Letter from the Clerk to the Prime Minister

March 20, 2009

Dear Prime Minister:

In my role as Head of the Public Service of Canada, I have the honour to submit to you the Sixteenth 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 Fifteenth Annual Report, is renewal of the federal public service. The report describes progress achieved over the last year on the renewal agenda and sets out the areas we will concentrate on over the coming year.

The third report of the Advisory Committee on the Public Service, which was released in February 2009, is included as an annex to this report. As you know, the Committee has been active in identifying priorities on public service renewal and in providing timely and helpful recommendations.

The public service operates in a very complex environment, made more challenging by the global recession we are now experiencing. At the same time, we are continuing to adjust to the demographic pressures facing the public service, and the necessity to develop the next generation of public servants. Meeting these challenges is the essence of a dynamic public service with a clear focus on renewal.

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

Sincerely yours,

Kevin G. Lynch