canada in a way that complements the department’s facilitation services to foreign investors, reflects the country’s strengths and showcases it as a preferred location for investment, through pre-Games events (such as an investor visits program centred in British Columbia and at key Canadian embassies worldwide) as well as through a tailor-made Investment VIP Visitor Program at the Games for select business leaders to advance the level of investor interest in Canada.

Number of foreign investors and Canadian businesses reached in business-to-business outreach activities. Targets: 45 for CEO program; 100 participants at the Global Business Leaders Day, including foreign investors, Canadian business and key government leaders.

Exceeded: Activities engaged 115 foreign investor prospects, senior executives from multinational corporations as well as senior government officials. Advertising in the Financial Times reached 462,000 elite readers in the United States, and banner ads on FT.com were viewed over 2.5 million times.

Over 100 foreign companies and officials heard testimonials and received marketing material.

33 top international business executives took part in the CEO program and the Minister for International Trade held one-on-one meetings with 18 potential investors.

Number of partners reached. Target: 25 to 30 provincial/territorial partners.

Exceeded: All provincial/territorial investment promotion partners were reached: 47 dignitaries and officials attended, including three federal ministers; the Premier of B.C.; the U.S. ambassador; and eight provincial ministers, deputy ministers and other senior officials.

Provide more focused service to Canadian business with the establishment of structured and virtual practices that bring together private sector expertise and key government networks in order to better match client interest and capacity with international demand (structured practices to be based at headquarters and virtual practices at the department’s regional offices most relevant to each sector, for example the Calgary regional office for the oil and gas sector).

Number of structured practices established at headquarters as well as virtual practices co-located with key national business organizations. Target: four structured practices, two virtual practices.

Met all: Four structured practices and two virtual practices were established and launched, complemented by engagement of global practice leads and launch of advisory boards.

Number of integrative trade global strategies developed. Target: six sector and subsector strategies created in collaboration with private sector partners.

Met all: Integrative trade global strategies were developed for seven priority sectors in collaboration with the private sector advisory boards.

Provide focused commercial activity within North America through the North American Platform Program and Export USA.

Number of clients, service requests, trade leads, events and outcalls.

Somewhat met: The TCS provided 6,858 services to Canadian clients (an increase of 24%), and developed and delivered a series of 15 Export USA webinars to inform Canadian clients on how to export to the United States, highlighting opportunities in specific priority sectors.

Consolidate the client acquisition models used in the Trade Commissioner Service in order to establish a new model that better reflects global business realities, resulting in development and modernization of tools and strategies.

Change in the level of knowledge and skills necessary to deliver value-added services through the development of a client acquisition training program.

Met all: Online and in-class courses have been developed and pilot training was delivered to the Regional Office in Toronto. Among the 13,252 clients served by the TCS, 3,770 were new to the TCS.

Implement new functionality in electronic client relationship management (TRIO) to better track all aspects of the Integrative Trade Model.

Met all: The TCS is now able to track all service delivery to clients in all business lines, allowing a breakdown by type of service (such as trade, innovation, investment, Canadian direct investment abroad, foreign direct investment and global value chains).

Implement performance indicators for managers and communicate the Integrative Trade Model to staff around the world.

Met all: Performance indicators were included in performance management agreements and a series of webinars was held to educate staff in offices in Canada and abroad on the department’s Integrative Trade Model; 634 people joined these webinars.

Canadians are better informed and well prepared to travel safely and responsibly.

Due to a change in government policy pertaining to public opinion research, the previously identified indicator (i.e. the percentage of travellers surveyed who list [unprompted] consular communication tools as a source for safety- and security-related information on new destinations) was not available for use. Target: 17%.

Met all: This performance score is based on assessment of the work associated with the planning highlights noted below.

Canadians receive satisfactory assistance abroad.

Percentage of clients who responded favourably regarding consular services received abroad. Target: 65%.

Exceeded: Of the clients who voluntarily provided feedback on routine services such as provision of a new passport, 92% said they were either satisfied or very satisfied.

Due to a change in government policy pertaining to public opinion research, the previously identified indicator (i.e. the percentage of travellers surveyed who responded that they would contact a mission if they found themselves in trouble in a foreign country) was not available for use. Target: 75%.

In 2009-2010, DFAIT responded to more than 6,400 cases related to Canadians in distress while outside the country. As well, another 8,000 Canadians were assisted during emergency or crisis situations abroad (e.g. the earthquakes in Haiti and Chile).

Develop the Emergency Management Bureau to provide a common services platform for coordination within DFAIT and with federal partners for delivery of Canada’s response to international emergencies where Canadian citizens and Canadian national interests are affected.

