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Section II – Analysis of Program Activities by Strategic Outcome

Introduction

Elections Canada operates under a Program Activity Architecture (PAA) that contains one main strategic outcome:

The PAA contains one program activity: Elections. Within this activity, Elections Canada is committed to providing four key programs that are beneficial to Canadians:

• delivering federal elections, by‑elections and referendums that maintain the integrity of the electoral process, and administering the political financing provisions of the Canada Elections Act
• achieving and maintaining a state of readiness to deliver electoral events whenever they may be called, and improving the delivery of electoral events
• providing timely and high-quality public education and information programs, as well as assurance that support on electoral matters is available to the public, parliamentarians, political entities and other stakeholders
• administering the Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act, under which readjustment of federal electoral boundaries is carried out by independent commissions after each decennial (10‑year) census to reflect changes and movements in Canada’s population

We have also identified major initiatives to improve our internal services and operations. The initiatives will increase our efficiency and ultimately our ability to deliver our strategic outcome to Canadians. The initiatives planned for 2009–10 are discussed later in this section under Corporate Services.

The following sections describe Elections Canada’s key program activities, and identify the expected results and measures for each of them. Each section also explains how Elections Canada plans to achieve the expected results, and presents the financial and human resources that will be dedicated to each key program activity.

Key Program 1: Electoral Event Delivery, Political Financing, and Compliance and Enforcement

Electoral Event Delivery, Political Financing, and Compliance and Enforcement

Expected Results	Measures
Delivery of high-quality elections, by‑elections and referendums	level of trust from electors regarding the administration of the electoral process, the list of electors, the voting process and the electoral results satisfaction of stakeholders (voters, political entities, election workers) with electoral products and services operational systems, equipment and procedures for the electoral event in place and on time statutory deadlines met during the election timely and effective implementation of changes to the electoral process
Fair, efficient and transparent administration of the political financing provisions	level of trust from Canadians and political entities regarding the administration of the political financing regime financial agents of political entities satisfied with the support, services and products provided by Elections Canada related to the political financing regime public funding payments that comply with statutory requirements and time frames timely publication of the financial returns of political entities
Effective compliance and enforcement programs; and Electoral events in accordance with legal requirements	turnaround time for resolving complaints and referrals ratio of complaints resolved to complaints received

 

Financial Resources ($ thousands)

2009–10	2010–11	2011–12
39,876	33,676	33,676

 

Human Resources (Full-Time Equivalents)

2009–10	2010–11	2011–12
61	68	68

Key Program Summary

This key program includes the delivery of federal elections, by‑elections and referendums as they are required. It also includes the administration of the provisions of the Canada Elections Act related to political financing. This involves maintaining a registry of political entities and third parties; reviewing financial returns to verify compliance with the statutory provisions; determining the reimbursement or subsidy amount to be paid to a political entity and/or its auditor; publishing financial returns; assisting political entities with compliance through filing extensions and return amendments; and maintaining a state of readiness for future electoral events.

Finally, this key program requires Elections Canada to deal with complaints and referrals concerning contraventions of the Canada Elections Act, and to address alleged violations.

Planning Highlights

As a contribution toward achieving the expected results for this program, Elections Canada plans to undertake the following highlight activities in 2009–10:

• Political Financing – Expand training programs and tools for political entities and Elections Canada employees, including on-line tutorials for official agents of candidates and financial agents. Development of a new political entity registration system will also be pursued.
• Compliance and Enforcement – Continue to build on the achievements of 2008–09 by strengthening the agency’s investigative capacity to deal with political financing files and respond to complaints.

Benefits for Canadians

This key program provides Canadians with an electoral process that is democratic, fair and in compliance with the Canada Elections Act.

Key Program 2: Electoral Event Readiness and Improvements

Electoral Event Readiness and Improvements

Expected Results	Measures
State of readiness achieved and maintained to deliver electoral events whenever they may be called	level of agency preparation at various readiness dates extent to which the agency mitigates the risks of a general election called prior to a predetermined readiness date (e.g. contingency plans are in place for all key services) currency and coverage of National Register of Electors
Improved delivery of electoral events in response to stakeholders’ concerns and expectations	satisfaction of stakeholders (voters, political entities, election workers) with Elections Canada services electors’ perception of the accessibility of registration and the voting process rate of use of new registration and voting methods by electors (eventual indicator)

 

Financial Resources ($ thousands)

2009–10	2010–11	2011–12
43,906	49,529	49,529

 

Human Resources (Full-Time Equivalents)

2009–10	2010–11	2011–12
206	211	211

Key Program Summary

This key program includes keepingelectoral processes, systems, databases and materials up to date, and training staff and election officers to be ready for any electoral event. Elections Canada regularly updates the National Register of Electors from the most current data sources. The key program also includes the improvement of electoral events in response to stakeholders’ concerns – for example, through the implementation of new legislation and new registration and voting methods.

