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Section II: Analysis of Program Activities by Strategic Outcome
Strategic Outcome
Statistics Canada has one strategic outcome. All program activities support that one strategic outcome:
Strategic Outcome
Canadians have access to timely, relevant and quality statistical information on Canada's changing economy and society for informed debate, research and decision making on social and economic issues.
This section describes Statistics Canada's program activities, and the financial and non-financial resources available to each. Performance is assessed and the lessons learned are presented for each of the four program activities:
- Economic Statistics
- Social Statistics
- Census, Demography and Aboriginal Statistics
- Internal Services
Program Activity 1: Economic Statistics
Program activity description1
The Economic Statistics program's purpose is to create a trusted, relevant and comprehensive source of information on the entire spectrum of Canada's economy in order to: inform public debate on economic issues; support economic policy development, implementation and evaluation; and guide business decision making. It is the primary source of information for developing the country's fiscal and monetary policies and for studying the economic evolution of Canadian industries and of regions. The information provides for informed public debate on current economic issues of concern and interest. The outputs are vital to research and to economic policy development, implementation and evaluation by a number of federal departments, such as the Bank of Canada, Finance Canada, Industry Canada, Foreign Affairs and International Trade, and Transport Canada, as well as by provincial and territorial governments; and they are extensively used by the private sector for business planning and decision making. The programs' data also support statutory requirements and regulatory instruments. Statistics produced range from gross domestic product, production, costs, sales, productivity and prices for industrial sectors to the flows and stocks of fixed and financial capital assets, international trade and finance, and the extent of foreign ownership in Canada's economy.
| Planned spending | Total authorities | Actual spending |
|---|---|---|
| 178,754 | 187,198 | 181,796 |
| 1. Totals may differ within and between tables because of rounding. Amounts shown are net of respendable revenue. | ||
| Planned | Actual | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 2,123 | 2,018 | 105 |
| Expected Results |
Performance Indicators1 |
Targets | Performance Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statistics produced by Statistics Canada are available through a wide range of easily accessible media formats and venues. | Page views of electronic publications—number and annual percentage change | Annual increase exceeds 5% |
Exceeded: Page views in 2010-11 were up 23% from 2009-10. The increase in the number of page views in 2010-11 compared with 2009-10 is mainly attributable to rising popularity of specific publications, such as the Canadian Economic Observer. Page views ('000), 2006-07 to 2010-11:
|
| Success in finding information on the Statistics Canada website | 65% of visitors surveyed found what they were looking for | Mostly met: 62% of visitors surveyed found what they were looking for. This is a new indicator: there is no prior time series. | |
| Ease of finding information on the Statistics Canada website | 70% of visitors surveyed would say they were satisfied | Mostly met: 65% of visitors surveyed said they were satisfied. This is a new indicator: there is no prior time series. | |
| Client satisfaction with price to access data, ease of retrieval process, convenience of output formats, Statistics Canada's ability to meet their needs | 4 on a scale of 1 to 5 |
Mostly met: For client satisfaction with the price to access data, the rating in 2010-11 was 3.3 on a scale of 1 to 5. For client satisfaction with ease of retrieval, the rating was 3.6. For client satisfaction with convenience of output formats, the rating was 3.7. For client satisfaction with Statistics Canada's ability to meet their needs, the rating was 3.6.