Fully operational Emergency Management Bureau in place to deal with emergency/crisis events. Target: all emergency/crisis situations addressed.

Design and development of plans for the new Emergency Watch and Response Centre approved. Target: Phase 1 of the Centre completed (i.e. approval received to commence implementation of the centre).

Met all: The Emergency Management Bureau is fully operational, with two core functions: response and preparedness.

In 2009-2010, DFAIT handled more than 149,500 calls, including over 49,500 related to the earthquake in Haiti, at the headquarters Emergency Operations Centre (up from approximately 114,000 total calls during the previous year).⁷ DFAIT also coordinated the consular response to 19 international emergencies, including the earthquakes in Haiti and Chile and the mudslides in Peru, and assisted some 8,000 Canadians in emergency or crisis situations abroad.

DFAIT received Treasury Board preliminary project approval in December 2009 for a new Emergency Watch and Response Centre at its headquarters. Design of the new centre has been finalized.

Create regional consular and emergency support offices, staffed with experienced MCOs, to enhance regional capacity to effectively plan for and respond to emergencies.

First office of this kind opened. Target: one office.

Met all: The first of three planned offices of this kind opened in Ankara in September 2009 as a pilot project. Fully operational, the office was very active in improving regional coordination of emergency planning among Canada’s missions in the Middle East and in supporting mission emergency planning for major events in Africa. Based on the results of the Ankara pilot project, work is under way to open a second such office in Panama in September 2010.

Develop a robust contingency planning function that integrates all types of hazards (security, consular, pandemic, natural disasters, etc.) into a single streamlined approach for headquarters and missions abroad.

New emergency planning tools developed. Target: new tools in development—50% completion rate.

Met all: The new Emergency Management Portal was developed to provide timely and accurate information regarding emerging situations. It will be implemented in 2010-2011.

Design a training program for all staff involved in emergency management, including consular and other mission staff.

Emergency management staff trained. Target: 75% of consular emergency staff trained.

Met all: Based on an analysis of training needs, DFAIT initiated development of key training on incident management and on emergency and business continuity planning. Some 91% of emergency management staff was trained in 2009-2010. Following the Haitian earthquake, training was also provided to some 280 DFAIT employees who volunteered in the Emergency Operations Centre.

Increase outreach through all media to help Canadians prepare for safe and healthy travel abroad.

Number of people reached during travel and trade shows. Target: increased number of people reached.

Met all: DFAIT participated in outreach initiatives that included 26 travel and trade shows in Canada and abroad, reaching more than 220,000 people (up from 125,000 reached in 21 such shows in the previous year). As a result of DFAIT’s consular communications work with clients in the public and private sectors, more and more associations and organizations are integrating DFAIT’s key messages about travelling safely abroad into their own public messaging.

DFAIT distributed more than 4.2 million publications on safe travel, an increase of 2% from the previous year. The increase is attributed, in part, to the growing popularity of DFAIT’s safe-travel fact sheets, such as Drugs and Travel: Do’s and Don’ts⁸ and Well on Your Way: A Canadian’s Guide to Healthy Travel Abroad.⁹

The number of subscribers to the daily travel updates¹⁰ increased 49% from last year to 29,700 subscribers.

Develop a clear “path of escalation” for passport and citizenship-related issues originating at missions abroad.

(Complex questions often arise as consular staff at missions abroad process passport or citizenship applications. A clear path of escalation would provide a simple framework whereby consular staff could consult with Passport Canada and Citizenship and Immigration Canada on complex questions and receive guidance quickly so that such problems could be resolved promptly, resulting in more efficient use of limited consular resources.)

Complex passport and citizenship-related issues dealt with more effectively. Target: framework/ memorandum of understanding (MOU) in place with federal partners.

Met all: Passport services: In December 2009, the first-ever MOU between DFAIT and Passport Canada was established to provide guiding principles and a governance framework for delivery of passport services abroad.

This year, priority was given to Passport Canada due to the high volume of passport services (over 157,000 requests for service) provided at missions abroad. Discussions with Citizenship and Immigration Canada on citizenship-related issues are under way.

Implement projects to support renewal of the MCO stream of the Foreign Service so that the department has sufficient numbers of well-trained MCOs available to conduct consular work at headquarters and missions abroad.

Projects are developed to improve recruitment and retention of MCOs. Target: projects are implemented in the areas of classification and training.

Met all: Plans to support renewal of the MCO stream were implemented, with development of an updated model to ensure appropriate classification of positions. As a result, 8% of MCO positions (15 positions) were reclassified. Phase 2 of a separate reallocation exercise to move the MCO group to an appropriate classification was also completed. In addition, DFAIT provided on-site mentoring to 24 program managers and training for all new MCOs (more than 40).

