The Role of Departments in the Implementation of the Government

Agenda

Concepts and Realities Presentation to the Financial Management

Institute

Alain P. SéguinChief Financial Officer

June 11, 2015

UNCLASSIFIED

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Contents

1. Background & Context of ESDC

2. How Government Works – How it is supposed to work

3. How Government Works – How it really works

4. Observations

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ESDC Mission

ESDC's mission is to build a stronger and more competitive Canada, to support Canadians in making choices that help them live productive and rewarding lives, and to improve Canadians' quality of life.

To do this, we: develop policies that make Canada a society in which all can use their talents,

skills and resources to participate in learning, work and their community; create programs and support initiatives that help Canadians move through life's

transitions—from families with children to seniors, from school to work, from one job to another, from unemployment to employment, from the workforce to retirement;

create better outcomes for Canadians through service excellence with Service Canada and other partners; and

engage our employees, establish a healthy work environment, nurture a culture of teamwork, and build our leadership capacity.

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ESDC Points of Service across Canada

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ESDC Spending Profile: Fiscal Year 2015-2016

Total Budget $116.8 B

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ESDC Organizational Chart

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How Government is Supposed to Work

The Idea Stakeholders Party Platform Responding to events Dealing with longstanding issues

The Memoranda to Cabinet (MC) Developing the MC

Working closely with Program – FMA CFO Attestation

MC at Cabinet Response is important In queue for Budget – will need letter

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How Government is Supposed to Work

Budget Announces program and funding

Treasury Board Submission Draft TB Sub and defend program and costing

assumptions Obtain approval of TB

Estimates In-year funding included in Supplementary Estimates Future-year funding included in ARLU

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How Government Really Works

The Idea Stakeholders Party Platform Responding to events Dealing with longstanding issues

The Memoranda to Cabinet (MC) Developing the MC

Working closely with Program – FMA CFO Attestation

MC at Cabinet Response is important In queue for Budget – will still need letter

Media, local / national events, can create a sense of urgency, other influences

Multiple versions and MCs for one overall decision

Credibility of Financials Workload, logistics and

coordination

Responses not always clear Not in queue for Budget – will

need marker in letter

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How Government Really Works

Budget Announces program and funding

TB Submission Draft TB Sub and defend program and

costing assumptions Obtain approval of TB

* Announcement

TB Submission – Continued

Only half of the total program change announced and funded

Begin drafting TB Sub – combining multiple MCs and multiple departments into one TB Sub

Major announcement on entire new program

Drafting over 6 months Extensive challenge on costing

and assumptions Finally completed, signed and

scheduled

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How Government Really Works

* Full-stop Intervention

TB Submission – Continued

Estimates In-year funding included in

Supplementary Estimates Future-year funding included in ARLU

Re-challenge numbers

Approved for in-year funding only

Return to Central Agencies to re-confirm program and funding

In-year funding included in Supplementary Estimates

No future year funding included in ARLU

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Observations – Critical Elements For Success

Existing, strong FMA network Intel Credibility Due diligence

Clear Roles and Responsibilities Relentless attention Big Picture view

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Thank you!

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