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ARCHIVED - Public Appointments Commission Secretariat - Report

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Section II – Analysis of Program Activities by Strategic Outcome

Strategic Outcome

Strategic Outcome: To ensure fair and competency-based processes are in place for the recruitment and selection of qualified individuals for Governor-in-Council appointments across agencies, boards, commissions and Crown corporations.
Performance Indicators	Targets
As part of a broader performance measurement strategy, performance indicators have been developed for the Commission and its Secretariat.	Implementation of the performance measurement strategy will need to coincide with the establishment of the Commission.
Outcomes toward success will include: public recognition and confidence in public appointment systems; partner compliance with the principles and minimum standards established; widespread use of consistent documents and procedures geared to specific organizational needs; identification and widespread dissemination of best practices; application of procedures to provide for a wider range of applicants; and high quality reporting systems.	Ongoing work by the Secretariat includes conducting reviews of best practices for domestic and international jurisdictions, carrying out literature searches, conducting special studies and identifying gaps in existing selection processes, all of which assisted PCO officials in their ongoing reform efforts. Improvements since 2006 are documented in the Government’s Response to the House of Commons March 2009 Report on the Governor-in-Council Appointments Process. Progress noted in this regard included the enhancement of minimum selection standards, improved guidance and communication protocols, improved vacancy management and greater transparency through the development and continuous update of a centralized website to post vacancies and provide information on Governor-in-Council positions.

Program Activities

Program Activity 1: Oversight of Governor-in-Council appointments

Oversight of Governor-in-Council appointments program activities help to ensure that selection processes for Governor-in-Council appointments are fair and competency based.

Program Activity 1: Oversight of Governor-in-Council appointments
Human Resources (FTEs) and Planned Spending (thousands of dollars)
2011–12		2012–13		2013–14
FTEs	Planned Spending	FTEs	Planned Spending	FTEs	Planned Spending
4	970	4	970	4	970

The financial information shown above reflects planned spending for a fully established Commission and a fully staffed Secretariat.

In 2011-12, the Secretariat will continue to ensure that the groundwork for the Commission is ever-ready, in order to support a quick start-up for the Commission in support of its mandate to provide excellence in Governor-in-Council appointments. Establishing good appointment processes will assist in identifying a range of people with the appropriate skills, knowledge and experience for consideration for Governor-in-Council appointments, which will help to ensure that high quality candidates are recommended to ministers for their review.

In 2011-12, the Secretariat will continue to engage in the following activities:

ensure that options are developed for a principle-based and proportional Code of Practice, (including minimum standards covering selection criteria, recruitment strategies, assessment processes and procedures, and guidance to assist auditors to assess compliance with the Code of Practice, once implemented) and keep abreast of recent domestic and international trends in this regard;
continue research into domestic and international agencies responsible for public appointments to identify best practices; and
assist PCO officials in developing frameworks for reporting on improvements to the public appointments system, including evaluation frameworks.

Planning Highlights

Program Activity 1	Operational Priority
Oversight of Governor-in-Council appointments	Conducting research into domestic and international selection processes to identify trends and best practices
Plans to meet this priority in 2011-12
In 2011-12, the Secretariat’s research into domestic and international selection processes to identify trends and best practices will include: assessing policy options to improve flexibility with respect to the current appointments system; reviewing policy options for reappointments to Governor-in-Council positions; and reviewing performance assessment systems, with a focus on the varying requirements of junior and senior positions.

Benefits for Canadians

Certainty and consistency in appointment policies help to ensure that appropriate practices and standards are followed during appointment processes. This, in turn, helps to ensure the effectiveness of the governing boards that direct and control government organizations. This approach underlines the Government’s commitment to public service values and, ultimately, contributes to well-managed and efficient government operations.

Program Activity 2: Internal services

Internal services program activities support the effective and efficient delivery of activities under Program Activity 1.

Program Activity 2: Internal services
Human Resources (FTEs) and Planned Spending (thousands of dollars)
2011–12		2012–13		2013–14
FTEs	Planned Spending	FTEs	Planned Spending	FTEs	Planned Spending
0	100	0	100	0	100

The Public Appointments Commission Secretariat is limited in size. Nevertheless, the Secretariat must function as a department within the meaning of Schedule 1.1 of the Financial Administration Act. To this end, the Public Appointments Commission Secretariat has a Memorandum of Understanding with PCO’s Corporate Services Branch, which provides most of the administrative and financial services.