Improve capacity to address complex consular issues, through identification and analysis of trends and emerging issues and through development of tools to assist in delivery of consular services at headquarters and missions abroad.

Support provided to front-line consular officers in dealing with complex consular cases. Target: support provided as required on complex consular cases.

Met all: Front-line consular officers were able to call on other consular staff for assistance in preparing briefing and communications products as well as in conducting research and analysis on complex consular issues.

Following the Haitian earthquake, additional case support was provided by creating a specialized response unit that handled 238 adoption cases (Haitian children) and individual cases related to Canadian children in Haiti.

Strengthen the department's ability to resolve consular cases in which Canadian children are victimized, such as abduction of children from Canada, custody disputes, welfare cases abroad, forced marriages, etc. (Renewed efforts are to be made to increase the number of signatory countries to the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, to provide assistance to signatory countries that face implementation difficulties, and to engage countries that are not prepared to join the Hague Convention through a working party co-chaired by Canada and Pakistan.)

Training provided to case management officers who specialize in child-related cases. Target: 75% of staff trained to manage cases related to children’s issues.

Engagement of non-signatory countries to the Hague Convention. Target: development of new mechanisms for resolving international child abductions.

Met all: 100% of staff that deals exclusively with child-related cases received specialized training in management of these often highly sensitive situations.

Hague Convention: At its 2009 meeting, the Council on General Affairs and Policy of the Hague Conference on Private International Law authorized the establishment of a working party to promote development of mediation structures to help resolve cross-border family disputes concerning custody of, or contact with, children. The recommendation to establish a working party derived from a proposal made by Canada, which was approved at the Third Malta Judicial Conference on Cross-Frontier Family Law Issues in March 2009. Draft principles were developed by the working party on the use of mediation as a tool to resolve cases of international child abduction by parents.

Canadians receive innovative, reliable, consistent and accessible passport services.

Due to a change in government policy pertaining to public opinion research, the previously identified indicator (i.e. the percentage of clients who indicate that they have been satisfied with passport services received) was not available for use. Target: 90%.

Met all: Turnaround time performance is closely linked to client satisfaction. Passport Canada delivered 99% of travel documents within service standards. In March 2009, the Auditor General of Canada expressed satisfaction with the progress Passport Canada had made in response to recommendations made in the 2005 and 2007 audits.

Percentage of Canadians living in Canada who have access to a point of service within 100 km. Target: 95%.

Met all: Passport Canada offers a wide variety of service channels (Passport Canada headquarters, 34 regional offices and 197 receiving agents across Canada; by mail; and at Canada’s missions abroad).

Passport Canada is planning flexible operations to meet the anticipated extraordinary demand for services as a result of Phase II of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. Plans include the transfer of applications between offices to smooth workload across operations; the transfer of telephone inquiries between call centres; extension of working hours as required, including adding evening and weekend shifts; and development of flexible staffing options.

Percentage of completed applications processed within announced service standards.

Exceeded: A total of 99% of applications were completed within turnaround time standards.

Past preparations for Phase I of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative significantly increased the Passport Canada workforce. This increase in salary expenditure affects the financial flexibility of Passport Canada in that some other planned initiatives may need to be delayed to future years. Moreover, the fee structure might not be able to sustain increased fixed costs caused by major technological and capital investments in infrastructure. Consideration must also be given to uncertainties in projected volumes and the related impact on revenue, which is the source of funding of the organization.

Monitoring, forecasting and consultation processes in place.

Met all: The agency completed a five-year investment plan and also completed the preparations required under the User Fees Act to begin public consultations on fees in preparation for the launch of the ePassport.

Implement the ePassport pilot project to improve service to Canadians as well as to reduce and deter fraud (full implementation of ePassports to begin in 2012).

Number of diplomatic and special ePassports issued.¹²

Met all: Since January 2009, the agency has issued 26,924 diplomatic and special ePassports (18,818 in 2009-2010). The full implementation of the e-Passport in 2012 was supported in Budget 2010.

Common services and support are efficient and cost-effective in supporting Canada’s representation abroad.

A modified costing framework for common services in place to ensure proper allocation of resources to support Canada’s representation abroad. Target: a modified costing framework established.

Met all: The enhanced Common Service Abroad Charge was applied, beginning April 1, 2009, to assist in the recovery of direct and indirect costs associated with the delivery of common services. The charge is applied independently of where the resources are located for expenses such as management of locally engaged staff, security, diplomatic mail, administration of Foreign Service Directives, property, and others.

A master agreement for common services in place to ensure proper allocation of resources to support Canada’s representation abroad. Target: an updated master agreement for common services established.

