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Section II: Analysis of Program Activities by Strategic Outcome

Strategic outcome

Results under the Secretariat's strategic outcome strengthen the effectiveness and efficiency of federal government management, support Parliament, Treasury Board, and Cabinet decisions, and ensure that Canadians are well served by a government that is accountable and transparent. The strategic outcome is supported by six program activities. Together, these program activities are focussed on supporting a well-managed and accountable public service to achieve results for Canadians by allocating resources appropriately. Effective government contributes to Canada's competitive advantage, providing a foundation for security, stability, and prosperity.

The following section describes the Secretariat's program activities and identifies the expected results, performance indicators, and targets. The financial and human resources planned for each program activity are presented.

Program activities

Program Activity 1: Management Frameworks

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Planning highlights

The Management Frameworks program activity establishes guiding principles and expectations for public service management. It includes setting government-wide policy directions in targeted areas, such as governance, regulatory management, the Management Accountability Framework, service, IM, and IT. Working with all federal organizations, the Secretariat provides leadership, challenge, and community enablement in policy development, compliance, performance reporting, and functional community development. This work includes new and emerging issues and priorities and promoting a cultural shift in the approach to risk and innovation. In turn, this work informs the policies in the People Management, Expenditure Management, and Financial Management program activities.

To support this program activity, the Secretariat will undertake the following activities:

• The Centre of Expertise on Grant and Contribution Programs will continue to engage and work collaboratively with the 21 departments implementing reforms in this area. It will foster a community of practice to promote the sharing of information and consistent, streamlined approaches. This will advance the implementation of the Government of Canada Action Plan to Reform the Administration of Grant and Contribution Programs, and reduce the "rules" burden on recipient organizations, communities and business;
• Refine cyber-authentication and identity-management policy direction. Coordinate work with departments to enable them to increase, at the lowest possible costs to the Crown, the number of government services available online; and
• Continue to work with departments to improve the quality and content of Regulatory Impact Analysis Statements by providing resources, advice, and training through the Centre of Regulatory Expertise.

Benefits for Canadians

Through this program activity, the Secretariat promotes continuous improvement in the quality of public service management. This includes promoting improved management performance, developing policies, and sharing best practices that support the prudent and effective management of government assets and human, financial, information, and technology resources. Removing barriers and inefficiencies will allow departments to deliver on priorities that serve the needs of Canadians while ensuring accountability and transparency.

Program Activity 2: People Management

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Planning highlights

The People Management program activity supports efforts across the federal public service to achieve strong leadership and a well-managed workforce and workplace. Direction-setting activities include the following:

• Developing and implementing people management–related frameworks and policies;
• Setting and monitoring departmental people management performance expectations;
• Conducting research and analysis regarding the state of people management; and
• Supporting the effective management of the leadership cadre.

The program activity also provides public service–wide leadership on managing compensation, which it shares with the Expenditure Management program activity. It includes collective bargaining and associated labour relations as well as establishing and maintaining the public service pension and benefits regime.

To support this program activity, the Secretariat will undertake the following activities:

• Finalize the Treasury Board code of conduct for the federal public sector and the Policy on Conflict of Interest and Post-Employment;
• Implement the Leadership Development Framework;
• Implement the Common HR Business Process in 10 departments; and
• Modernize and improve employee health services (e.g., electronic claims processing for drug benefits).

Canada's Economic Action Plan: Secretariat Initiative

As described in Section I, the Secretariat is coordinating the increase in funding for the Government of Canada's component of the Youth Employment Strategy¹⁴ as outlined in Canada's Economic Action Plan. This Strategy supports youth transition to the workplace. The Secretariat will allocate approximately $48,000 to hire additional students within the Secretariat for the 2010–11 fiscal year. The remaining funding ($9.95 million) will be distributed across 44 federal departments to hire up to 1,000 additional full-time students for the 2010–11 fiscal year. To mitigate potential risks, deputy heads participating in the program have agreed to a consistent implementation strategy to improve program success.

Benefits for Canadians

The People Management program activity will continue to strengthen the management of human resources across the federal public service and thereby support the overall effectiveness of public administration in Canada.

