CCA Bulletin 08/07

Ottawa, Thursday, February 22, 2007

Federal Government Seeks Input on a Code of Conduct for Procurement, plus Important Announcements

Federal Government Seeks Input on a Code of Conduct for Procurement

Delays on the Federal Accountability Act unaccounted for

Update on the CCA Cultural Policy Mandate

A New Planning Tool for arts, cultural and heritage organizations

Federal Code of Conduct for Procurement

On February 9 2007, the Hon. Michael Fortier, Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada, announced that the federal government is seeking input on a Code of Conduct for Procurement.  ”The Code will ensure that public servants and suppliers are working from the same concise statement of expectations and commitments that clearly outline what is acceptable conduct when contracting with the government,” said Minister Fortier in a public statement.

The Code will consolidate the government's existing legal, regulatory, and policy requirements into a concise and transparent statement of the expectations government has of its employees and its suppliers.  The government is seeking input from interested parties, including suppliers, industry associations, and procurement officers across government.  The draft Code, as well as information on how to participate in the online consultation, is available on the department’s website and through MERX, the government’s electronic tendering system.  The online consultation will be open from February 9 to March 7, 2007.

At its Feb 17-18 meetings, the Board of governors of the Canadian Conference of the Arts (CCA) approved the following set of three overarching principles, which will guide its brief intervention on the matter to be submitted prior to the March 7 deadline.  The CCA also encourages its interested organizational members to also contribute their views to the online consultation.

1. That the federal government commit to procuring work from Canadian cultural workers and suppliers;
2. That when the federal government is contracting artists, it is expected that such contracts be guided by the provisions of the federal Status of the Artist Act;
3. That in keeping with the recent Blue Ribbon Panel’s Report on Grants and Contributions, the objective for accountability and transparency not create a barrier for Canadian artists, creators, and their organizations to fulfill their mandate.

Delays on Federal Accountability Act (FAA) Still Unaccounted For

The political thrust and parry that dominated the fall session of Parliament over the passage of Bill C-2, the Federal Accountability Act (FAA), has now shifted to a debate on the implementation of the legislation.

When federal legislation is passed by both the House of Commons and the Senate and given Royal Assent, there is an additional step that needs to be taken to activate it as the law of the land, called proclamation.

While three of the four steps have been taken, much of the Federal Accountability Act (FAA) is not yet fully activated.  This delay is due in part to the fact that some 150 federal statutes, regulations to be drafted, new positions created and staffed and training of public servants on the administration of the legislation that needs to be undertaken.  It could thus take years before the full legislation is proclaimed, according to recent articles in The Hill Times.

What has been proclaimed?

Some provisions on election financing ban some kinds of donations by corporations, unions, or organizations at any time.  Individual donation limits have decreased from $ 5,000.00 to $ 1,100.00 combined total of gifts to nomination candidates, candidates, and riding associations. The limit for individual donations to party leadership candidates has also been reduced from $5,000.00 to $1,100.00.  Cash donations over $20.00 to politicians and political parties are banned.

The period during which Elections Act violations can be investigated and prosecuted is extended from three years to ten years.  The Chief Electoral Officer has the power to appoint returning officers.

Other measures ensure that Officers of Parliament will be appointed only after all party consultation and a majority vote in the House of Commons.  The staff of politicians will no longer be guaranteed a job as a government employee if the politicians they work for resign or are defeated in an election.  Senior government officials are required to record in writing any disagreement that they have with a Cabinet Minister concerning spending decisions to help ensure that the person responsible is held accountable for illegal or unjustifiable waste.

The Canadian Conference of the Arts (CCA) will continue to follow the implementation process of the remaining elements of the legislation and how they may affect your relations with the federal government and the policy making process.

Updated Cultural Policy Mandate of the Canadian Conference of the Arts (CCA)

Since 1945, the Canadian Conference of the Arts (CCA) has been engaged in the development, analysis, and promotion of public policies to advance the state of the arts and culture in Canadian society.  When it was first created, not only was the CCA the only national umbrella organization bringing all of the arts together, it was also charged with representing specific disciplinary and regional interests of artists, creators, and arts professionals.

Much has changed since those early days.  Now, in addition to many national arts service organizations representing producers, artists, and art forms, there are well-established cultural labour organizations, copyright collectives, as well as provincial, territorial, municipal, and community-based arts umbrella organizations.  Together these organizations ensure that the issues of importance to their specific constituencies are dealt with in a serious and professional manner.

At its February 17 and 18 Board meetings in Ottawa, the governors of the Canadian Conference of the Arts (CCA) felt it was appropriate to revisit the public and cultural policy mandate of the organization in order to reframe its mandate in a manner that is reflective and responsive to the changes ongoing in the arts and culture sector in Canada.  As the oldest and largest national arts umbrella organization, the CCA is well-positioned to maintain a strong role in the articulation, analysis and development of policies that support the continued growth and maturity of the arts and culture sector in Canada.

A new planning tool for arts, cultural and heritage organizations

Good news! 2010 Legacies Now and the Creative City Network of Canada have developed two new resources to assist local governments, as well as arts, cultural and heritage organizations, plan for the future. While targeting local governments, this new tool can certainly, mutatis mutandis, be inspirational for those who operate at other levels of government.

The Cultural Planning Toolkit is a guide to assist with strategic thinking, decision-making and community consultation as you go through the cultural planning process. It includes an adaptable model and practical checklists to help you create and implement a viable plan.

The toolkits are now available in English at www.creativecity.ca/toolkits in PDF format. Print copies will be available shortly. French versions will be available in late spring.