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| Canadians are aware of the availability of these statistics and of their high quality, and of the professionalism and non-partisanship of Statistics Canada. | Data series downloaded from the CANSIM online database—number and annual percentage change | Annual increase exceeds 5% |
Not met: CANSIM downloads in 2010-11 were up 2% from 2009‑10. The increase reflects the rising popularity of some economic series—particularly those on income and expenditures, wealth, and industry. However, the increase was not enough to meet the target. In late 2011‑12, Statistics Canada plans to remove pricing from CANSIM. This should strengthen the percentage increase in downloaded data series.CANSIM downloads ('000), 2006-07 to 2010-11:
|
| Percentage of major statistical outputs whose sampling accuracy is within set objectives | 95.0% |
Exceeded: The sampling accuracy of 96.8% of major statistical outputs from the Economic Statistics program was within set objectives. Sampling accuracy within set objectives, 2006-07 to 2010‑11:
|
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| Percentage of major statistical outputs released as planned | 100% |
Met all: All major statistical outputs from the Economic Statistics program activity were released on time, adhering to the pre-established release schedule. Percentage of major statistical outputs released as planned, 2006-07 to 2010-11:
|
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| Percentage of major statistical outputs corrected after release | Less than 2.5% |
Exceeded: 0.4% of major statistical outputs from the Economic Statistics program activity required correction after release. Percentage of major statistical outputs corrected after release, 2006-07 to 2010-11:
|
|
| Organizational efficiency | Business surveys using tax / administrative data—number and percentage | Continual increase |
Somewhat met: 47 business surveys—22% of the total—used tax/administrative data in 2010-11. This was unchanged from 2009-10. The number of business and agricultural surveys using administrative data has reached a plateau. Statistics Canada is currently enabling the use of more administrative data by conducting evaluations in agriculture and energy. At the same time, the
agency is negotiating partnerships with other federal departments to use other sources of administrative data in lieu of survey data. Number and percentage of business surveys using tax/administrative data, fiscal years 2006-07 to 2010-11:
|
| Number of administrative records used to reduce survey sizes | Continual increase |
Met all: 307,000 administrative records were used. Administrative records ('000) used to reduce survey sizes, 2006-07 to 2010-11:
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| Index of response burden hours | 60 or less |
Somewhat met: Index=65 Response burden continues to be a concern. Statistics Canada is looking for all possible opportunities to reduce burden through increased use of both administrative data and electronic data reporting. Statistics Canada has reduced response burden by 35% since 1991. This is a considerable decrease. The index of response burden has been revised to incorporate more precision in completion time by survey. Index of response burden hours (1991=100), 2006-07 to 2010-11:
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| International comparability | Rank among the best in comparison with other G7 countries | Met all: For measurement and dissemination of gross domestic product (GDP) data, Canada meets all of the standards set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). In addition, Canada has the second lowest GDP revision rate of the G7 countries. This is unchanged from 2009-10. An annual report on the observance of the IMF standards is available on its website at http://dsbb.imf.org/images/pdfs/AnnualReports/2010/ CAN_SDDS_AR2010.pdf |
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| 1. See Section IV for indicator definitions. | |||
Performance Summary and Analysis of Program Activity
The range and quality of Canada's economic statistics, together with Statistics Canada's reputation for quality and integrity, ensure that Canadian governments and businesses can access international financial markets on the most favourable terms.
In this regard, the Economic Statistics program activity performed extremely well in 2010-11. It continued to deliver high-quality economic statistics through its ongoing programs and continued its renewal activities.
The Economic Statistics program activity exceeded its target growth rate for electronic page views by clients. This is mainly attributable to rising popularity of specific publications, such as the Canadian Economic Observer.
The Economic Statistics program activity saw a slight increase in the number of tables downloaded in CANSIM. This increase was a result of the increased popularity of some economic datasets—including datasets related to income and expenditures, wealth, and industry. The small size of the increase is the direct result of providing more products to users for free through vehicles other than CANSIM. This trend is expected to continue.
All major statistical outputs from the Economic Statistics program activity were released on time, adhering to the pre-established release schedule, and according to accuracy targets.
Managing Canada's macro-economy through monetary and fiscal policies is the responsibility of the federal government. The Bank of Canada, the Department of Finance and international organizations, such as the Organisation for Economic Co‑operation and Development (OECD) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), expect that the national statistical office will produce, in general compliance with international standards, a comprehensive and timely set of economic indicators to guide macro-economic policy.
Statistics Canada is internationally recognized for producing a comprehensive, high-quality and timely set of economic indicators. A May 2010 report by the OECD Statistics Directorate listed 28 categories of statistical measures (4 more than in 2009) that member countries are expected to maintain and report. Canada was reported as fully compliant in 22 categories, Australia in 25, the United Kingdom in 23 and the United States in 25. Canada's compliance improved with the provision of capital stock by industry data, but declined in terms of consumer opinion surveys: this is not currently part of Statistics Canada's program. Compliance was lacking with respect to business tendency surveys, monthly international trade in goods by Standard International Trade Classification sections, and two new categories related to structural and business statistics.