Met all: The updated Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Operations and Support at Missions was signed by 22 federal departments and agencies and one co-locator in April 2009. The other partners abroad have individual MOUs on operations and support with the missions in which they are located.

Extent to which the department meets its Strategic Review, Expenditure Review Committee and Budget 2006 reduction targets. Target: the International Platform Branch ongoing budget reduction target was $13.5 million.

Met all: The International Platform Branch achieved its target budget reduction. The Branch contributed to all DFAIT budget reduction exercises, including in-year and ongoing commitments, and has implemented innovative savings initiatives. It has successfully transferred positions and funds from HQ to missions abroad as part of Phase 1 of the Strategic Review.

Ensure that representation abroad reflects Canada’s interests and evolving international needs and requirements in a more effective and efficient manner.

A master agreement is in place for common services.

Met all: In April 2009, the Memorandum of Understanding on Operations and Support at Missions was updated and signed by 22 federal departments and agencies and one co-locator. The remaining partners, provincial and other governments, have individual MOUs for operations and support directly with the missions in which they are located.

Strategic Review, Expenditure Review Committee and Budget 2006 reduction targets are met.

Met all: The International Platform Branch contributed to all DFAIT budget reduction exercises and implemented innovative savings initiatives in order to fund departmental financial pressures. The Branch has been successful in transferring positions and funds from HQ to missions abroad to facilitate Phase 1 Strategic Review commitments.

Engagement of DFAIT’s governance structure.

Met all: There was full participation by DFAIT senior management (Deputy Minister Sub-Committee, Assistant Deputy Minister Council, Missions Board, Mission Operations Committee, and Interdepartmental Working Group on Common Services) in implementation of the department’s new governance structure.

Establishment of baseline for service delivery standards for all common services.

Met all: DFAIT revised the service delivery standards to align with the revised MOU. Implementation is scheduled for 2010-2011.

Increase staff deployment to missions abroad.

Provision of timely and efficient support to growth of DFAIT and partner positions at missions abroad.

Met all: Canada’s mission network has grown by 15% (approximately 1,000 positions) over the past five years. In 2009-2010, 229 DFAIT and partner positions were added at the missions.

Develop and implement new Foreign Service Directives (FSDs).

New FSDs established and fully implemented.

Met all: New FSDs were implemented effective April 1, 2009. The new directives took into account new family structures and realities faced by employees and their families posted abroad. The updates resulted in reduced administrative work and reporting requirements.

Increased controls put in place for management of FSDs.

Met all: A new procedure to review hardship levels of postings abroad was implemented, which will ensure a more rigorous and objective approach. Over 30 mission hardship reviews were completed in 2009-2010.

Percentage of Canada-based staff (CBS) who respond favourably regarding FSD services and support (source: FSD client service annual survey).¹⁴ Target: 75% satisfaction rate.

Met all: A survey of 1,035 employees who were relocated in 2009-2010 indicated a satisfaction rate of more than 80% with respect to timeliness, clarity, knowledge, and services provided by FSD advisers.

Number of successful relocations of CBS to, from and between postings.

Met all: A total of 1,035 DFAIT and partners’ employees and their families were successfully relocated. In comparison, 1,007 employees were relocated in 2008-2009.

Develop new policies for locally engaged staff and spousal employment.

Timely review of compensation and benefits for locally engaged staff (LES).

Met all: The Total Compensation Review was launched in 2009-2010 to systematically review the compensation and benefits for LES in all missions, with completion anticipated by the end of 2011-2012. In 2009-2010, the planned reviews of 64 country compensation packages were launched, with 14 of them fully completed during the year. The reviews are comprehensive and take approximately one year to bring from inception to completion. Following the completion of the reviews of all missions, a consistent four-year review cycle will be implemented to ensure regular and timely reviews.

Establishment of new policies and guidelines that improve efficiency in managing LES.

Met all: DFAIT approved a new formula for annual salary adjustments. Its application has resulted in increased efficiency, better financial management and improved transparency and consistency. DFAIT approved policies on mandatory retirement and special payments for LES working in countries where active hostilities exist. In ongoing efforts to align human resource practices for LES with those for CBS, the department has standardized its internal procedures for the handling of grievances from LES.

Progress was made on the creation of a joint CBS-LES instrument of sub-delegation of human resources authorities to managers. Final approval will be sought in early 2010-2011. A step-by-step guide to classification, a staffing toolkit, and a staff relations guide have been developed to provide guidance and standardize processes at missions abroad.

Establishment of new policies for spousal employment.

Met all: DFAIT launched a new suite of policies to facilitate the employment of spouses abroad: Policy on the Employment of Spouses, Telework Policy, Alternate Work Arrangements Policy, and Policy on Non-Advertised Appointments.