Program Activity 3: Expenditure Management

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Planning highlights

The Expenditure Management program activity helps ensure alignment of resources to achieve government priorities in a way that maximizes value for money and provides a whole-of-government perspective on matters related to direct program spending. Working with all federal organizations that are subject to budget appropriation, the Secretariat undertakes the review, analysis, and challenge of plans and proposals involving departmental spending, expenditure forecasting and strategies, compensation management, and results-based management. This program activity includes part of the Expenditure Management System, the framework for the development and implementation of the government's spending plans and priorities within the limits established by the budget.

To support this program activity, the Secretariat will undertake the following activities:

• Advance results-based expenditure management by implementing the Policy on Evaluation. This includes providing guidance to departments in the production of quality evaluations;
• Enable departments to improve the quality of performance information through the continued implementation of the Policy on Management, Resources and Results Structures;
• Work with departments to continue improving their departmental planning and performance reports to Parliament, including reporting on Canada's Economic Action Plan; and
• Provide sound evidence-based analysis on government-wide compensation and provide labour-market and equitable compensation analyses to support PSECA implementation.

Benefits for Canadians

Expenditure management activities will ensure that the best available information on government spending and resource allocation is provided for decision-making. Canadians benefit from government programs that are effective and efficient, are focussed on results, and provide value for taxpayers' money.

Program Activity 4: Financial Management

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Planning highlights

The Financial Management program activity promotes good financial management practices across government to ensure that financial activities are carried out effectively and efficiently. Working with all federal organizations, the Secretariat:

• Develops financial management, accounting, transfer payment, and internal audit policies, directives, and standards;
• Assists departments by providing leadership, policy advice, and guidance;
• Sets performance expectations and monitors performance;
• Builds capacity within functional communities;
• Plans horizontal audits and conducts audits of small departments;
• Provides financial oversight and reporting; and
• Advises departments on financial authority issues associated with the Financial Administration Act and Appropriation Acts.

To support this program activity, the Secretariat will undertake the following activities:

• Strengthen financial management across the Government of Canada by implementing the Financial Management Framework and the renewed financial policy suite;
• Work with departments to improve governance, risk management, and internal control processes and ensure that they have effective internal audit functions; and
• Build capabilities and capacity in the financial management and internal audit communities to effectively implement the financial policy suite.

Benefits for Canadians

This program activity will continue to strengthen financial management and internal audit practices across the federal public service. In this way, it supports the overall effectiveness of public administration in Canada. Safeguarding public assets and ensuring the effective, efficient and economical use of public resources are key to meeting the expectations of Canadians for transparency and accountability in the management of public resources.

Program Activity 5: Government-wide Funds and Public Service Employer Payments

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Planning highlights

The Government-wide Funds and Public Service Employer Payments program activity accounts for funds that are held centrally to supplement other appropriations. From these funds, payments and receipts are made on behalf of other federal organizations. These funds supplement the standard appropriations process and meet certain responsibilities of the Secretariat as the employer of the federal public service. Information on planned spending is provided in Section III, as online supplementary information.

Program Activity 6: Internal Services

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Planning highlights

The Internal Services program activity is advanced through three program sub-activities (PSAs) that support the Treasury Board and the internal management of the Secretariat. PSAs and key functions are the following:

• Governance and Management Support, including management, oversight, communications, and legal services;
• Resource Management, which includes human resources management, financial management, IM, IT, travel, and other administrative services; and
• Asset Management Services, including real property, materiel management, and acquisitions.

To support this program activity, the Secretariat will undertake the following activities:

• Enhance integrated business planning by improving linkages between operational activities, financial and human resource requirements, and supporting functions such as IM and IT activities.

• To support enhanced financial controls, the Secretariat is one of the first departments to implement the new Policy on Internal Control. Furthermore, the Secretariat is introducing annual controls assessments and action plans, and will continue to work toward auditable financial statements.
• Continue to improve HR operations by implementing common HR business processes and through the expanded use of shared services and systems. Training and support will be provided to employees in adapting to their role as "enablers." A priority will be the full implementation of changes to the Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer.

• Finalize the IM/IT plan for the next three years, which will incorporate changes related to Treasury Board policies and directives, data centre consolidation, and updates to key applications.
• Periodically test the readiness of the newly developed Business Continuity Plan (BCP) to ensure that the Secretariat is able to support government-critical services despite business disruptions. The new BCP will enable the Secretariat to withstand hazards to its business activities, such as pandemics, utility failures, or power outages.

Benefits to Canadians

Efficient and effective internal services are essential to meet the management and financial performance expectations that have been set for the Secretariat and all departments in the federal government.

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