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.
İMinister 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.
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