• Candid policy advice and support to issues management is provided in a timely manner and reflects the public interest, policy agenda and priorities of the government.

• Policy advice demonstrates policy coherence from both departmental and portfolio management perspectives.

• Information and supporting analysis is complete and clearly articulates immediate and longer-term risks and consequences of policy and provides options to enable decision.

• Issues are anticipated in advance and Minister is briefed and prepared, with appropriate responses before they arise.

• Demonstrates adaptability and quick response capability, as unplanned issues and priorities arise.

• Advice clearly reflects the governance and accountability framework of the government.

• An effective communications strategy is developed and implemented to assist the Minister and government in informing the public and in obtaining support for initiatives from key stakeholders.

• Consultation has taken place with other government leaders, central agencies and key stakeholders, to ensure their input to issues management and policy development.

• Effective relations with Minister’s staff are established and maintained.

• Departmental staff are informed in a timely manner of the policy decisions and directions of the government, to enable them to be met and carried out effectively.

• Demonstrates support for the decisions and policy agenda of the Minister and government, representing them before various stakeholders and influencing expectations on behalf of the government.

• Demonstrates support to the Minister regarding parliamentary relations and processes and to the Cabinet system and processes.

• The Minister, Privy Council Office and other key stakeholders have provided a positive assessment of support provided.

• Assessment and feedback from Minister and other senior government officials.

• Public and media response to policy decisions and issues management.

• Observable consequences and results of advice and directions taken.

• A clearly articulated strategy for the department is in place that reflects the government’s agenda and priorities.

• Annual and longer-term plans are developed and implemented, within required time frames and approved budgets that support the achievement of the strategy.

• Plans and strategies are clear, comprehensive and timely and are achievable with resource capabilities.

• Consultation has taken place with other government leaders, clients and partners to ensure coherence and collaboration across the government, and with stakeholders.

• Citizen engagements have taken place in the development and implementation of programs and services.

• Security measures, strategies and programs are developed and implemented to achieve government priorities.

• Service delivery standards, including services to the public in both official languages, are established, measured and maintained to ensure continuous improvement.

• All reporting and approved requirements and guidelines set by central agencies and Parliament have been adhered to.

• Capital assets are managed and acquired in an efficient and cost effective manner.

• Plans and priorities demonstrate policy and program innovation.

• Demonstrates establishment of effective relationships with other federal departments and agencies, the provinces and globally with other countries to contribute to achievement of departmental plans and priorities.

• Management systems are in place to ensure that results are achieved.

Measurement Tools

• Assessment and feedback from central agencies and other senior government officials.

• Surveys and feedback from citizens groups and key stakeholders.

• Reports (Auditor General, Commissioner of Official Languages, Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development...)

• Ongoing reporting and performance measurement statistics and information.

• Annual and longer-term corporate-wide priorities are effectively communicated, implemented and exemplified within the department e.g., horizontal collaboration, innovation, creativity.

• Demonstrates a commitment to managing people with respect according to sound public service values and ethics which are communicated, exemplified and nourished in leadership actions and decisions.

• The department meets its commitments in government-wide initiatives e.g., modern comptrollership, Human Resources Modernization, Government On-Line, Embracing Change, Sustainable Development.

• Sound accountability, organization, administration and performance measurement frameworks are in place within the department to meet the plans and strategies of the government.

• Human resources management plans and strategies are developed and implemented to ensure a sustainable workforce and current and future resource capacity of the organization.

• Demonstrates a commitment to effective development, mentoring and teaching, and performance management of executive leadership within the department.

• Demonstrates commitment to employment equity and to creating a work environment that embraces diversity.

• Demonstrates commitment to creating a work environment conducive to the use of both official languages.

• Financial resources are managed in a prudent and cost effective manner, and fiscal commitments are met.

• The department has a sound risk management framework, risks have been thoroughly assessed and actions have been taken to mitigate these risks.

• Use of management information systems and technology is maximized to continuously improve efficiency and effectiveness.

• Program integrity is demonstrated through internal and external reviews and audits and action plans are in place to address improvements.

• Regular assessments of the organization’s health are conducted and actions are taken to address improvement.

• Communication strategies and plans are developed and implemented to continuously improve communications within the department, with clients and partners and across the government.

• Efficient and responsive administrative systems and processes are in place which reflect sound comptrollership principles.

• Internal and external audit results.

• Organization health surveys and other measurement mechanisms (e.g., Public Service Employee Survey, exit interviews, complaints, upward feedback).

• Assessment and feedback from central agencies and other senior government officials.

• Ongoing reporting and performance measurement statistics and information.

• Identifies emerging issues which require coherence across departments and with other jurisdictions and initiates discussion on matters requiring consultation.

• Represents the interests of the department on various committees and sub-committees of the government and with other jurisdictions and stakeholders.

• Demonstrates cooperation and assistance to other government departments and levels of government in achieving national goals and government-wide priorities.

• Champions corporate-wide initiatives and demonstrates active involvement in corporate initiatives, e.g., committees of Deputy Ministers.

• Demonstrates productive partnerships with other departments, jurisdictions and external organizations.

• Participates in pilots of corporate initiatives and meets the department’s commitments to such.

• As a senior leader of the government, effectively represents the government in all actions and communications.

• Demonstrates effective federal-provincial relations on matters of mutual interest.

• Assessment and feedback by central agencies and senior government officials and other external organizations.

• Demonstration of involvement in corporate-wide initiatives.