Canada's Performance 2005 is the fifth annual report to
Parliament on the federal government's contribution to Canada's performance as a
nation-highlighting both strengths and areas for improvement.
Canada's federal organizations play an important role in the
quality of life of Canadians. They support the way we govern ourselves as a
federation, administer our laws and justice system, develop and deliver our
national social programs and services, regulate the economy and promote fair
trade, and represent and protect our interests and values in the world.
Canadians rightly expect a lot of their public sector. They expect the
government to pursue policies and programs that take into account and are
responsive to public priorities. They expect the government to operate in an
open, transparent, and accountable manner. They want to know that government
programs and services are well managed. Above all, they want assurances that
they are receiving good value for their tax dollars.
Canada's Performance 2005 is structured around three main
policy areas:
- sustainable economy, which demonstrates the increased
importance given to the links between the Canadian economy and the natural
environment;
- Canada's social foundations, which reflects the important
role health care plays in Canadian society; and
- Canada's place in the world, which recognizes the
international dimension of government activity needed to advance national
aspirations.
This year's report also features a special overview of the
government's efforts to support improvement in the well-being of Aboriginal
peoples.
Chapters on the three policy areas provide a broad overview of the federal
government's initiatives, commitments, and achievements related to the long-term
benefits to Canadians-referred to as Government of Canada outcomes-that the
federal government is working to achieve.
Under the three policy areas, the Government of Canada outcomes
are as follows:
Sustainable economy
- sustainable economic growth;
- an innovative and knowledge-based economy;
- income security and employment for Canadians;
- a fair and secure marketplace; and
- a clean and healthy environment.
Canada's social foundations
- healthy Canadians with access to quality health care;
- an inclusive society that promotes linguistic duality and diversity;
- a vibrant Canadian culture and heritage; and
- safe and secure communities.
Canada's place in the world
- a strong and mutually beneficial North American partnership;
- a prosperous global economy that benefits Canadians and the world;
- a safe and secure world; and
- global poverty reduction through sustainable development.
Each chapter starts with an introduction, which discusses
the policy area of the chapter, a brief description of the Government of
Canada's role in that policy area, and a list of the outcomes that will
be addressed.
Each outcome starts with a performance context, which provides an
assessment of quality of life in Canada and is based on a broadly accepted set
of societal indicators. This section provides context for the federal
government's programs, expenditures, and performance in each outcome. A legend
of the symbols used can be found below.
Legend |
▲ |
Improving performance |
▬ |
No definitive trend noted at this time (This is due to
either a lack of trend data, relatively stable performance and trends, or
multiple measures with opposing trends.) |
▼ |
Declining performance |
† |
New indicator |
The performance highlights section in Appendix A
summarizes the societal indicator information presented in this report.
In order to have an objective assessment of Canada's
performance, the societal indicators are drawn from established data sources-for
example, the Census of Canada, general social surveys conducted by Statistics
Canada, public opinion polls, and reports from the Organisation for Economic
Co-operation and Development (OECD), the World Health Organization (WHO), and
the World Economic Forum. These indicators are reported on annually in order to
show consistent and measurable trend data over a period of five to ten years,
using the most recent trend data available.
A number of indicators have not been updated for 2005 because
they are either based on one-time surveys or surveys that are not repeated
annually or because data were not available in time for inclusion in this
report. While not every indicator is updated annually due to different reporting
cycles, the most recent trend data available are always included.
In examining the outcomes, Canada's Performance 2005
looks at the Government of Canada's contribution, recognizing that many
players-individuals, businesses, other governments, and non-profit groups-also
have an important contribution to make.
Each outcome ends with a list of departments, agencies, and
Crown corporations that are working toward its improvement.
Figure 1.1 illustrates the framework used by Canada's
Performance to report on a whole-of-government perspective.
The illustration goes from very broad (left-hand side) to more specific
(right-hand side). For example, the broad policy area "Sustainable
Economy" is made up of five Government of Canada outcomes; 37 federal
organizations contribute to the achievement of "sustainable economic
growth" through 46 strategic outcomes or mandates. The Canada Small
Business Financing Program is an example of a program that contributes to the
achievement of Industry Canada's strategic outcome: "a competitive industry
and sustainable communities."
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Aboriginal Peoples Chapter
This is the second time that Canada's Performance includes a
specific chapter on Aboriginal people. This chapter is the next step following
the Canada-Aboriginal Peoples Roundtable, which began in April 2004, in which
the federal government committed to improving accountability for results.
This step begins by taking stock of the programs the Government
of Canada provides to First Nations and Métis people and the Inuit and by
disclosing in detail all federal spending in 2004-05 committed to Aboriginal peoples in Canada.
The Aboriginal Peoples Chapter therefore has a unique look and
feel in comparison to other chapters in the report. It contains figures on
federal spending rolled up for all programs within seven thematic
headings-health, governance and relationships, lifelong learning, safe and
sustainable communities, housing, economic opportunities, and lands and
resources-developed as a response to the Canada-Aboriginal Peoples Roundtable.
The electronic version of the report links to the Aboriginal
Horizontal Framework, which includes all of the programs offered by federal
departments and agencies as well as their objectives and costs. Where possible,
the Framework also specifies which programs are offered to First Nations, Inuit,
and Métis communities.
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Electronic version of the report
The electronic version of this report links to department and
agency planning and performance reports as well as to the Annual Report to
Parliament on Crown Corporations and Other Corporate Interests of Canada.
The electronic version also links to important databases on
government audits and evaluations, horizontal initiatives, and detailed program
and expenditure information for the federal program suite for Aboriginal
peoples. Hyperlinks provide additional information on various publications,
policies, and Web sites relevant to each policy area.
In addition, substantial improvements were made to the
supplementary on-line annexes. The electronic version of Canada's Performance
2005 now includes links to three annexes: a glossary and two annexes on
additional indicator information.
Readers are encouraged to consult the electronic version of the
report
(http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/report/govrev/05/cp-rc_e.asp)
to access the on-line annexes and the relevant hyperlinks throughout the report.
In the print version of the report, each hyperlink is illustrated by the
mouse symbol.
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