Planning Highlights

As a contribution toward achieving the expected results for this program, Elections Canada plans to undertake the following highlight activities in 2009–10:

Electoral Event Readiness

• Return to Readiness – The agency will return to a full readiness state for September 1, 2009, while ensuring it has adequate contingency plans in place should a general election occur before then. Returning to readiness involves key activities such as replenishing electoral materials and supplies, training new returning officers, conducting some field preparation activities, renewing contracts for key service providers, and ensuring the ongoing maintenance of the National Register of Electors as well as geography data and products.
• Keeping Abreast of Legislative and Judicial Developments – As required, we will monitor and analyze legislative changes and judicial decisions, and implement the resulting changes to the electoral process.

Electoral Event Improvements

• Assessing the Impact of New Legislation – The agency will assess the impacts in the 40th general election of the most recent changes made to the electoral framework (by bills C‑31 and C‑18) and will provide recommendations to Parliament.
• E-registration – We will develop and implement an e-registration system by October 1, 2010, to improve access to voter registration by allowing electors to register on-line anywhere and at any time.
• Targeted Accessibility – We will increase the number of advance poll locations in rural areas to make it easier for rural electors to vote.
• SVR Information Management – We will complete the modernization of the Special Voting Rules information management system to improve event voting service delivery for the six classes of electors who vote by special ballot.
• National Register of Electors – We will pursue initiatives to improve the quality of the National Register of Elector and to decrease the need for registration activities during elections.

Benefits for Canadians

This program activity provides Canadians with the ability to exercise their democratic right to vote using modern, fair and accessible means.

Key Program 3: Public Education and Information, and Support for Stakeholders

Public Education and Information, and Support for Stakeholders

Expected Results	Measures
Public education and information Electors become aware of their right to vote, key dates in the electoral calendar, and voting rules and procedures Groups most likely to experience difficulties in exercising their democratic rights are engaged regarding electoral processes and initiatives relevant to them	public awareness and understanding of Elections Canada’s public education and information campaign timely dissemination of information on the conduct of an election to Canadians, political parties and Parliament
Engagement of political parties (Support for Stakeholders) Improved channels of communication with parliamentarians and political parties	satisfaction level of parliamentarians and political parties regarding the quality of advice and technical support provided by Elections Canada

 

Financial Resources ($ thousands)

2009–10	2010–11	2011–12
10,628	10,628	10,628

 

Human Resources (Full-Time Equivalents)

2009–10	2010–11	2011–12
44	44	44

Key Program Summary

This key program activity aims to inform and educate electors and specific groups about federal electoral events, as well as to inform Canadians of major changes to the electoral process. It also assists the agency in evaluating its key activities by developing qualitative and quantitative research to assess Elections Canada’s performance in delivering electoral events. Under this key program, the agency provides both parliamentarians and political parties with advice and technical support, and coordinates information exchanges with similar agencies in other countries.

Planning Highlights

As a contribution toward achieving the expected results for this program, Elections Canada plans to undertake the following highlight activities in 2009–10:

• Communications Evaluation Framework – The agency will finalize the development of a framework, including performance indicators, and test or implement it during by‑elections or a general election. The framework will increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the agency’s communications by providing a better understanding of the impacts on target audiences.
• Corporate Research – We will undertake research linked to the Strategic Plan on topics such as voter participation as well as registering and voting on-line, and will refine studies of the evaluation of the 40th general election. We will also develop and implement a Corporate Research Framework.
• Youth Engagement – We will undertake research to address issues such as barriers to youth voting, and identify key factors and vehicles for engaging youth. We will also work with governmental and non-governmental partners, including provincial and territorial electoral management bodies, and will participate with key stakeholders in a number of initiatives directly targeting youth.
• Engagement of Political Parties – In 2009–10 we will continue the renewal of the Advisory Committee of Political Parties. An initial consultation with the committee was conducted in June 2008 to discuss its mandate and objectives. We will also explore new ways to communicate and consult with the committee, with the aim of fostering more collaborative approaches in resolving issues of mutual interest.

