Government of Canada, Privy Council Office Canada
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Performance Management Program
Deputy Minister - Ongoing Commitments

1. Provide the highest quality support, issues management and policy advice to the Minister, Prime Minister and Cabinet

  • 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.

Measurement Tools

  • 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.

2. Demonstrate effective and timely development and implementation of the department’s strategies, plans and priorities consistent with the government’s agenda and priorities

Performance Measures

  • 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.

3. Demonstrate excellence in leadership and management of the department’s programs and human resources

Performance Measures

  • 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.

Measurements Tools

  • 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.

4. Demonstrate excellence in corporate-wide leadership, contribution and collaboration

Performance Measures

  • 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.

Measurement Tools

  • Assessment and feedback by central agencies and senior government officials and other external organizations.
  • Demonstration of involvement in corporate-wide initiatives.

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Last Modified: 2006-07-28 Top of Page Important Notices