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PRIME MINISTER ANNOUNCES FORMATION OF TASK FORCE ON MODERNIZING HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE

April 3, 2001
Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Jean Chrétien today announced the formation of the Task Force on Modernizing Human Resources Management in the Public Service. The Prime Minister also confirmed that the Honourable Lucienne Robillard, President of the Treasury Board, will be the Minister responsible for the reform of human resources management in the Public Service.

The Prime Minister has appointed Ranald A. Quail, currently the Deputy Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada and Deputy Receiver General, as Senior Advisor to the Privy Council Office to head the Task Force, which will report to Mr. Mel Cappe, Clerk of the Privy Council, Secretary to Cabinet and Head of the Public Service. This appointment is effective Monday, April 9, 2001. The Task Force will support the Honourable Lucienne Robillard as Minister responsible for human resources management reform.

"For generations, Canadians have been well served by a public service which is committed to excellence," the Prime Minister said. "As I indicated in my replies to both the Speech from the Throne and the Clerk’s 8th Annual Report on the Public Service of Canada, the Government is committed to ensuring that future generations of Canadians can count on a public service that is innovative, dynamic and reflective of the diversity of the country. To that end, the Government will take all the steps necessary to ensure that we continue to have the talent necessary for a public service that is committed to excellence. And we will make the necessary reforms to modernize the public service for the requirements of the 21st century."

Over the years, there have been a number of reports which have common themes with respect to improving human resources management in the Public Service:

  • there is a need for clarity in roles of the players on human resources management;
  • managers must have a greater responsibility for human resources management; and,
  • there is a need to improve the efficiency of the system and ensure fairness in the treatment of employees.

The mandate of the Task Force is to recommend a modern policy, legislative and institutional framework for the management of human resources, to enable the Public Service to attract, retain and develop the talent needed to serve Canadians. The work of the Task Force will be guided by the values of merit, non-partisanship, representativeness and competence. The Clerk will also draw on the advice of an External Advisory Group that will comprise expertise from the private, public and academic sectors.

A biographical note for Mr. Ranald A. Quail and a backgrounder are attached.

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PMO Press Office: (613) 957-5555

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BACKGROUNDER

TASK FORCE ON MODERNIZING

HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE

In the January 2001 Speech from the Throne, the Government "committed to the reforms needed for the Public Service of Canada to continue evolving and adapting. These reforms will ensure that the Public Service is innovative, dynamic and reflective of the diversity of the country - able to attract and develop the talent needed to serve Canadians in the 21st century."

In the 8th Annual Report to the Prime Minister on the Public Service of Canada, tabled in Parliament on March 30, 2001, the Clerk of the Privy Council signalled the move from an "incremental approach to reform to a more fundamental reform of the legislative framework for human resources management in the Public Service."

Modernization of the laws and structures governing human resources management in the Public Service is being undertaken to enable the Public Service to become a modern, people-centred institution which serves Canadians effectively in an economy and society based on knowledge.

The current laws and rules which cover how people are managed in the Public Service are neither flexible nor responsive enough to allow the Public Service to compete for and retain the talent needed in today’s knowledge economy, and to replace those planning to retire over the next decade.

The Public Service of Canada has evolved over the years to respond to changing circumstances. In 1918 a three member Civil Service Commission was established and made responsible for recruitment, organization, classification, compensation, promotion and transfers of personnel.

The next significant reforms were in 1961 and 1967 with the update of the Civil Service Act and the introduction of the Public Service Employment Act, which governs appointments to the Public Service; the Public Service Staff Relations Act which introduced collective bargaining, and amendments to the Financial Administration Act which designated the Treasury Board as the employer.

In the 1990s, PS2000 led to some changes to the Public Service Employment Act and La Relève introduced changes within the existing laws and structures. Throughout the decade, deputy ministers became increasingly engaged in human resources management.

Recently, such concerns have been brought forward by:

  • the Auditor General (Chapter 9, April 2000 Report and his Capstone Report, 2001);
  • the Fryer Committee (Advisory Committee on Labour Management Relations in the Federal Public Service);
  • ommittee of Senior Officials (COSO) subcommittees; and,
  • the Strong Committee (Advisory Committee on Senior Level Retention and Compensation - Third Report - December 2000).

Previously, calls for reform came from:

  • Glassco (Royal Commission on Government Organization, 1962);
  • Lambert (Royal Commission on Financial Management & Accountability, 1979);
  • D’Avignon (Special Committee on the Review of Personnel Management and the Merit Principle, 1979);
  • Public Service 2000 (1990);Hynna (Consultative Review of Staffing, 1996); and,
  • La Relève: A Commitment to Action (1997).

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RANALD ANDREW QUAIL

Date of birth: July 1939

Education:

B.Sc. (Civil Engineering), University of New Brunswick

Professional Experience:

June 1993 to present
Deputy Minister of Public Works and Government Services, and Deputy Receiver General of Canada

February 1993 - June 1993
Deputy Minister of Public Works

1990 - 1993
Associate Deputy Minister, Transport Canada and Commissioner, Canadian Coast Guard

1985 to 1990
Assistant Deputy Minister, Marine, Transport Canada

1984 - 1985
Commissioner, Canadian Coast Guard, Transport Canada

1975 - 1984
Deputy Commissioner, Canadian Coast Guard, Transport Canada,

1962 - 1975
Numerous positions of increasing responsibility with the St. Lawrence Seaway Authority, and Chairman, Great Lakes Pilotage Authority from 1972 - 1975


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