How Ottawa Works: Public Service of Canada

1. How Ottawa Works: Public Service of Canada Michael Wernick Deputy Clerk of the Privy Council and Associate Secretary to the Cabinet Carleton Initiative for Parliamentary and Diplomatic Engagement January 20, 2016

2. Objectives • To provide an overview of the Public Service of Canada • The Public Service of Canada has a long history, but is also a dynamic and evolving institution, moving toward the Blueprint 2020 vision • It delivers quality programs and services to Canadians and evidence-based advice to government • While the Public Service is not perfect, the institution is values-based and seeks continuous improvement • In our Westminster system, the Public Service is part of the Executive Branch of Government, but assists Parliamentarians 2

3. The Public Service matters • The Public Service of Canada is a world-class institution, capable of skillfully anticipating and responding to the evolving needs of Canadians and the Government they elect: • It is essential to our Westminster model of governance • It is also a key advantage for Canada “A strong, merit-based, non-partisan and representative public service is essential to this country’s success—and indeed to the success of any democratic society” His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada February 27, 2015 “Our ability, as a government, to successfully implement our platform depends on our ability to thoughtfully consider the professional, non-partisan advice of public servants. Each and every time a government employee comes to work, they do so in service to Canada, with a goal of improving our country and the lives of all Canadians” The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada November 13, 2015 (ministerial mandate letters) 3

4. A proud tradition • The fundamentals do not change: • We are professional and non-partisan – each successive Government of Canada can be confident that it will be served loyally and competently • Key features of the Westminster system are ensuring continuity between Governments, and then the peaceful and effective transfer of power • Our non-partisanship is inseparable for our respect for the democratic mandate of the Government • We work in the public interest – citizens can trust that Canada’s Public Service will provide fearless advice and deliver sound programs and services • We ensure sound stewardship – we protect public assets for the benefit of present and future generations • We deliver results – we ensure efficient and effective use of public resources to achieve timely results Enduring Values Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector Respect for Democracy ● Respect for People Integrity ● Stewardship ● Excellence 4

5. Canada’s federal Public Service The Federal Public Service (FPS)refers to the Core Public Administration (CPA) – organizations for which the Treasury Board is the employer – and separate agencies (principally the Canada Revenue Agency, Parks Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the National Research Council Canada) FPS = 257,100 5

6. People – Who are we? 6

7. People (continued) 7

8. Structure 8

9. Service delivery – Three primary channels of service 9

10. Service delivery – Federal regulatory oversight • 869 TESTS/ANALYSES PERFORMED ANNUALLY BY CANADA FOOD INSPECTION LABORATORIES • 7.9K INSPECTIONS AND 121 INVESTIGATIONS CONDUCTED AND REPORTED ON BY ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE CANADA TO ENFORCE REGULATIONS UNDER THE CANADIAN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT AND THE FISHERIES ACT (2013-2014) • 8K FACILITIES ACROSS CANADA ARE REQUIRED BY ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE CANADA TO MONITOR USES, RELEASES AND DISPOSAL OF CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES 10

11. Service delivery – High volumes THE CBSA WELCOMED CLOSE TO 100M LAWFUL TRAVELLERS AND CLEARED MORE THAN 14M COMMERCIAL RELEASES 11

12. Legal frameworks Key Legislation: • Financial Administration Act (1951)– shapes virtually all aspects of government management through the powers it grants to the Treasury Board to oversee departments and other organizations; and sets out the organizations that comprise the core public administration and separate employers (e.g. Canada Revenue Agency; Canada Border Services Agency, Parks Canada Agency, etc.) • Public Service Modernization Act (2003)– significant reforms of human resources management (flexible staffing framework; collaborative labour-management relations; accountabilities for deputy heads and managers) • Public Service Employment Act(2005)– legal framework for a professional and non-partisan public service • Federal Accountability Act (2006) – clarifies the deputy head role in management of resources and internal controls 12

13. Structure of the Public Service Key Features: • Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS)– supports the Treasury Board in its role as the general manager and employer of the public service (responsible for collective bargaining and the policy framework) • Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer – part of TBS, supports a high-quality workforce and workplace (compensation; labour relations; diversity; performance & talent management, etc.) • Public Service Commission – independent agent of Parliament that safeguards the staffing system and the political neutrality of public servants • Head of the Public Service (as per s.126 of the PSEA) – leadership role of the Clerk in advancing the management agenda and renewal and reporting annually on the state of the public service • Departments – Deputy Heads are designated accounting officers; and have the primary responsibility for financial and human resources management in their organizations 13

