Jocelyne Bourgon
Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet
For the year ending March 31, 1995
August 16, 1995
Dear Prime Minister:
I am pleased to submit to you the Third Annual Report on the Public Service of Canada. This report is prepared pursuant to the Public Service Employment Act and covers the period from March 28, 1994, to March 31, 1995.
This year, the Annual Report has three main components: an overview of international trends affecting the role of the public sector; a report on the past year; and some general observations on the future.
The objective of Chapter I is not to present a new perspective on changes in the public sector, but to remind us that a number of major trends, taking place at the international level, are simultaneously affecting the public sectors of all the developed countries. These factors are also making their influence felt, in addition to those specific to Canada which are more familiar to us.
Chapter II contains the Clerk's traditional report to Parliament and presents an overview of the achievements and reforms of the year. One function of this chapter is to help us bear in mind the scale of the changes under way and the extent of the achievements of departments and agencies.
The third and final chapter is entitled "Preparing for the Future." It is intended as a modest contribution to the emerging debate on the future of the Public Service of Canada.
The Public Service of Canada is a national institution of great importance. It contributes to the orderly functioning of our democratic society; it is the custodian of the values and ideals that successive Parliaments have wrought for Canadian society as a whole; it contributes to the prosperity, well-being and quality of life of all Canadians.
Mr. Prime Minister, the challenge for the men and women working in the Public Service today is to modernize their institution to ensure that it is well adapted to the future needs of Canadians. Under your guidance, our goal is to hand on to those who will come after us a vigorous, modern institution well adapted to the needs of Canadians and operating within our collective means an institution we will all be proud of.
Jocelyne Bourgon
Contents
I The Changing Role of Government
Introduction
The Determinants of Change
Globalization
New Information Technologies
Fiscal Pressures
The Changing Fabric of Society
Changes in Government and the Public Sector
The Canadian Experience
From the Past to the Present
From the Present to the Future
II 1994-95: The Year in Review
Introduction
Reform of the Decision-Making Process
Strategic Planning Cycle
Expenditure Management System
The Government's Policy Agenda and the Public Service
Program Review
Efficiency of the Federation Initiative
Agency Review
Departmental Restructuring
Impact of Major Trends on the Public Service
Choosing Organizational Models
Distinguishing Between General and Specialized Programs
Basing Federal Leadership on Information and Knowledge
Organizing Programs and Services from the Client's Perspective
Using Information Technologies to Improve Program Delivery
Impact of Major Trends on Public Servants
Managing Downsizing
Addressing Public Service Demographics
Restoring Pride and Respect
Modernizing the Employment Contract
Conclusion
III Preparing for the Future
Introduction
Preparing for the Future
Modernizing Service Delivery
Strengthening the Public Service's Policy Capacity
Achieving Renewal and Rejuvenation
Conclusion
Canadian Cataloguing in Publication Data