Canada meets all IMF standards for measuring and disseminating GDP data. In fact, according to the annual report for 2010 on observance of the Special Data Dissemination Standard, "the quality, coverage, periodicity and timeliness of Canada's economic data are considered to be excellent both in the context of the Article IV consultation and for purposes of ongoing surveillance."
Timeliness is measured as the lag between the end of the reference period and the dissemination of the earliest measures of GDP. Although Canada meets the IMF standard—it releases 60 days after the end of the reference period, 30 days ahead of the IMF limit—it appears to lag other G7 countries. This is because Canada releases GDP and the whole National Accounts database at once, providing users a timely estimate of GDP and, at the same time, helping users understand the overall context. Many other countries, such as the United States, put out early or 'flash' estimates of GDP (the headline variable) without the associated database. Most other G7 countries release the comprehensive database with a lag of 75 to 90 days from the end of the reference period.
Revisions to economic indicators are a normal consequence of the statistical compilation process. The first publication of quarterly real GDP based on income and expenditure is released approximately 60 days after the reference period, and provides timely information about the economy. These initial estimates are based on data available at the time of the release. However, this information will, at times, be incomplete. The initial estimates are revised or changed in value as increasingly complete source data becomes available. Those initial estimates must be reliable or close approximations of the final estimate.
Canada has the second lowest revision rate of the G7 countries. However, there is a trade-off between timeliness and accuracy, measured in the average revisions of the GDP growth rate. Canadian users are often consulted on their views on these trade-offs and are usually satisfied with the status quo.
The Economic Statistics program activity continued to use more and more administrative data in lieu of questionnaires.
Lessons Learned
What worked well
The development and conducting of the Survey of Innovation and Business Strategies went extremely well. The purpose of the survey was to seek detailed information, at the firm level, to help sharpen understanding of business drivers and behaviours and their impacts on growth and performance. This voluntary survey proved successful thanks to a strong partnership among Statistics Canada, Industry Canada, and Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, as well as to participants' willingness to compromise between richer survey content and a shorter and less intrusive survey. The strategy proved effective: the survey has provided a rich database that will be instrumental for economic research in the years to come.
What could be improved and what we are doing about it
Response burden continues to be a high priority for Statistics Canada. In its recent consultations, the Red Tape Commission has identified response burden and collection practices as irritants to the business and agricultural communities. Statistics Canada has reduced significantly the number of survey questionnaires. The agency is committed to continue exploring new opportunities to use administrative data in collaboration with other federal departments. In addition, it will keep improving its survey instruments to accommodate better the respondent using electronic reporting such as web-based collection methods. This new data-collection strategy should offer respondents more flexibility and reduce the need for follow-up calls.
After a report in the news media in December 2010 that there had been an early release of economic data by Statistics Canada, the consulting firm KPMG was engaged to conduct a review of agency dissemination practices. The review made a number of recommendations that Statistics Canada has accepted and is taking steps to implement. A comprehensive and thorough review of the dissemination process is underway, with a focus on procedures for information technology, and a clear definition of roles and responsibilities.
Program Activity 2: Social Statistics
Program activity description1
The Social Statistics program's purpose is to provide integrated information and relevant analysis on the social and socio economic characteristics of individuals, families and households and on the major factors that affect their well-being in order to: inform public debate on socio-economic issues; support social policy development, implementation and evaluation; and guide public and private decision making. It is the primary source for assessing the impact of changing economic circumstances on Canadians. Federal departments such as Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, Industry Canada, Justice Canada, Citizenship and Immigration Canada, Canadian Heritage, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, Transport Canada and Infrastructure Canada, as well as provincial governments extensively use its information to evaluate and cost economic and social policy options and alternatives. Objective statistical information is essential in an open and democratic society and this information allows Canadians to participate knowledgeably in debates on topics of interest to them. It supports statistical requirements specified by legislation or regulations such as in areas of labour, immigration and employment equity. The program also provides information, analysis and measures on publicly funded facilities, agencies and systems designed to meet the socio-economic and physical needs of Canadians, on the characteristics of the individual Canadians and families they serve, and on the outcomes of the services they provide, such as justice, health, and education, as well as on cultural institutions and industries.
