RPP 2007-2008
Privy Council Office and Public Appointments Commission Secretariat

SECTION II - ANALYSIS OF PROGRAM ACTIVITIES BY STRATEGIC OUTCOME

Main Estimates and Planned Spending

The Planned Spending amount by Program Activity has been adjusted to reflect a better internal allocation of PCO's resources between activities. The 2008-2009 Main Estimates amounts will be readjusted accordingly to better reflect this allocation.

Strategic Outcome

Towards effective government policies and operations, the Privy Council Office ensures that decision making by the Prime Minister and Cabinet is well supported, and the institutions of executive government are well supported and maintained.

Analysis of Program Activities

A.1 Support for Cabinet decision making and the legislative agenda

Financial Resources (thousands of dollars)

Human Resources (full-time equivalents)

Description

PCO is the guardian of the Cabinet decision-making process and carries out a coordination function, providing Cabinet and its committees with the support required to prepare for and conduct meetings.

PCO provides consultations, research and advice to facilitate decision making and legislation. PCO also provides advice and support on the management of the Government's legislative and parliamentary agenda to the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform, the Leader of the Government in the Senate and Secretary of State (Seniors), and the Secretary of State and Chief Government Whip.

A.2 Advice to the Prime Minister and ministers on issues, policies, machinery and appointments

Financial Resources (thousands of dollars)

Human Resources (full-time equivalents)

Description 

PCO serves as the department for the Prime Minister and also supports ministers in the Prime Minister's portfolio including the President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification, the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform, the Leader of the Government in the Senate and Secretary of State (Seniors), and the Secretary of State and Chief Government Whip. It consults with key stakeholders, coordinates advice across government departments and agencies, and provides strategic policy, expenditure and communications advice on social, economic, environment, security and intelligence, foreign and defence issues and intergovernmental relations.

PCO also provides advice to the Prime Minister in respect of the exercise of prerogative matters, including those related to machinery of government, legislation and appointments of senior personnel.

Financial Resources (thousands of dollars)

Human Resources (full-time equivalents)

Description

PCO staff consult with stakeholders, research issues and prepare briefing material on the Government's policy agenda. PCO staff provide guidance to departments and agencies on the Government's policy agenda; advice to Cabinet and the Prime Minister on the development and coordination of the Government's policy agenda and the Speech from the Throne; support for democratic reform and the management of the parliamentary and legislative agenda; and assistance for the development of forward-looking, coherent and integrated medium-term policy advice. PCO also exercises a challenge function in respect of policy proposals being brought forward by departments.

Financial Resources (thousands of dollars)

Human Resources (full-time equivalents)

PCO staff consult stakeholders, research issues, and work with responsible agencies to provide advice on the development and implementation of the overall management agenda for the Public Service and its human resources management policies and programs.

The Clerk established the following five focus areas to be used in building the future of the federal public service: clarity around roles, responsibilities and accountabilities; teamwork; the quest for excellence; leadership and a commitment to renewal of the Public Service; and capacity to think and plan for Canada's future. PCO staff promote and work with all departments and agencies to ensure that these five areas are implemented successfully across government

Financial Resources (thousands of dollars)

Human Resources (full-time equivalents)

Description

PCO staff provide financial and administrative support to the PMO and to the offices of portfolio ministers.

A.6    Provide commissions of inquiry with appropriate administrative support

Financial Resources (thousands of dollars)

Human Resources (full-time equivalents)

Description

PCO staff provide the required services to commissions of inquiry (from initial start-up to conclusion). A new commission of inquiry, known as the Internal Inquiry into the Actions of Canadian Officials in Relation to Abdullah Almaki, Ahmad Abou-Elmaati and Muayyed Nurreddin, was created on December 11, 2006, and funding for it will be sought through a Treasury Board Submission and Supplementary Estimates. Estimated resource requirements are not known at this time.