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Table 3: Foundations (Conditional Grants)


1 Name of recipient: Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada
Start date: March 31, 2005 End date:  N/A Total funding:  $50 million
Description:  The Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, created by an Act of Parliament in 1984, is an independent, not-for-profit think tank on Canada's relations with Asia. The Foundation functions as a knowledge broker, bringing together people and knowledge to provide current and comprehensive research, analysis and information on Canada's trans-Pacific relations. It promotes dialogue on economic, security, political and social issues, fostering informed decision making in the Canadian public, private and non-governmental sectors. The Foundation also provides grants to support policy research and informed discussion on Canada's relations with Asia. The Foundation is funded primarily by the proceeds of an endowment of $50 million from the Government of Canada.
Strategic outcome:  CANADA'S INTERNATIONAL AGENDA—The international agenda is shaped to Canada's benefit and advantage in accordance with Canadian interests and values.

Canada's support of the Foundation aims to enhance Canada's influence in the Asia-Pacific region, and helps to influence public policy and foster informed decision making in the Canadian public, private and non-governmental sectors.

Summary of annual plans of recipient, 2008-2009:  With core funding from the Government of Canada secured following an endowment in 2005, the Foundation has continued to redefine its strategic direction as a knowledge-based organization with a special focus on public policy issues central to the Canada-Asia relationship. Guided by this fundamental shift, corporate plans have been developed, taking into account the Foundation's Strategic Plan 2005-2008, the 2005 Conditional Grant Agreement with the Government of Canada, and Canadian foreign policy priorities with regard to the Asia-Pacific region.

For 2008-2009, the Foundation has focused on three primary research themes: the Asia Pacific Gateway, transnational migration, and the impact of global Asia on Canada. It has also retained flexibility to respond to fast-breaking topics and hot-button issues on other subjects. The grants program will be refocused to be more proactive in promoting Foundation priorities and selecting recipients. A new funding model will be employed for collaborative research projects in which the Foundation commits seed money and leverages its funds through partnerships with government departments and private sector institutions.

On the Asia Pacific Gateway, the Foundation will undertake a series of activities to keep the broader vision of the Gateway under public discussion and to identify specific areas where comprehensive thinking can stimulate innovation and community benefit. On transnational migration, the Foundation will pursue a policy research agenda to bring together interests from across a range of government departments and organizations (including at the provincial level, where education and health care benefits are pertinent), while also maintaining a holistic view of Canadians abroad and their long-term significance to the country. The Foundation will connect the issue of Canadians abroad with immediate government priorities, especially where economic issues such as international competitiveness, innovation and productivity are concerned. The Foundation will consult with government departments, private sector organizations, and funding agencies on strategies and options for a comprehensive study on Canadians abroad—one that is both forward looking and policy-focused.

On global Asia and its impact on Canada, the Foundation will undertake a multi-sector study of the Canada-India relationship and next-generation educational partnerships. The Foundation will continue to work on Canada-China two-way investment and is in discussions with potential funding partners about further research and policy development. The Foundation will conduct a national survey of Canadian opinions about Asia, with a special focus on issues related to product safety, perceptions of India, and perceptions of China in the Olympic Games year.

Planned evaluation(s):  As per the Conditional Grant Agreement, an evaluation of the Foundation, at the expense of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, will be conducted in 2008-2009, including but not limited to a review of its corporate governance, management, transparency, accountability, activities and successes.
Planned audit(s):  As per the Conditional Grant Agreement, and to ensure compliance with that agreement, the Minister of Foreign Affairs or the Auditor General of Canada will undertake in 2008-2009 a compliance audit of the Foundation, by auditor(s) of his/her choosing and at the expense of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. The audit will include environmental effects, a review of its effectiveness, adequacy of internal controls, verification of performance information, propriety, and compliance with this agreement and the Act.

The Foundation will also undertake an annual independent audit as part of its annual reporting cycle.

URL of recipient site:  www.asiapacific.ca/


2 Name of recipient: Forum of Federations
Start date: April 1, 2005 End date:  March 31, 2011 Total funding:  $20 million
Description:  The grant provided by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (DFAIT) to the Forum of Federations provides concrete help to the Forum's efforts to promote programs of mutual cooperation. These programs are designed to help develop best practices in countries with federal systems of government, provide expertise and promote exchanges with other countries interested in federal approaches, and assume an international leadership role on work related to federal political systems. The Forum's independence, and its ability to draw on both Canadian experiences and international resources, is the best existing mechanism internationally to provide this exploration of federalism. This grant also covers Canada's annual $50,000 contribution as a member of the Forum's Strategic Council, an advisory body to the Forum's Board of Directors consisting of partner governments that have signed a Framework Arrangement with the Forum.

Funding of Forum activities reaffirms Canada's commitment to the Forum to the world, thus encouraging other governments to partner with the Forum and further promoting its internationalization. The drawdown nature of the grant anticipates an increase in funding from other partner governments that will diminish Canada's financial commitment in the future as the sole or principal source of funding, while concurrently sending a clear message to foreign governments that Canada supports the important work of the Forum and is committed to its becoming a global organization. The pursuit of internationalization will help to further its reputation and prominence by integrating a broader base of federal experiences and continuing to attract high-quality international personnel.

Likewise on the domestic front, the Forum plays to a core value of our national political identity: Canada's commitment to open federalism. Now that it has established its credibility on the international stage, we anticipate that the Forum's neutral status and expertise could continue to pave the way for further activities in the domestic arena, including as a source of ideas on flexible federalism through its new Canada Program.