| Planned spending | Total authorities | Actual spending |
|---|---|---|
| 135,419 | 140,815 | 132,150 |
| 1. Totals may differ within and between tables because of rounding. Amounts shown are net of respendable revenue. | ||
| Planned | Actual | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 1,781 | 1,394 | 387 |
| Expected Results |
Performance Indicators1 |
Targets | Performance Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statistics produced by Statistics Canada are available through a wide range of easily accessible media formats and venues. | Page views of electronic publications—number and annual percentage change | Annual increase exceeds 5% |
Exceeded: Page views in 2010-11 were up 26% from 2009-10. The increase in the number of page views in 2010-11 compared with 2009-10 is mainly attributable to rising popularity of specific publications, including Perspectives on Labour and Income, Health Fact Sheets, Juristat and Health Reports. Page views ('000), 2006-07 to 2010-11:
|
| Success in finding information on the Statistics Canada website | 65% of visitors surveyed found what they were looking for | Mostly met: 60% of visitors surveyed found what they were looking for. This is a new indicator: there is no prior time series. | |
| Ease of finding information on the Statistics Canada website | 70% of visitors surveyed would say they were satisfied | Mostly met: 67% of visitors surveyed said they were satisfied. This is a new indicator: there is no prior time series. | |
| Client satisfaction with price to access data, ease of retrieval process, convenience of output formats, Statistics Canada's ability to meet their needs | 4 on a scale of 1 to 5 |
Mostly met: For client satisfaction with price to access data, the rating in 2010-11 was 3.4 on a scale of 1 to 5. For client satisfaction with ease of retrieval process, the rating was also 3.4. For client satisfaction with convenience of output formats and for client satisfaction with Statistics Canada's ability to meet their needs, the rating was 3.7. Client satisfaction ratings, 2006-07 to 2010-11 Price to access data
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| Canadians are aware of the availability of these statistics and of their high quality, and of the professionalism and non-partisanship of Statistics Canada. | Data series downloaded from the CANSIM online database—number and annual percentage change | Annual increase exceeds 5% |
Not met: CANSIM downloads in 2010-11 were down 2% from 2009‑10. Although health-related data are free on CANSIM, other social statistics are not. In late 2011-12, Statistics Canada plans to remove pricing from CANSIM. This should reverse the declining trend. CANSIM downloads ('000), 2006-07 to 2010-11:
|
| Percentage of major statistical outputs whose sampling accuracy is within set objectives | 95.0% |
Exceeded: The sampling accuracy of 99.7% of major statistical outputs from the Social Statistics program was within set objectives. Sampling accuracy within set objectives, 2006-07 to 2010‑11:
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| Percentage of major statistical outputs released as planned | 100% |
Met all: All major statistical outputs from the Social Statistics program activity were released on time, adhering to the pre-established release schedule. Percentage of major statistical outputs released as planned, 2006-07 to 2010-11:
|
|
| Percentage of major statistical outputs corrected after release | Less than 2.5% |
Exceeded: 0.5% of major statistical outputs from the Social Statistics program activity required correction after release. Percentage of major statistical outputs corrected after release, 2006-07 to 2010-11:
|
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| Organizational efficiency | International comparability | Rank among the best in comparison with other G7 countries |
Met all: For unemployment data, Canada met or exceeded all the IMF quarterly periodicity and timeliness requirements. This is unchanged from 2009-10. An annual report on the observance of these IMF standards is available on its website at http://dsbb.imf.org/images/pdfs/AnnualReports/2010/ |
| 1. See Section IV for indicator definitions. | |||
Performance Summary and Analysis of Program Activity
Demographic trends are shaping our country. They will have a profound effect on labour markets, demand for government services such as health, education and justice, as well as on incomes and life paths. A robust, comprehensive program of social statistics is essential to anticipating and meeting these challenges.
