|
Improved Reporting to Parliament Pilot Document
Each year, the government prepares Estimates in support of its request to
Parliament for authority to spend public monies. This request is formalized
through the tabling of appropriation bills in Parliament.
The Estimates of the Government of Canada are structured in several parts.
Beginning with an overview of total government spending in Part I, the documents
become increasingly more specific. Part II outlines spending according to
departments, agencies and programs and contains the proposed wording of the
conditions governing spending which Parliament will be asked to approve.
The Report on Plans and Priorities provides additional detail on each
department and its programs primarily in terms of more strategically oriented
planning and results information with a focus on outcomes.
The Departmental Performance Report provides a focus on results-based
accountability by reporting on accomplishments achieved against the performance
expectations and results commitments as set out in the spring Report on Plans
and Priorities.
The Estimates, along with the Minister of Finance's Budget, reflect the
government's annual budget planning and resource allocation priorities. In
combination with the subsequent reporting of financial results in the Public
Accounts and of accomplishments achieved in Departmental Performance Reports,
this material helps Parliament hold the government to account for the allocation
and management of funds.
©Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada -- 2001 Available
in Canada through your local bookseller or by mail from Canadian Government
Publishing -- PWGSC
Ottawa, Canada K1A 0S9
Catalogue No. BT31-4/26-2001 ISBN 0-660-61672-6
Foreword
In the spring of 2000 the President of the Treasury Board tabled in
Parliament the document "Results for Canadians: A Management Framework for the
Government of Canada". This document sets a clear agenda for improving and
modernising management practices in federal departments and agencies.
Four key management commitments form the basis for this vision of how the
Government will deliver their services and benefits to Canadians in the new
millennium. In this vision, departments and agencies recognise that they exist
to serve Canadians and that a "citizen focus" shapes all activities,
programs and services. This vision commits the government of Canada to manage
its business by the highest public service values. Responsible spending means
spending wisely on the things that matter to Canadians. And finally, this vision
sets a clear focus on results - the impact and effects of programs.
Departmental performance reports play a key role in the cycle of planning,
monitoring, evaluating, and reporting of results through ministers to Parliament
and citizens. Earlier this year, departments and agencies were encouraged to
prepare their reports following certain principles. Based on these principles,
an effective report provides a coherent and balanced picture of performance that
is brief and to the point. It focuses on results - benefits to Canadians -
not on activities. It sets the department's performance in context and
associates performance with earlier commitments, explaining any changes.
Supporting the need for responsible spending, it clearly links resources to
results. Finally the report is credible because it substantiates the performance
information with appropriate methodologies and relevant data.
In performance reports, departments strive to respond to the ongoing and
evolving information needs of parliamentarians and Canadians. The input of
parliamentarians and other readers can do much to improve these reports over
time. The reader is encouraged to assess the performance of the organization
according to the principles outlined above, and provide comments to the
department or agency that will help it in the next cycle of planning and
reporting.
This report is accessible electronically from the Treasury Board of Canada
Secretariat Internet site: http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/rma/dpr/dpre.asp Comments or
questions can be directed to this Internet site or to: Results Management and
Reporting Directorate Treasury Board Secretariat L'Esplanade Laurier Ottawa,
Ontario, Canada K1A 0R5 Tel.: (613) 957-7167 - Fax: (613) 957-7044
|