Strategic outcome:  CANADA'S INTERNATIONAL AGENDA—The international agenda is shaped to Canada's benefit and advantage in accordance with Canadian interests and values.

Canada's support of the Forum of Federations aims to enhance Canada's influence internationally by allowing dialogue on the principles and practice of federalism among key opinion leaders and decision makers and by promoting democratic governance in fragile states, predisposing other countries to Canadian values and interests. In doing so, the Government of Canada also seeks the participation of provinces and territories in Strategic Council meetings, thus promoting a federalism of openness and further enhancing the Canadian model internationally.

Summary of annual plans of recipient:  With core funding from the Government of Canada secured until 2011, the Forum's transformation from a Canadian organization with an international Board to a truly international organization with a diversified funding base continues to be a critical focus of the organization. Guided by this fundamental shift, corporate plans have been developed, taking into account the Forum's Strategic Plan 2004-2010, the 2005 Grant Agreement with the Government of Canada and the adopted Concept Paper on the Forum's Role, Programs and Methods, which was reviewed by the Forum's Strategic Council and adopted by the Forum's Board.

Initial plans for 2008-2009 are outlined below; however, due to the incompatibility of planning cycles, specific details related to the upcoming year are unavailable. Annual plans must be approved by the Forum's Board (scheduled to meet in February 2008) prior to presentation to DFAIT.

Geographic Programming: North America: Canada The Forum will examine issues of federal-provincial/state governance likely to focus on internal trade and environmental assessment. The Forum will work with the Government of Mexico to develop a five-year plan, focusing primarily on the intergovernmental relations and public security sectors. Programming in the United States is expected to be limited to a Global Dialogue roundtable, although the Forum will explore interest indicated by the State Department in joining the Forum. Asia: The Forum will pursue work with civil society in Sri Lanka on "Federalism 101" (provision of documents, translations, etc.) and service delivery at the local government level. Engaging female politicians will be an important focus. In Nepal, the Forum is implementing a multi-year program consisting of two tracks: (1) working with the constituent assembly (technical advice on how to implement federal government structures); and (2) providing "Federalism 101" support to civil society. A three-year program is being developed in Australia based on the new government's priorities (climate change and health care likely). The Forum will continue its work with the Government of India to establish an institute on good governance, which may be tied to an expected cash contribution to the organization. The situations in Pakistan, the Philippines and Indonesia will continue to be monitored. Africa: The Forum will continue to pursue activity in its priority African states: Sudan (federal governance awareness and training, including technical support to the Fiscal and Financial Allocation and Monitoring Commission); Ethiopia (enhancing federalism, with a focus on fiscal federalism and intergovernmental relations and conflict, through academic development, training and policy research, technical assistance and outreach); and Nigeria (intergovernmental relations and service delivery, fiscal federalism and constitutional review). Europe: At the request of Germany, the Forum will assist government officials on benchmarking in federalist states. A joint partnership has been established with Expo Zaragoza to host a meeting on water governance, to be held in Spain in July 2008. The situation in Russia will be monitored, with an exploratory mission under consideration. Middle East: Work in Iraq will continue.

Global Dialogue Program: The theme for the Global Dialogue Program in 2008-2009 will be "diversity in federal countries." Twelve countries will be examined, including Canada.

Operations: Secondments of Swiss and German staff are concluding, with continuations being pursued through partnership agreement negotiations. A German version of Federations magazine will be made available beginning in 2008.

Planned evaluation(s):  As per the Grant Agreement, and as outlined in the Accountability, Risk and Audit Framework that was developed to assist DFAIT in managing this grant, the Forum has agreed to carry out an independent third-party evaluation of activities funded through the grant, according to a framework based on recognized evaluation standards and at a time to be approved by the Board. The terms of reference for the third-party evaluation have been shared with the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The evaluation will measure the overall performance of the Forum in achieving the outcomes identified in the Grant Agreement. The evaluation will also assess the appropriateness and effectiveness of the grant and the fund as a longer-term financing mechanism.

Planned audit(s):  As per the Grant Agreement, the Forum agrees to have carried out an independent performance (value-for-money) audit to ensure economy, efficiency and effectiveness of its activities. The report shall be made public and a copy sent to the Minister of Foreign Affairs. A deadline was not identified for this audit, although a recommendation has been made to the Forum to consider including a value-for-money component into the independent third-party evaluation and audit to be carried out in 2008-2009.

In initial discussions, the DFAIT Audit Division suggested a follow-up audit be conducted in 2008-2009 to check on the status of the recommendations made in the Compliance Audit of March 2007. The DFAIT Intergovernmental Relations Division, responsible for the management of this grant, will determine whether this is required.

URL of recipient site:  www.forumfed.org


3 Name of recipient: Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI)
Start date: January 30, 2003 End date:  N/A Total funding:  $30 million
Description:  CIGI supports world-leading research in the area of global governance, particularly in the area of global economic and financial governance, and furthers Canada's interest in having a stable and well-governed global economic system by bringing together academics, policy analysts, and researchers from around the world to discuss and carry out research on current topics and trends.
Strategic outcome:  CANADA'S INTERNATIONAL AGENDA—The international agenda is shaped to Canada's benefit and advantage in accordance with Canadian interests and values.
Summary of annual plans of recipient:  N/A
Planned evaluation(s):  An independent third-party evaluation is currently under way. The evaluation report must be approved by CIGI's Operational Board of Directors by March 31, 2008.
Planned audit(s):  N/A
URL of recipient site:  www.cigionline.org