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Investing in people, discovery and innovation
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
Performance Report
for the period ending March 31, 2001
Brian Tobin,
Minister of Industry
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. BT31-4/55-2001
ISBN 0-660-61709-9
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
The challenge
The next millennium will see a continued expansion of the global knowledge-based economy. Canada's prosperity depends upon people, knowledge and innovation, especially in science and technology, as we transform our economy from one based on commodities to one based on value-added products in all sectors. Science and technology will also continue to enhance our quality of life by helping us improve the management of our resources, environment, public education, and health system.
Who we are
NSERC (the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada) is the national instrument for making strategic investments in Canada's capabilities in science and technology. NSERC functions at arm's length from the federal government. It is funded directly by Parliament and reports to it through the Minister of Industry.
What we do
Our mission is to invest in people, discovery, and innovation to build a strong Canadian economy and to improve the quality of life for all Canadians. NSERC advances government-wide priorities of building a stronger Canada, creating opportunities for young Canadians, and investing in knowledge and creativity.
NSERC supports world-class research and the training of Canada's brightest young people. As a result, Canada has access to leading-edge science and technology from around the world and highly qualified people expert in it. Students trained with the help of NSERC support acquire the skills needed to generate knowledge and pursue rewarding careers in all sectors of society. These investments in Canada's knowledge base lead to innovations in industry and advances in setting policy, standards and regulations, and in solving problems, thus strengthening our economy and improving the quality of life for all Canadians.
Some of our accomplishments
In recent years, NSERC has been successful in:
- maintaining a strong presence in world science and engineering research by supporting annually nearly 10,000 of the most creative and productive Canadian professors;
- supporting the training of more than 55,000 master's and doctoral students, and young research professionals since 1978, who have had little trouble finding well-paying, productive jobs and who are contributing to Canada's knowledge-based economic sectors;
- supporting the development of new processes and products, some leading to the formation of new companies, all of which contribute significantly to the national economy;
- encouraging Canadian industry to invest more than $700 million since 1978 in university research and training activities;
- introducing new concepts and programs to ensure the research community optimises its contributions to Canada's prosperity.
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