Benefits for Canadians

This program activity encourages Canadians to exercise their democratic rights, and educates them about the process and benefits of doing so.

Key Program 4: Electoral Boundaries Redistribution

Electoral Boundaries Redistribution

Expected Results	Measures
Efficient and non-partisan administration of the Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act	Support services provided by Elections Canada are appropriate, and allow for the effective and timely conduct of redistribution activities.

 

Financial Resources ($ thousands)

2009–10	2010–11	2011–12
0	0	0

 

Human Resources (Full-Time Equivalents)

2009–10	2010–11	2011–12
0	0	0

Key Program Summary

This program activity is initiated after each decennial (10-year) census. The next redistribution will start once we receive the 2011 census return. Federal electoral boundaries and representation in the House of Commons are readjusted to reflect changes and movements in Canada’s population. Readjustment of federal electoral boundaries is carried out by independent commissions in each province, with the support of Elections Canada.

Planning Highlights

As a contribution toward achieving the expected results for this program, Elections Canada plans to undertake the following highlight activities in 2009–10:

• Supporting Tools – The agency will begin the assessment and development of tools (including systems) required to support the process.

Benefits for Canadians

This program activity ensures that the representation of Canadians in the House of Commons is fair and equitable relative to the population density within Canada’s boundaries.

Corporate Services

Financial Resources ($ thousands)

2009–10	2010–11	2011–12
25,225	23,699	23,699

 

Human Resources (Full-Time Equivalents)

2009–10	2010–11	2011–12
83	81	81

Program Activity Summary

Elections Canada’sinternal services and enabler groups are the backbone of the agency, allowing it to fulfill its mandate. These groups focus on human resources modernization, performance management, internal audit, financial and human resources management, delegation of authority, and information technology.

Planning Highlights

Information Technology Renewal – As we work to meet the objectives of the Strategic Plan, the IT Renewal project will deliver an IT environment that is service-centred, standardized and centralized. Its Web-based interface will allow the environment to be more agile, responsive, robust andaccessible, while ensuring the privacy and security of individuals’ information.

The project is a key component of providing enhanced services to electors, such as e‑registration and e-voting.

In the coming fiscal year IT Renewal will establish an Enterprise Architecture function within the Information Technology Sector; this will provide standards and direction to all project teams, including e-registration and Special Voting Rules. IT Renewal will also implement an operational system portal, establish a Program Management function within the directorate and pilot implementation of the IT Service Management function at the Elections Canada helpdesk.

The existing data centre will be moved from Elections Canada premises to a facility provided by Public Works and Government Services Canada. This move is necessary to ensure that Elections Canada has a robust, expandable and secure data centre able to meet future requirements for growth and availability as we offer enhanced electronic services to voters.

Development Program for Elections Canada Managers, Returning Officers and Elections Canada Staff – We will implement a Corporate Learning function, intended to guide the development of an integrated and modular training, coaching and mentoring program for Elections Canada managers, and to put in place a framework for training and development for all employees. This strategy is in support of the agency’s five-year Strategic Plan.

Performance Management Framework – We will complete an integrated evaluation report on the 40th general election. We will develop an overall strategy for advancing a performance management framework intended to improve the measurement and communication of our results.

External Governance – We will complete the renewal of the Advisory Committee of Political Parties. We will also establish a Management Advisory Board to provide advice and guidance to the agency’s senior management.

Internal Audit – The Internal Audit function is a key component of Elections Canada’s management framework. In 2009–10, we will achieve compliance with Treasury Board policy, as adapted to maintain the independence of an officer of Parliament. We will pursue our effort to build and maintain our internal audit capacity. Table 6 in section 3-1 of this report describes our planned internal audit activities for 2009–10.

A-Base Review – Elections Canada plans to undertake a review of programs and an internal reallocation of resources. The aim is to ensure that they are aligned with our strategic priorities and the key ongoing results we deliver to Canadians. The review will allow Elections Canada to: establish realistic resource levels reflecting its size, complexity and unique mandate; identify opportunities for internal reallocations; and to identify opportunities to gain efficiencies and effectiveness through renewed service delivery models and business processes.

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