The Social Statistics program activity performed extremely well in 2010-11. It continued to deliver high-quality social and economic data through its ongoing programs, and continued its renewal activities.
The Social Statistics program activity again exceeded its target growth rate for electronic page views by clients. This is unlikely to continue in light of reduced spending in this area.
The Social Statistics program activity did not see an increase in the number of tables downloaded in CANSIM, which is the direct result of providing more products to users for free. This downward trend is expected to continue as more and more products become available for free.
All major statistical outputs from the Social Statistics program activity were released on time, adhering to the pre-established release schedule, and in accordance with accuracy targets.
In 2010-11, the Social Statistics program made significant progress in the streamlining and integration of its business processes. For example, the Social Survey Processing Environment provides a suite of generic tools and utilities related to the processing of social survey data.
Lessons Learned
What worked well
The Social Statistics Microdata Access Division is contributing significantly to the accessibility of Statistics Canada information. For example, the remote microdata access application called Real Time Remote Access was launched this year for federal government researchers. For public-use microdata files, a new subscription program was announced in The Daily to offer access to Statistics Canada's collection of public-use microdata files to Canadian or international organizations not covered by the Data Liberation Initiative. Statistics Canada's Canadian Research Data Centres Network has expanded this year to include branch centres at the University of Lethbridge and the University of Windsor, increasing the research access points through this program to one federal and 25 university research data centres.
A new occupational classification will be available in 2012: it will be used in the household survey program, including the National Household Survey. The classification results from last year's agreement between Statistics Canada and its partner, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, to consolidate the two major occupational classifications into a single national classification. This consolidation is a considerable advance toward coherent occupational statistics across the Government of Canada.
What could be improved and what we are doing about it
A continued threat to the quality of Statistics Canada data is the increasing challenge in contacting respondents to collect survey information and maintaining response rates. The active lifestyles of Canadian families and the diminishing use of landline telephones make it more difficult to reach respondents at home. To address this challenge, Statistics Canada will be conducting a pilot test designed to determine if cellphone contact information can be used in the collection process. Statistics Canada is also developing an Internet application as an option for respondents to complete social surveys online. This application will be developed first for the Labour Force Survey and, once implemented, will be extended to more social surveys as a mode of response.
The measurement of societal well-being has been identified internationally as an area for improvement. Statistics Canada is a member of two working groups created by the OECD to discuss collection methods to fill such data gaps. The agency has also participated in the review of a number of chapters in the OECD's new publication, How's Life?
Program Activity 3: Census, Demography and Aboriginal Statistics
Program activity description1
The program's purpose is to provide statistical information, analyses and services that measure changes in the Canadian population, its demographic characteristics and its conditions, and its agricultural sector, as well as the well-being of Aboriginal peoples, in order to serve as a basis for public and private decision making, research and analysis in areas of concern to the people of Canada. The program includes the Censuses of Population and Agriculture. The Census of Population provides detailed information on population sub-groups and for small geographical levels required to assess the effects of specifically targeted policy initiatives and serves as a foundation for other statistical surveys. It also provides population estimates, projections and in-depth information on special populations, such as operators of agriculture holdings and Aboriginal peoples. Population counts and estimates are used in determining electoral boundaries, distribution of federal transfer payments, and the transfer and allocation of funds among regional and municipal governments, school boards and other locally based agencies within provinces. It meets statistical requirements specified constitutionally, and supports those in statutory requirements and regulatory instruments. All per capita measures in fiscal policies and arrangements and other economic analysis, and in program and service planning, come from this program's statistical information. Statistics produced range from demographic, social and economic conditions of the population, annual and quarterly estimates of the population, households and families and their projections to numbers and types of farms and farm operators, and the socio-economic conditions and well-being of Aboriginal peoples.