Improve the costing framework for common services, sustain the accuracy of financial costs, implement a new services model, and prepare for an increase in departmental representation abroad.

An enhanced costing framework for common services established.

Met all: The enhanced Common Service Abroad Charge was applied, beginning on April 1, 2009, to assist in the recovery of direct and indirect costs associated with the delivery of common services, independent of where the resources are located.

Accuracy of financial costs improved.

Met all: Monthly bureau and branch financial reports were implemented to actively monitor expenditure trends, burn-rates and over-programming, as well as to control travel, overtime and hospitality expenditures.

Establishment of a baseline for the Common Service Model (CSM).

Met all: An automated costing system was implemented in February 2010 to enable more efficient and timely generation of costing information related to position changes at missions. The CSM was applied in selected missions in Latin America, Asia Pacific, Africa and the Middle East as a baseline exercise. In the United States, the CSM was applied regionally through the Regional Service Centre in Washington. The CSM is designed to gather information on common service resources in missions, and will be used for future planning.

Develop and implement standards for physical protection, with special emphasis on blast mitigation; develop an online security course for all employees; and implement a revised security infractions policy.

First phase of the Critical Infrastructure Protection Program (CIPP) Physical Security Guidelines approved.

Met all: Phase 1 of the CIPP Physical Security Guidelines, which cover site perimeter elements, was approved in fall 2009. Phase 2 will cover the building envelope, and Phase 3 will require reformatting and updating of interior requirements. Both are in development. Research pertaining to development of official residence and staff quarter guidelines is under way.

CIPP developed detailed guidelines for armoured vehicles, chancery perimeter security elements and physical security standards.

A mandatory online security course was rolled out to 12,000 users of SIGNET, the department’s secure computer network. Course completion is required before a SIGNET account can be obtained.

A revised security infractions policy was implemented, adding a monitoring and enforcement program.

Increase mission security.

Enhanced tools, procedures, policies and strategies developed to protect personnel, critical information and assets at headquarters and abroad.

Mostly met: A comprehensive review of security affecting people, information and infrastructure at Canada’s missions abroad was conducted and a strategy was developed to strengthen security abroad.

The following initiatives were undertaken with existing funds: work was undertaken to strengthen mission risk assessments; ongoing physical security improvements to chanceries were made under CIPP; roll-out of the Security Incident Reporting Tool to all missions began, to be completed in 2011-2012; governance for security abroad was strengthened through the development of an accountability framework; an ongoing pilot program of posting security program managers to the field continued in Kabul and Islamabad; five new Military Police security officers were posted abroad; specific security training for high-threat environments was developed and offered to staff; and a new training program was developed for mission security officers.

The department and its partners are satisfied with provision of common services.

Percentage of clients who respond favourably to common services they receive at missions. Target: 75%.

Met all: According to an informal online survey of CBS and LES employees abroad, conducted in winter 2010, there is a 75% satisfaction rate with regard to common services provided by DFAIT. Results obtained will be used as a baseline for future evaluation.

Service standards for all common services in place. Target: establishment of common service standards (2009-2010).

Met all: DFAIT updated the service delivery standards to align with the updated MOU. Implementation is scheduled for 2010-2011.

The department is responsive in addressing Canada’s evolving presence abroad.

Percentage of approved mission opening/closing requests completed on schedule. Target: 95%.

Met all: 100% of mission opening/closing requests were managed effectively.

Percentage of approved mission position changes completed on schedule. Target: 95%.

Exceeded: At the end of 2009-2010, DFAIT had completed 97.9% of requested position changes for DFAIT and partners’ staff.

Percentage of staff deployed to missions on schedule. Target: 95%.

Met all: 1,035 employees and their families, representing 100% of the requests for deployment, were successfully relocated within established timelines.

Enable Canada's objectives and evolving presence in growing and emerging markets, as well as in the United States and throughout the hemisphere, through the provision of common services in a responsive and effective manner.

Effective management of all mission opening/closing requests.

Met all: In support of Canada’s evolving presence abroad, the department successfully implemented requests for mission openings and closings. New missions were opened in Playa del Carmen (Mexico), Cancun (Mexico), Puerto Vallarta (Mexico) San Jose de Cabo (Mexico), Porto Alegre (Brazil), Punta Cana (Dominican Republic) and Ahmedabad (India).

Six missions were closed in 2009-2010: Phnom Penh (Cambodia), Hamburg (Germany), Tucson (U.S.), Cape Town (South Africa), Sarajevo (Bosnia) and Lilongwe (Malawi).

Provision of common services to support Canada’s evolving presence abroad.

