Letter from the Clerk to the Prime Minister

March 17, 2008

Dear Prime Minister:

In my role as Head of the Public Service of Canada, I have the honour to submit to you the Fifteenth Annual Report to the Prime Minister on the Public Service of Canada, in accordance with the provisions of section 127 of the Public Service Employment Act.

The theme of this document, as it was for the Fourteenth Annual Report, is renewal of the federal public service.  It reports on progress achieved over the last year on the renewal agenda, and sets out the areas we will concentrate on over the coming year.

The second report of the Advisory Committee on the Public Service, which was released in February 2008, is included as an annex to this Report.  As you know, the Committee has been active in challenging us and identifying priorities on public service renewal.

The public service operates in an increasingly complex environment marked by demands for faster, smarter responses, and greater accountability.  At the same time, we are adjusting to increased retirements of experienced public servants and recruiting and developing the next generation.  Meeting these challenges is the essence of renewal.

Your support, Prime Minister, for public service renewal to ensure that the Public Service of Canada is a non-partisan, excellent, diverse and dynamic institution is essential and appreciated.  You can be assured of the strong commitment within the public service to renewal so that we can continue serving Canadians with integrity and distinction.

Sincerely yours,