CANADA

Fourth Annual Report to The Prime Minister on The Public Service of Canada

Jocelyne Bourgon
Clerk of the Privy Council and
Secretary to the Cabinet

Table of Contents

February 3, 1997

Dear Prime Minister, 

I am pleased to submit to you the Fourth Annual Report on Public Service of Canada. This report is prepared pursuant to the Public Service Employment Act.

This year, the Annual Report begins with a report on the progress that has been made in realigning the roles and responsibilities of the Government of Canada. It discusses the profound change that this realignment of roles is having on Canadian society as governments forge new relationships among themselves, lay the basis for new partnerships with other sectors of society and change their relationship with citizens.

In light of the changing role of government, last year's report identified three key tasks for the Public Service of Canada: modernizing service delivery, strengthening policy capacity and building a vibrant national institution adapted to future needs. This year's report discusses the progress that has been made on these tasks and signals further work that is necessary to ensure that progress continues.

The Public Service of Canada makes a significant contribution to the performance of the country and the well-being of Canadians. Canadians and their elected representatives have always been able to rely on a public service that is one of the best in the world. One of the key tasks for all public servants over the next year will be to ensure that this will continue to be the case.

Mr. Prime Minister, under your guidance and with your support, the men and women now serving in the Public Service are willing and able to meet the challenges they face. They are committed to pass on to those who will follow a vibrant institution adapted to future needs and staffed by highly qualified and committed professionals equally ready and able to face the challenges of their time.

Jocelyne Bourgon

Contents

I -- Introduction

II -- The Role of Government

Regaining fiscal sovereignty

Program Review
Forging a new relationship among governments
Laying the basis for new partnerships
Changing the relationship between government and citizen

Summary

III -- The Public Sector of the Government of Canada

Diversity of the public sector

Core functions of the public sector

IV -- Modernizing Service Delivery

Making progress

Commitment to quality service

Moving forward

V -- Strengthening Policy Capacity

Challenges to improved policy development

Making progress

Moving forward

VI -- La Relève

Introduction

The situation today

La Relève: Our greatest challenge

Departmental planning

Corporate support
Accelerated executive development
Prequalification of potential assistant deputy ministers
Appointment to level for assistant deputy ministers
Compensation and retention
Support for professional communities
External recruitment

Conclusion

VII -- Conclusion

Cataloguing in Publication Data