Met all: Modifications were made to the Canadian chancery in Mexico City following the July 2009 imposition of visa requirements for Mexicans visiting Canada. The modifications allowed for 64 additional staff (60 LES and 4 CBS) to enable the mission to process the increased number of visa applications. In addition, a lease was signed for space in a multi-tenant building to house all Citizenship and Immigration Canada operations outside the mission.

Percentage of approved mission position changes completed on schedule. Target: 95%.

Exceeded: At the end of 2009-2010, DFAIT had fulfilled 97.9% of requested position changes from the department and its partners.

Number of employees relocated to missions successfully.

Met all: Relocations for 1,035 DFAIT and partners’ employees and their families were completed successfully. In comparison, 1,007 employees were relocated in 2008-2009.

Enable Canada's objectives and evolving presence in Afghanistan through the provision of common services in a responsive and effective manner.

Establishment of an appropriate operating environment in Afghanistan and Pakistan to enable program delivery.

Met all: Afghanistan: DFAIT acquired land by means of a long-term lease in July 2009. Existing property and development plans for the new site will support current and post-2011 program requirements, including accommodating program operations currently in Kandahar.

The hardship level of both of Canada’s missions in Afghanistan remains extremely high, and special provisions of the Foreign Service Directives continue to be invoked to ensure that staff serving in Afghanistan are compensated for the severe hardships they face.

The IM/IT team installed secure video-conferencing capabilities in Kabul and Kandahar, and enabled remote network access to employees in the Provincial Reconstruction Team and in Kabul.

Met all: Pakistan: In June 2009, DFAIT signed a long-term lease with the Government of Pakistan for a new compound site that will consolidate the chancery, official residence and staff quarters within the diplomatic zone. Improvements have been made on existing compound sites in order to accommodate all Canadians within the diplomatic zone.

Support mission and domestic regional offices in locations that are in line with Government of Canada priorities.

Support provided to the newly opened missions and domestic regional offices.

Met all: DFAIT ensured that all infrastructure and related services were in place for all new missions. In support of Canada’s evolving presence abroad, new missions were opened in Playa del Carmen (Mexico), Cancun (Mexico), Puerto Vallarta (Mexico), San Jose Del Cabo (Mexico), Porto Alegre (Brazil) and Punta Cana (Dominican Republic). Interim operations were established in Istanbul (Turkey), Doha (Qatar), Acapulco (Mexico), Mazatlan (Mexico) and Oaxaca (Mexico). In addition, one domestic regional office was opened in Kelowna, BC.

Strengthen the management of locally engaged staff (LES) abroad and create more opportunities for spouses of Canadian staff serving at missions abroad.

Governance and planning structures in place for management of locally engaged staff.

Met all: DFAIT developed terms of reference for the creation of LES Management Consultation Boards (LESMCB) at each mission abroad. These boards will put in place effective platforms where departmental priorities and employee concerns are discussed. DFAIT established LESMCBs at all missions. A total of 89 LESMCBs have submitted a year-end report, representing 95 missions. DFAIT undertook its annual comprehensive LES human resources planning. Plans were completed for 92% of the missions. DFAIT is working with the remaining missions to ensure effective HR planning. The department also expanded its requirement for learning plans and performance management programs for LES.

Create more opportunities for spouses of Canadian staff serving at missions abroad.

Met all: The new DFAIT Telework Policy aims to help spouses going on posting, particularly those who are also DFAIT employees, to continue their careers overseas. The department facilitated over 40 telework arrangements in 2009-2010; these spanned a range of HQ branches and a wide variety of responsibilities and professional groups. A number of spouses working for other government departments also arranged telework with their home departments.

The number of Reciprocal Employment Arrangements/ Agreements (REAs) was increased to facilitate spouses’ access to local job markets in more countries. In 2009-2010, DFAIT sought and received an omnibus negotiating mandate to pursue new treaty-based REAs. In addition, two new REAs were put in place and a further four are in negotiation.

Implement a new service delivery model, based on regional service centres (RSCs), to streamline common services abroad and consolidate repetitive, resource-intensive tasks previously performed at each mission.

Implementation of a regional service centre.

Met all: DFAIT launched an RSC in London in fall 2009 to serve missions in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. DFAIT leased property for this RSC (a permanent move is to take place in late 2010). The management team is in place, as well as one functional expert (IM/IT), with the balance of the functional experts to be in place in 2010. Business processes and delegations have been mapped out and are being implemented. Significant work was performed to prepare for the launch of the RSC in the United States, which was launched in April 2010. The focus of the RSCs is on modernizing service delivery, increasing the scope of services provided in the field, and building on best practices and assets already in place in the network of Canadian missions in their region of responsibility.

