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Speech by
Lucienne Robillard,
President of the Treasury Board, Minister responsible for Infrastructure and
Member of Parliament for Westmount-Ville-Marie
August 28, 2000
Ottawa
Ladies and gentlemen, it is a pleasure to be with you to this afternoon. I am
particularly pleased to serve as this year's Honorary Conference Chair.
As you are aware, this year's conference theme is Making History: Governance in
the 21st Century. Discussions will cover a full spectrum of subjects --
from judicial activism, to Aboriginal governance to digital democracy.
This breadth of discussion is a reflection of the considerable talent and expertise
present at this conference. IPAC has always attracted the very best minds in the public
administration field - the calibre of the speakers and participants is always
impressive.
The breadth of subject matter being discussed is also reflective of how profoundly
public administration is changing. I don't think I am exaggerating when I say that we
are witnessing a revolution in public policy not only in Canada, but around the world.
Good governance demands a commitment to continuous improvement. Government programs and
policies must be in a constant state of evolution in order to meet the public's
changing needs and expectations. When a government allows its institutions to ossify, it
is no longer serving the public good.
But every so often, circumstances converge to make truly radical change not only
possible, but necessary.
The unprecedented economic and social prosperity that emerged in western democracies
after the Second World War, for example, gave rise to a new relationship between citizens
and their governments. The emergence of the modern welfare state was a fundamental
departure from the past. In a relatively short period of time, governments' assumed
broader responsibilities and took on a greater role in citizens' lives.
I believe we are experiencing another convergence of circumstances - one that will
lead to another profound reinvention of government over the next decade or two.
Much of this change is being driven by technological innovation - notably the
Internet. Thanks to new technology, we are seeing long held assumptions being challenged
on almost a daily basis.
We are already witnessing a profound impact in the area of service delivery. Thanks to
the Internet, Canadians are able to access their government faster and more efficiently
- whenever and wherever they want. This, in turn, is bringing people closer to
government - giving them a greater sense of ownership.
Government, at all levels, needs to take advantage of this. We need to be more open,
more aware of public demands and more willing to "let people in". Never before
in the history of our country have we had such a potential to engage citizens directly in
the business of governing -- we must make the most of it. That means keeping an open mind,
listening to what people have to say, and adjusting when necessary.
I am happy to see that the Institute of Public Administration of Canada is leading by
example. At the end of the conference, participants will vote on what they deem to be the
most important priorities facing governments today. This will influence future IPAC
research - and help set an agenda for next year.
Clearly, this is an exciting time to be a scholar of public administration. It is also
an exciting time to be involved in public sector management - at the federal,
provincial and municipal levels.
In many respects, as we enter the new millennium, "everything is on the
table".
Fortunately, despite all the change, there are certain core commitments that guide our
efforts. There are several principles that are at the heart of good government - and
always will be.
First, when people deal with the Government of Canada, they should expect to be treated
fairly and honestly. Citizens have a right to expect the highest ethical and professional
standards from their government and its officials.
Second, citizens should expect to receive programs and services in a fast, reliable,
efficient and cost-effective manner. Government must focus on results and on providing
value for taxpayers' dollars.
Finally, government must be open and transparent. Citizens should not feel remote from
their government. Programs and services should not be hidden away behind a fog of
confusing jargon and bureaucracy.
In many respects, it all comes down to values: the values guiding government must be
the same values that guide Canadians in their day-to-day lives.
This is the kind of government that Canadians deserve. And this is the kind of
government that we are delivering.
We are committed to modernizing our management practices to ensure that the Government
of Canada is citizen-focused, values-driven, results-oriented and committed to responsible
spending.
Our efforts are taking place across a broad front. We are modernizing comptrollership
practices to improve our ability to manage risk and link expenditures with results.
We are getting government on-line: the day is fast approaching when the entire
Government of Canada will be only a mouse click away.
We are revitalizing the Public Service workforce. The Public Service has always been
one of this country's greatest assets - it is the strong foundation upon which
good government rests.
These, and other efforts, are described in Results for Canadians the Government
of Canada's new management framework. I encourage everyone to get a copy - it
gives a clear sense of our management vision for the future.
Effecting these various changes is not going to be easy. And it is not going to happen
overnight.
Success will depend on concerted effort at the political level. It will require the
commitment of a dedicated Public Service.
It will also rely on the support of our numerous partners.
For too long the public, private, academic and voluntary sectors have worked in their
own respective silos - only occasionally pooling talent and ideas when necessity
dictated.
We must look at our relationships through a new lens.
We all have an interest in this country's prosperity and vitality. We all have an
interest in serving the public good. When we work together to promote public health, to
improve infrastructure or to protect the environment, the resulting synergy is always
impressive.
The theme of the pre-conference workshop on Sunday was "Thinking and Working
Horizontally". I can think of no better subject to set the tone for the conference as
a whole. Horizontality between departments and agencies is essential -horizontality
between sectors is as well.
Ladies and Gentlemen, if I can leave you with one message for the day - and for
the conference - it is this: as academics and experts on policy development, we need
your expertise - now perhaps more than ever. As I said earlier, a great deal "is
on the table" - and we are looking for the most innovative and practical
approaches.
Increasingly, we are looking to you to provide guidance, advice and constructive
criticism.
I know that we can count on your support.
Once again, welcome - and I hope everyone has a very enjoyable, thought-provoking
and productive few days.
Thank you.
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