| Planned spending | Total authorities | Actual spending |
|---|---|---|
| 161,859 | 177,025 | 169,313 |
| 1. Totals may differ within and between tables because of rounding. Amounts shown are net of respendable revenue. | ||
| Planned | Actual | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 1,290 | 1,370 | (80) |
| Expected Results |
Performance Indicators1 |
Targets | Performance Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statistics produced by Statistics Canada are available through a wide range of easily accessible media formats and venues. | Page views of electronic publications—number and annual percentage change | Annual increase exceeds 5% |
Exceeded: Page views in 2010-11 were up 40% from 2009-10. The increase in the number of page views in 2010-11 compared with 2009-10 reflects interest in demographic data as the census approaches. A number of new publications added to the increase, particularly those focusing upon aboriginal statistics. Page views ('000), 2006-07 to 2010-11:
|
| Success in finding information on the Statistics Canada website | 65% of visitors surveyed found what they were looking for | Exceeded: 69% of visitors surveyed found what they were looking for. This is a new indicator: there is no prior time series. | |
| Ease of finding information on the Statistics Canada website | 70% of visitors surveyed would say they were satisfied | Mostly met: 67% of visitors surveyed said they were satisfied. This is a new indicator: there is no prior time series. | |
| Canadians are aware of the availability of these statistics and of their high quality, and of the professionalism and non-partisanship of Statistics Canada. | Data series downloaded from the CANSIM online database—number and annual percentage change | Annual increase exceeds 5% |
Exceeded: CANSIM downloads in 2010-11 were up 27% from 2009-10. This is a direct result of increased interest in socio-demographic data, including population estimates and projections. CANSIM downloads ('000), 2006-07 to 2010-11:
|
| Net undercoverage for the 2011 Census of Population | Less than 3% | At the end of the reporting year, Census preparations were still underway. No indicator data are currently available. | |
| Response rate for the 2011 Census of Population | 98% or more | At the end of the reporting year, Census preparations were still underway. No indicator data are currently available. | |
| Response rate for the National Household Survey | At least 50% | At the end of the reporting year, National Household Survey preparations were still underway. No indicator data are currently available. | |
| Organizational efficiency | Cost per dwelling for the 2011 Census of Population | Less than $42 | At the end of the reporting year, Census preparations were still underway. No indicator data are currently available. |
| 1. See Section IV for indicator definitions. | |||
Performance Summary and Analysis of Program Activity
The Census, Demography and Aboriginal Statistics program activity performed extremely well, under very challenging conditions, in 2010-11. It continued to prepare to conduct the Census of Population and the Census of Agriculture, and also to introduce the National Household Survey, a new voluntary survey that will collect the comprehensive data that was previously part of the comprehensive portion of the mandatory census.
The National Household Survey introduced a number of changes in the 2011 cycle, which adds pressure to the 2011 budgets and timelines. The census (short form) was to be sent to 100% of dwellings, up from 80% in 2006. The National Household Survey was to be sent to 30% of dwellings; the equivalent 'long form' of the 2006 Census was sent to 20% of dwellings. An additional $30 million was added to the 2011 budget to implement these changes and to ensure that response rate objectives are attained.
The Census, Demography and Aboriginal Statistics program activity exceeded its target growth rate for electronic page views by clients.
The Census of Population, preparing for the 2011 Census, saw a slight decline in the number of tables downloaded from its online database. This is typical of the level of demand at this point in the census cycle.
Lessons Learned
What worked well
In the months leading up to the implementation phase of the 2011 Census, the primary focus of the program was preparing for full-scale operations, including making the changes needed to support the new National Household Survey. Strong governance ensured that the required changes were made in a timely and effective manner. This was demonstrated by the successful conclusion of integrated systems testing to validate major systems, and implementation of changes in procedures and processes.
What could be improved and what we are doing about it
As part of the preparations for the 2011 Census, a test was conducted in May 2009, consisting of 125,000 households. Results from the test were used to make adjustments prior to the 2011 Census, and to scale up systems and infrastructure to the volumes required. In particular, the test validated the implementation of the wave methodology, a new approach being introduced for the 2011 Census to encourage respondents to complete their questionnaires online. The test also validated the new Field Management System, and identified several issues with the availability of management information systems reports that were subsequently resolved.