Relocate selected authorities and accountabilities from headquarters to the regional service centres in order to improve operational support and decision making.

Agreements in place with headquarters divisions as to business processes and delegations.

Somewhat met: An agreement for business processes and delegations between the Corporate Finance and Operations Branch and the regional service centres has been concluded. Progress has been made in negotiating agreements related to human resources, property and procurement.

Governance and Management Support: Management and Oversight

Full alignment with Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS) and departmental policies on audit, evaluation, inspections, and values and ethics.

Alignment with current policies on internal audit, evaluation, inspections, and values and ethics; and Management Accountability Framework (MAF) assessment scores for the relevant Area of Management (AoM). Target: MAF assessment scores “acceptable” or higher in relevant AoM.

Met all: DFAIT received a MAF score of “acceptable” for AoM 1 (Values-Based Leadership and Organizational Culture), a “strong” score for AoM 6 (Quality and Use of Evaluation) and an “acceptable” score for AoM 18 (Internal Audit).

Resource Management Services: Human Resources (HR)

High-quality human resources (HR) services are consistently delivered in support of core services.

Establishment of service standards for classification and staffing. Target: 80% compliance with these standards.

Mostly met: DFAIT established HR service delivery standards for staffing, classification and compensation amidst significant organizational transformation and a 15% workforce reduction. All standards were met at least 80% of the time, except for classification, due to surge requirements and a critical capacity shortage. DFAIT increased its classification capacity, which reduced the backlog by more than 50%. The department’s capacity to meet these standards is largely based on the hiring freeze, which has been in place since July 8, 2009.

Establishment and communication of service standards for compensation. Target: 80% compliance with these standards.

Mostly met: Compensation standards were developed and promulgated on March 30, 2009. Despite organizational change and workforce reduction, these standards were met at least 80% of the time.

The department is effectively staffed to deliver its business priorities.

Development of an integrated HR plan and accuracy of forecasted departmental needs.

Target: one plan.

Met all: DFAIT produced the 2009-2012 Integrated Business and Human Resources Plan, identifying current and anticipated HR needs, key results and performance measures.

Strategies in place for identified key shortage groups.

Mostly met: DFAIT identified shortages for the following occupational groups: management and consular affairs (AS-4-7), administrative assistants (AS-1-4), human resources advisers (PEs), economists (ECs) and commerce officers (COs). Strategies to deal with these shortages are currently being implemented. MCOs have been recruited at the AS-4 level to replenish pools and processes have been run to allow for growth into the AS-5 and AS-6 levels. Additionally, pools have been established at all levels to enable quick movement of employees into positions.

The Administrative Assistant group has initiated and will continue recruitment and is presently developing a training/development program, which will ensure a strong foundation in administrative principles.

The department has recruited PE-1s and has an ongoing PE development program that starts at the PE-1 level and trains HR advisors to the PE-4 working level. ECs have a pilot training program, however the major strategy for retention of the EC/CO shortage group is the proposed management of positions via a pool, therefore bridging the mobility gap for these non-rotational employees.

Percentage of employees who have access to relevant learning advisory services and cost-effective training. Target: 80%.

Met all: Learning advisers from the Canadian Foreign Service Institute offered all DFAIT employees guidance on individual and organizational learning plans. In 2009-2010, these advisers also responded to 874 client requests. The Institute, which is the primary training provider for DFAIT, offers more than 150 learning activities. More e-learning courses were created to deliver cost-effective training. The Institute updated and launched 10 new online courses. It has also been providing webinars to offer more training to employees at missions and regional offices.

Resource Management Services: Financial Management and Asset Management: Acquisitions

Efficient and effective financial and procurement management service is delivered (which is based on a solid organizational foundation, consisting of sound business practices, processes, systems and people).

MAF assessments for AoM 16 (Effective Procurement) and AoM 17 (Effectiveness of Financial Management and Control). Target: score of “acceptable” or higher.

Mostly met: AoM 16 was not reviewed in the 2009-2010 MAF assessment as DFAIT received an “acceptable” rating in the previous MAF assessment. The AoM 17 overall score was “opportunity for improvement” with some elements scoring “acceptable.” A 2010-2011 action plan has been developed to address areas of concern identified under AoM 17.

