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The CCMD is a departmental corporation established by
legislation which came into force on December 1, 1991. It gave the centre a strong mandate
as the Governments executive development institution, which focuses on enhancing
public sector management capabilities and promoting a strong corporate culture in the
federal public service.
CCMDs enabling legislation articulated seven objectives for the Centre:
- to encourage pride and excellence in the management of the public service and to foster
among public service managers a sense of the purpose, values and traditions of the public
service;
- to help ensure that managers in the public service have the analytical, creative,
advisory, administrative and other managerial skills and knowledge necessary to develop
and implement policy, respond to change, including changes in social, cultural, racial and
linguistic character of Canadian society, and manage government programs, services and
personnel efficiently, effectively and equitably;
- to help managers in the public service develop a successful cooperative relationship
with staff members at all levels through leadership, motivation, effective internal
communications and the encouragement of innovation, high-quality service to the public and
skills development;
- to develop within the public service and to attract to the public service, through the
Centres programs and studies, persons who are of high caliber and who reflect the
diversity of Canadian society, and to support their growth and development as public
sector managers committed to the service of Canada;
- to formulate and provide training, orientation and development programs for managers in
the public sector and particularly for senior managers in the public service;
- to study and conduct research into the theory and practice of public sector management;
and
- to encourage a greater awareness in Canada of issues related to public sector management
and the role and functions of government and to involve a broad range of individuals and
institutions in the Centres pursuit of excellence in public administration.
The Centre is managed by a Board made up of members from the public and private sectors
which is chaired by the Clerk of the Privy Council.
1. Programs for Agencies
Because the agency head community is a relatively small one, programs designed
specifically for agency heads or agency staff have provided on the basis of needs defined
in consultation with agency heads. The Centre will continue to respond in this way. The
following are examples of programs that have been offered:
- Agency Heads Lunch and Update Program
This program is an initiative of the agency heads with support provided by CCMD.
- Agency Heads Orientation Program
A one to two-day course designed to introduce newly appointed heads to the workings of
government. The course focused on the special concepts and knowledge required to manage
agencies effectively, in particular the relationships between the head and the Minister,
the Ministers Deputy and working arrangements with the DMs department, the
agencys governing council or board, central agencies (e.g. PCO, TBS) and the agency
staff.
- Leadership at the Top for Agency Heads
This two-day residential course assessed participants leadership skills against
characteristics of successful leaders and provided a framework for discussing how this
knowledge could be used to help participants increase their effectiveness in their
dealings with their colleagues and staff. It also provided a unique opportunity for
participants to examine actual leadership issues facing agency heads, through group
discussions and exercises.
- Appearing before Parliamentary Committees
A one and a half day course designed to help heads communicate more effectively when
appearing before parliamentary committees. Simulations were a major part of the program.
Custom courses were also provided for heads and their staff prior to actual appearances.
- Training Program for Tribunal Members
A one week program, built around a series of simulations, designed to provide members
of administrative tribunals very practical training in conducting hearings. It is ideal
for new members and an excellent refresher for more seasoned members. The number of
programs provided per year depends on the demands.
2. Core Executive Programs
CCMD provides a range of programs for government executives and future executives. Many
of these programs are open to heads or their staff. In some cases enrollment is controlled
by CCMD and in others, where the programs support a corporate development initiative, it
may be controlled centrally.
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