As is customary with all census cycles, an in-house evaluation program was set up to evaluate lessons learned from the 2011 Censuses and the National Household Survey. In addition, in light of the significant changes to the Census of Population for 2011, Statistics Canada will study approaches for population censuses in place around the world, their applicability in the Canadian context, and their adherence to Statistics Canada's mandate and business model. Based on this review and the outcome of the 2011 Census and the National Household Survey, Statistics Canada will develop options for the 2016 Census program.
Program Activity 4: Internal Services
Program activity description
Internal Services are groups of related activities and resources that are administered to support the needs of programs and other corporate obligations of an organization. These groups are management and oversight services; communications services; legal services; human resources management services; financial management services; information management services; information technology services; real property services; materiel services; acquisition services; and travel and other administrative services. Internal Services include only those activities and resources that apply across an organization and not to those provided specifically to a program.
| Planned spending | Total authorities | Actual spending |
|---|---|---|
| 86,701 | 94,796 | 91,950 |
| 1. Totals may differ within and between tables because of rounding. Amounts shown are net of respendable revenue. | ||
| Planned | Actual | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 921 | 909 | 12 |
Performance Summary and Analysis of Program Activity
The Internal Services program activity achieved successful results in all the priorities it identified in the 2010-11 Report on Plans and Priorities: providing a more user-friendly website; increasing stakeholder engagement for improved relevance of Statistics Canada's programs; implementing the new human resource management action plan; consolidating governance of informatics technology services; enhancing and documenting the integrated risk management strategy; and strengthening the internal audit function.
Lessons Learned
What worked well
The agency made its internal audit function more effective, and improved its contribution to government-wide priorities, by implementing robust governance processes and issuing periodic internal audit reports as per its 2010-13 risk-based audit plan. A Departmental Project Management Office was created to develop standardized tools for documentation and status reporting, following the best practices of the Project Management Institute's Project Management Body of Knowledge. A revised agency-wide integrated strategic planning process was introduced, which further consolidated planning for human resources, informatics technology and finance.
The agency also strengthened the quality of performance reporting and the effectiveness of its information technology management.
All this work was very successful, as indicated by the MAF scores for these areas of management. Internal audit and performance reporting went from 'opportunity for improvement' to 'acceptable'. The organizational contribution to government-wide priorities and the management of information technology went from 'acceptable' to 'strong'. In all, 13 areas of management were assessed in the current round: 4 improved, 1 declined, 6 were unchanged and 2 cannot be compared.
What could be improved and what we are doing about it
Quality and use of evaluation declined from 'acceptable' to 'opportunity for improvement' in MAF VIII. The evaluation function has since been made the responsibility of Internal Audit Services, and a five-year evaluation plan is in development.
The effectiveness of corporate risk management declined from 'acceptable' to 'opportunity for improvement'. The main reason: although a comprehensive risk register and corporate risk profile were developed and the methodology was documented, the strategy was not fully integrated into all management processes. Significant work has been done by the Administrative Practices Committee and through the integrated strategic planning process to ensure that integrated risk management is part of the foundation for decision-making in the agency.
Statistics Canada's Information Management (MAF Area of Management 12) overall rating in MAF VIII was unchanged from last year: 'opportunity for improvement'. A strong culture of sound information management (IM) practices is considered fundamental to Statistics Canada's mandate. While the agency is strong in the areas of privacy and access to information, there are opportunities for improvement in IM strategy planning and implementation and in IM practice. The recommendation is to continue IM strategy implementation and address the requirements of Treasury Board's Directive on Recordkeeping. With a sound governance model and IM framework in place, Statistics Canada's IM Action Plan outlines how the agency continues to implement its IM strategy. For example, the integration of good IM practices into business processes is an integral part of several strategic projects, including developing the Departmental Project Management Framework, setting up Data Service Centres, and developing the Administrative Processes Review and Automation Project. In addition, Statistics Canada is implementing and monitoring practices for managing structured information, the agency's key business asset. All these initiatives facilitate identifying and managing information resources of business value, based on an analysis of the agency's business processes, as required by the Directive on Recordkeeping.