Results of external and internal audit reports. Target: results that confirm compliance with policies

Somewhat met: There were no external audits in 2009-2010. Five internal audits that reviewed financial management at DFAIT were completed. An internal audit of resource allocation identified governance and control issues. A Management Action Plan, under the responsibility of the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), was put in place, and significant progress has been made to date with regular monitoring and quarterly reports to the Departmental Audit Committee. An audit of expenditure controls found that the process in place was not based on risk assessment; however, the audit did not find any problems to indicate that controls were not working effectively. The recommendations noted opportunities to focus resources more effectively on higher-risk transactions, with management agreeing. The audit of mission hospitality resulted in only minor financial issues requiring correction. Audits of the Francophonie Secretariat and Francophonie financial information made recommendations to strengthen financial reporting to the governance committee of the Secretariat; however, all financial transactions were in compliance with the Financial Administration Act. An audit of cash and banking led to management taking appropriate corrective actions in response to recommendations on strengthening financial management.

On procurement, an internal audit was conducted in 2009-2010 at the request of Public Works and Government Services Canada. The audit consisted of reviewing a limited number of selected contracts. The results of this work showed full compliance with procurement requirements.

Results of annual client surveys. Target: the majority of responses positive regarding services, information and communications.

Mostly met: Client consultations related to procurement were conducted to improve the planning exercise. Surveys on service and training requirements were included.

Clients received value-added financial and procurement management services in a timely manner.

Results of annual client surveys. Target: majority of responses positive.

Mostly met: ADMs and senior managers were interviewed by the CFO and DG–Resource Management to discuss current services and identify areas of concern. Financial services improvement (e.g. implementation of the Financial Management Adviser structure) was initiated in the International Platform Branch (DFAIT’s largest branch). Implementation will continue throughout the department in 2010-2011.

Service levels for all major financial and procurement services. Target: service levels in place for all major financial and procurement services.

Met all: Service levels for ongoing accounting operations and procurement activities are in place. More specifically, those for payments to suppliers, travel claims processing, financial system activities, and help desk support for missions were consistently maintained.

A common understanding of risks regarding finance and procurement. Target: finance and procurement risk profile undertaken and agreed to by stakeholders and finance/procurement.

Met all: The Corporate Risk Profile includes a financial management risk assessment component. The CFO Branch business planning exercise includes common risk assessment for both financial and procurement activities.

Resource management strategies and solutions offered that maximize the efficiency of program delivery.

MAF assessments for AoM 16 (Effective Procurement) and AoM 17 (Effectiveness of Financial Management and Control). Target: score “acceptable” or higher.

Somewhat met: AoM 16 was not reviewed in the 2009-2010 MAF assessment as DFAIT received an “acceptable” rating in the previous MAF assessment. The AoM 17 score was “opportunity for improvement.” An action plan has been developed to address areas of concern identified under AoM 17.

Departmental Audit Committee (DAC) oversight. Target: positive DAC assessment.

Met all: All DAC Charter elements were met in 2009-2010.

Evidence for analysis and performance: DAC Charter (November 2009); DAC Records of Decisions (2009-2010); Internal Audit Charter (2009); approved Risk-Based Audit Plans 2009-2012; Integrated Business Plan; MAF Assessment; Chief Audit Executive’s Annual Report (April 2010); DAC Chairman’s Annual Report (June 2009).

Annual client survey regarding stewardship and decision making. Target: majority of responses positive regarding stewardship and decision making.

Met all: Client/ADM/DG-level consultations regarding stewardship and decision making were substantially positive. An action plan was developed to address any gaps through implementation of the CFO Model.

Quality and timeliness of reporting to senior management. Target: positive senior management assessment of quality and timeliness of reporting by finance and procurement.

Mostly met: An internal audit of resource allocation identified a requirement to strengthen the reliability and accuracy of the monthly financial position reporting process. All procurement reports were delivered on time.

Resource Management Services: Information Management

MAF assessment results for information management services are “acceptable” or higher.

MAF assessment for AoM 12 (Effectiveness of Information Management). Target: score “acceptable” or higher.

Met all: MAF assessment results for AoM 12 were “acceptable,” with “strong” ratings for 12.1 (Information Management Governance) and 12.2 (Information Management Strategic Planning and Implementation).

Upgrade the department’s classified information system; enhance internal communications through e-collaboration; and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of departmental websites.

Institute new systems to further provide functionality within the network.

Met all: To allow for faster and safer communications, the department’s classified information system was renewed.

To improve the management and sharing of information, 39 facilities were equipped with video-conferencing capability and over 4,000 employees were trained on information management.

E-collaboration tools implemented and promoted.

Met all: Under the e-Collaboration initiative, the department launched Connections, a professional networking tool, which was accessed by over 2,000 employees. In addition, WIKI @ International, another main component of the e-Collaboration initiative that was previously launched, now includes more than 15,000 articles.

Consolidated department websites on Interwoven platform.

Met all: All mission Internet sites were consolidated onto one platform, and adherence to Common Look and Feel standards was improved.