ARCHIVED - The National Battlefields Commission

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Ottawa, Canada K1A 0M5

The Canadian Heritage portfolio strives to give Canadians the opportunity to participate in society, to achieve their full potential, and to celebrate their heritage and their culture. As a Canadian Heritage portfolio agency, the National Battlefields Commission is working to achieve this goal.

Over the next three years, the National Battlefields Commission will dedicate itself to the conservation and development of Battlefields Park and will offer Canadians and visitors a wide variety of interpretation and educational services. In particular, in 2009 and 2010, the Commission will commemorate the historical battles of Québec City that took place 250 years earlier, in 1759 and 1760. The park’s users and visitors will thus benefit from the opportunity to increase their knowledge of this key episode in the history of our country.

As Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, I invite you to read the Report on Plan and Priorities for 2009-2010 prepared by the National Battlefield Commission. This report shows the Commission's commitment to insuring that the creativity and innovation of Canadian society contribute not only to our cultural vitality but also to our future.

The Honourable James Moore P.C., M.P.

Section I - Overview

1.1   Summary Information

Raison d’être

Responsibilities

The NBC is responsible for the administration, management, conservation and promotion of National Battlefields Park (located in Quebec City) and manages funds allocated for this purpose.

The Commission takes its mandate from the Act respecting the National Battlefields at Quebec, 7-8 Edward VII, ch 57 and its amendments, passed on March 17, 1908. It reports to Parliament through the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages. It is headed by a board of seven commissioners appointed by the Governor General in Council, and one member appointed by the provinces of Quebec and Ontario (currently vacant).

The Chairman and the Board set broad policy for attainment of strategic outcomes and exercise general supervision.

The Secretary, who acts as Director General, is appointed by the Governor General in Council and is responsible for implementation of policy and for day-to-day management of all NBC operations. He therefore strives for attainment of both strategic outcomes and program targets. This is the level where decisions are made on the allocation and re-allocation of resources for these purposes. The Secretary/Director General is aided by an assistant and supervises the managers in charge of all program activities.

The grounds of the NBC constitute one of the most important historic sites in Canada. Commonly called the Plains of Abraham, the site is the largest urban park in Quebec City and one of the most prestigious parks in the world. Its historical, cultural, recreational, natural and scientific aspects make it unique. The NBC must thus reconcile the Plains of Abraham’s historic significance with its mission as an urban park. The NBC must preserve this historic Canadian legacy for future generations and develop it so that the public fully benefits from these treasures and Canadians learn more about the major events in Canadian history associated with this important site.

Through its initiatives and responsibilities, the NBC helps enhance Canadians’ pride in their country, ensures that the Government of Canada has pride of place, encourage Canadians to participate in and contribute to our society, ensure access to Canadian voices and spaces, and protects Canada’s heritage.

Strategic Outcome

The NBC works to achieve the following strategic outcome:

The Commission’s role is to develop the great historic battlefields of Quebec City into a national park that is among the most prestigious parks in the world, with a balance between its historic and urban roles, which allows for safe use and promotes the assets of the park, its history and the history of our country.

Program Activities Architecture (PPA)

1.2   Planning Summary

The Financial Resources table presents the organization’s total financial resources (total planned spending) over the next three fiscal years.

The Human Resources table presents the organization’s total planned human resources over the next three fiscal years.

SUMMARY TABLE

In 2008-2009, financial resources for internal services are prorated to program activities at the rate of 60% for Conservation and Development and 40% for Public Education and Services.

* See 2.3 "Internal Services" for explanation

Contribution of Priorities to Strategic Outcome

1.3   Risk Analysis

Over the next three years, the NBC will continue to carry out regular park maintenance and development and offer first-rate educational and public services in line with the park’s history. In 2009 and 2010, the Commission will focus its efforts on commemorating the 250^th anniversary of the historic battles of 1759 and 1760. This will be an excellent opportunity to raise awareness among Canadians and foreign visitors about this page in our history. A number of partners, including the Sociétés d’arts et d’histoire, municipalities and groups dedicated to the recreation of historic battles, have enthusiastically confirmed their participation in the 250^th anniversary commemorative events. The NBC understands that the issue is sensitive and could stir up strong feelings. It has therefore decided to focus on and present all the available historical facts related to the events in an impartial manner.

The NBC is authorized to spend revenues earned during the fiscal year. Considering the factors that may affect income, such as the difficult economic conditions, the NBC will rigorously monitor its management and plan spending according to the priorities set for each of its units. The Commission will ensure sound management of its material, financial and human resources in accordance with the government’s administrative rules and regulations. It will carefully analyse all new projects and re-evaluate existing ones, when necessary, and consult the Board as need be.

In 2009–2010, changes are to be expected within the NBC’s organization structure owing to the retirement of some of its staff members. The NBC must pursue its succession planning and preparation, welcome a new Secretary/Director General and new employees and, in some cases, provide training. The workload could increase as a result of these changes and the priorities to be met in 2009 and 2010.

Furthermore, as part of its preparations for the 250^th anniversary celebrations of the battles of 1759 and 1760, the NBC plans to establish partnerships with various organizations from the greater Quebec City area, thus helping to increase the services offered and allowing visitors to gain a better understanding of these historic events.

Generally, Battlefields Park welcomes over four million visitors in a given year. Several factors, such as the number of activities and weather conditions, can affect park visitation numbers and, consequently, revenues. Rigorous management and constant monitoring must be ensured in order to change priorities and operate within the allocated budget.

Notwithstanding the challenges it will face, the NBC is optimistic about its ability to carry out the planned priorities and achieve the expected results.

DEPARTMENTAL SPENDING TREND

The fluctuation can be explained as follows:

• In 2006-2007, the Commission obtained supplementary funding for infrastructure repairs.
• In 2007-2008, supplementary funding was obtained to organize celebrations as part of the 100^th anniversary of the NBC, make major infrastructure repairs and carry out risk-management work.
• In 2008-2009, supplementary funding was obtained to organize celebrations as part of the NBC’s 100^th anniversary.
• Funds were transferred in 2009-2010 to renovate the Commission’s administrative offices.

1.4   Voted and Statutory Items displayed in the Main Estimates (in thousands of dollars)

This table illustrates the way in which Parliament approved NBC resources, and shows the changes in resources derived from the Main Estimates and other authorities, as well as how funds were spent.

The $664,000 (rounded) difference between the 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 Main Estimates can be explained as follows:

• The use of $425,000 in the 2008-2009 budget to build sanitary facilities;
• The allocation of $235,000 in 2008-2009 for the NBC’s 100^th anniversary celebrations;
• The allocation of $5,315 for 2009-2010 to cover salary increases and adjust the EBP factor from 20% to 17% (ie, $374,000 - $365,000 = $9,000), a $3,683 reduction.

Total reduction: 663,685 $ (664,000 $)

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