14. A history of continuous renewal 14

15. The Blueprint 2020 vision A world class public service equipped to serve Canada and Canadians now and into the future • Blueprint 2020 Engagementby the numbers: • More than 110,000 public servants participated in engagement activities across the Public Service in 2013-14 • 85 departments and agencies and 30 networks and communities took part (reports to Clerk) • Over 44,400 tweets have included the #GC2020 hashtag • Rate of user growth on GCconnex since the launch of Blueprint 2020 is 500% • More than 225,200 views of the Blueprint 2020 vision document on the Clerk’s website (October 2015) Four Guiding Principles: • An open and networked environment that engages citizens and partners for the public good; together with… • A whole-of-government approach that enhances service delivery and value for money; enabled by… • A modern workplace that makes smart use of new technologies to improve networking, access to data and customer service; and… • A capable, confident and high-performing workforce that embraces new ways of working and mobilizing the diversity of talent to serve the country’s evolving needs 15

16. The Clerk’s Annual Report – March 2015 Three priority areas for action: • Reinvigorating recruitment, learning and development • Need to recruit individuals with the skills and competencies we will need in the next era, and reinforce learning and development • Building a healthy, respectful and supportive work environment • Mental health challenges are a reality – need to create the space for open and stigma-free dialogue and focus on preventing harm, promoting health and resilience, and addressing incidents or concerns • Reinforcing the policy community as a profession • Need to ensure that the Public Service can continue to provide world-class, timely advice to Government, recognizing the increasing expectation from citizens and stakeholders to engage 16

17. Accountability • The Public Service is part of the Executive Branch – every organization is the responsibility of a Minister who is accountable to Parliament • Parliamentary Committees – public servants may accompany a Minister, or act as their representative, to assist Parliamentary Committees examining legislation, policy, and expenditures • Committees can request production of persons and documents • Deputy heads are designated accounting officers for their organizations, being accountable beforeCommittees, and being required to provide information and explanations to assist Parliament in holding the government to account • Parliamentary Questions – Members of Parliament can file written ‘Order Paper questions’ • Officers of Parliament – there are more than a dozen Officers of Parliament with varying mandates and powers to hold the Executive Branch to account through examinations and reports • Reporting to Parliament – each organization produces a spring report on its plans and a fall report on performance and results • most post quarterly financial statements and numerous program reports and dashboards • Proactive Disclosure – travel and hospitality, contracts, and grants and contributions are routinely posted 17

18. Interaction with Members of Parliament Several avenues: • Parliamentary Committees – public servants appear as witnesses • Constituent Issues – liaison on cases and transactions related to programs and services • Many high-volume organizations have specific MP liaison desks, phone lines, or portals (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada; Passport Canada; Service Canada; Canada Revenue Agency) • Student Employment – summer and co-op employment opportunities (Public Service Commission) • Official Responses – responses to Order Paper questions and correspondence 18

19. Annex A – Useful contacts • Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada: www.cic.gc.ca • Dedicated contact information for MPs: 613-948-8777 or mpverbalenquiries@cic.gc.ca • Passport Canada Portal for Members of Parliament: www.pptc.gc.ca/parl/ • Service Canada: www.servicecanada.gc.ca • Regional Enquiries Units (REUs): Atlantic 1-855-445-3211; Ontario 1-855-215-7575 (EI) / 1-877-233-6061 (CPP & OAS); Quebec 1-888-536-5633 Ext 301 (EI) / 1-866-692-2800 Ext 3001 (CPP & OAS); Western Canada and Territories 1-866-252-9927 • Canada Revenue Agency: www.cra-arc.gc.ca • Problem Resolution Program (PRP) helps to resolve taxpayer problems when normal channels have been unsuccessful – information kits with dedicated contacts provided to MPs (November 2015) • Privy Council Office: www.pco-bcp.gc.ca • Clerk of the Privy Council: www.clerk.gc.ca • Canada School of Public Service: www.csps-efpc.gc.ca • Shared Services Canada: www.ssc-spc.gc.ca • Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat: www.canada.ca/en/treasury-board-secretariat • Parliament of Canada: www.parl.gc.ca • Public Service Commission of Canada: www.psc-cfp.gc.ca • Official website for all Government of Canada jobs open to Canadians outside the public service: www.jobs-emplois.gc.ca • Canadian Public Policy ‘Think Tanks’: • Institute of Public Administration of Canada: www.ipac.ca • Institute on Governance: www.iog.ca • Public Policy Forum: www.ppforum.ca 19