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Title of Presentationin Verdana Bold
Canada’s Federal Government:how it works
Douglas Nevison, Assistant Secretary
Liaison Secretariat for Macroeconomic Policy
Privy Council Office
June 11, 2015
22
1. Scope of Federal Government
3
Our system of government
Source: Forsey, 1980
4
• The federal government is responsible for:
• Defence, foreign relations;
• Sea coast, navigation, shipping;
• Regulation of trade and commerce;
• Aboriginal affairs; Employment Insurance;
• Currency, coinage, and interest rates.
• There is shared jurisdiction over immigration and agriculture.
Legal foundation of federal jurisdiction
• Provincial governments have jurisdiction over:
• Education, health, municipalities;
• Property and civil rights, marriage and divorce;
• Non-renewable natural resources, forestry, and electrical energy.
5
Government 101: what we do
Source: TBS
66
• Forces of change:
• Increasingly networked and interconnected world;
• Constant drive to maximize results with the resources used;
• Technological advances;
• Non-stop media cycle;
• Citizens’ rising expectations for better and faster services tailored to their needs.
Operating context
77
2. Government in Numbers
88
• Key Financials (at end 2013-14):
• $272 BN revenues.
• $277 BN expenditures.
• Balanced budget projected for 2015-16.
• 16 consecutive unqualified or “clean” audits.
• $1,001 BN total liabilities (unmatured debt, pensions, benefits).
• $389 BN total assets (financial assets, capital assets).
• $612 BN federal debt (accumulated deficit).
Finances and people
• Federal Public Service employment (depts +agencies):
• 257,138 in 2014, or 0.73% of 35.4M population;
• vs. 250,822 in 1983, or 0.99% of 25.3M population.
Sources: Public Accounts of Canada 2014; Annual Report to PM on Public Service 2015.
99
How your money is spent
$277 billion in 2013-14
Source: Department of Finance.
1010
Where the money comes from
$272 billion in 2013-14
Source: Department of Finance.
1111
Government is smaller today
• Significant reduction in the relative size of government:
• Federal spending has averaged 14% of GDP since 2008-09.
• Government revenues as a proportion of GDP are lowest in more than 50 years.
Source: Department of Finance, Fiscal Reference Tables, October 2014.
1212
Lowest net debt to GDP ratio in the G-7
Total Government Net Debt to GDP, 2015
Sources: IMF, Fiscal Monitor April 2015.
1313
3. Priorities and Challenges
1414
Priorities: major imperatives
• Current federal government priorities are:
• Economic: creating jobs and economic growth; balancing the budget;
• Social: prosperous families; strong and secure communities;
• International: fostering trade; defending Canada;
• Government Affairs: modernizing government.
• The Clerk’s 2015 report to the Prime Minister on the Public Service has three areas of focus:
• Reinvigorating recruitment efforts;
• Healthy, supportive, respectful work environment;
• Reinforce policy community to provide world-class advice to the Government.
1515
Budget 2015: signature items
• Economic:
• $1.4 BN projected surplus in 2015-16 and balanced budget legislation;
• Tax support for manufacturing investment;
• Supporting major public transit projects;
• Reducing taxes for small businesses.
• Building on previous announcements:
• Tax relief and enhanced benefits for Canadian families;
• Taking action for veterans;
• Renewing federal infrastructure.
• Social/Communities:
• Extending Compassionate Care Benefits;
• Increasing the Tax-Free Savings Account annual contribution limit.
• International:
• Increasing National Defence funding;
• Countering terrorism.
1616
Policy challenges
• Ageing demographics.
• Productivity gap.
• Labour force participation:• e.g, Aboriginals, recent immigrants,
less-skilled workers, young workers, people with disabilities.
• Protecting the environment.
• Counter-terrorism.
1717
4. Addressing Policy Challenges
1818
A continuous process
IDENTIFICATON OF CHALLENGES
COMMUNICATION OF PRIORITIES
POLICY ANALYSIS & DEVELOPMENT
CABINET SCRUTINY AND
APPROVAL
IMPLEMENTATION
MONITORING AND EVALUATION
• Identification of policy challenges:
• Medium-Term Planning exercise;
• Platform commitments.
• Communication of policy priorities:
• Speech from the Throne;
• PM’s mandate letters to Ministers.
• Policy analysis and development in departments
• Including consultations.
1919
A continuous process
IDENTIFICATION OF CHALLENGES
COMMUNICATION OF PRIORITIES
POLICY ANALYSIS & DEVELOPMENT
CABINET SCRUTINY AND
APPROVAL
IMPLEMENTATION
MONITORING AND EVALUATION
• Minister presents case for Cabinet scrutiny and approval:
• Assessment at policy committee, followed by P&P ratification;
• Funding approval through budget process, Treasury Board submission.
• Departments implement new policy or program.
• Monitoring and evaluation of performance:
• Program and policy reviews;
• Departmental Performance Reports.
2020
Federal election year
• Role of the Public Service:
• Remain professional and non-partisan;
• Serve the government of the day to the best of our ability;
• Serve as caretakers of the democratic system in the peaceful transition of mandates following an election;
• Continue to provide services to Canadians during the campaign period.
2121
The big picture
“Public servants deliver programs and services that are essential to the safety, security and well-being of Canadians and to the competitiveness of the economy. We have to keep pace with increasing volumes and complexity, as well as rising service demands, while working with constrained resources towards operational excellence.”
- Janice Charette
Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet
“As our world continues to evolve, our focus continues to be, and must remain, excellence in delivering quality programs and services to Canadians and evidence-based advice to government””