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About Measurement Canada
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Category:
Framework
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About Measurement Canada:
Measurement Canada Framework Document
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Date:
1999-01-18
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5.0 ACCOUNTABILITY AND
REPORTING FRAMEWORK
5.1 Accountability and
Relationships
5.1.1
Ministerial, Deputy Ministerial and Sector Head Accountability
The Minister of Industry Canada is formally
accountable to Parliament for all activities of the Agency. The
Deputy Minister of Industry Canada is accountable to the Minister
of Industry Canada for the effective governance of the Department,
including the Operations Sector and Measurement Canada. The
Assistant Deputy Minister (ADM) of Operations is accountable to the
Deputy Minister of Industry Canada for the overall performance of
the Operations Sector, which includes Measurement Canada.
The Deputy Minister, with the recommendation of the Assistant
Deputy Minister (ADM) of Operations, Industry Canada, is
responsible for approving Measurement Canada’s annual business
plan. The ADM is responsible for approving the President,
Measurement Canada’s Accountability Accord, and for providing
the President with a yearly Performance Appraisal.
5.1.2
Accountability of the President
The senior officer of the Agency is the President
who is accountable, through the chain of departmental command, to
the Minister for meeting its legislative mandate.
The President is responsible for the long term strategic direction
and leadership of Measurement Canada, as well as the day-to-day
management of the Agency. The President is accountable to the ADM
of Operations, Industry Canada, for meeting the strategic and
performance objectives mutually agreed to in the Annual Business
Plan. In addition, the President is responsible for supporting, and
where appropriate, contributing to the achievement of departmental
and Operations Sector priorities and objectives, and for adhering
to departmental and government policies and guidelines (i.e. the Official
Languages Act, Federal
Identity Program).
The President serves as an active member of the Operations Sector
Senior Management Committee and the Departmental Management Board.
In all financial matters, the President is functionally accountable
to the departmental Senior Financial Officer.
5.1.3
Relationship with Industry Canada
Due to the independently accountable nature of the
Agency as an SOA, the Department will afford Measurement Canada the
flexibility needed to meet its mandate in a more business-like,
client-responsive, and efficient manner.
Given that the accountability for the performance of Measurement
Canada rests with the President, he/she must have the ability to
control the key elements of his/her operation on a national basis.
This will require that all Measurement Canada employees, including
regional and district employees of the Agency, continue to report
to the President through the established chain of command.
Measurement Canada will establish suitable links and continue to
explore, and where appropriate, enter into partnerships and other
types of accords with the Regional Executive Directors and other
organizations within Industry Canada to further departmental
priorities and objectives. The Agency will also actively
participate in departmental initiatives, meetings and related
activities.
Measurement Canada will contribute to the achievement of Industry
Canada’s mission through the provision of its statutory
services and the realization of key results commitments and
activities in support of departmental priorities and objectives.
The Department respects the basic tenet that new or additional
demands placed on Measurement Canada by Industry Canada may require
an adjustment to the Business Plan and could require additional
resourcing.
5.1.4
Relationship with Departmental Corporate Services
The Deputy Minister is accountable for the administration
of all sectors and SOAs within Industry Canada, and for all
corporate functions, including comptrollership, human resources,
information management and information technology, and
communications. Heads of corporate services, in turn, are
accountable for providing functional direction and services on
behalf of the Deputy (e.g. the Corporate Comptroller as the
Departmental Senior Financial Officer). Measurement Canada will
support these corporate responsibilities and work with corporate
areas in fulfilling these roles. Corporate Services will assist
Measurement Canada in addressing operational requirements and
achieving greater efficiencies, cost savings and improved client
services.
Measurement Canada and the Department will examine and weigh the
costs and benefits of using Industry Canada corporate services, and
will, when deemed cost effective and appropriate, negotiate
Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) both at headquarters and in the
regions. The MOUs will outline the extent and costs of central
services to be provided in the areas of human resources, finance,
informatics, security, accommodation, communications and legal
advice and services consistent with those currently made available
to any other operating unit in Industry Canada. The Department will
continue to serve as the routine interface with the Treasury Board
Secretariat (TBS) and other central agencies on such issues as the
Departmental Business Plan, Estimates, Questions in the House, etc.
5.1.5
Relationship with Government Common Services Agencies
Measurement Canada will respect all governmental policies
emanating from central agencies, including those pertaining to the
introduction of new products or services. Initially, the working or
service relationships between Measurement Canada (as recipient) and
central service agencies (e.g. Treasury Board Secretariat, Public
Works and Government Services Canada, Public Service Commission,
etc.) will remain unchanged with Industry Canada central services
taking the lead. However, as Memoranda of Understanding are
negotiated with Industry Canada Corporate Services, this
relationship will be re-examined and a mutually effective approach
for both Measurement Canada and the Department will be negotiated
and adopted.
5.1.6
Responsibility to Clients and Other Stakeholders
Measurement Canada will be responsible for providing
its clients and other stakeholders with high quality, timely and
efficient services, consistent with its mandate. Measurement Canada
will consult with its clients, using various mechanisms, to
evaluate and establish service levels. It will offer quality
service consistent with industry, and will deliver it in a
professional, open, fair and impartial manner.
Stakeholders’ needs, expectations and capabilities will form
the foundation for the establishment of new products and services.
STRATEGIS will be used as the principle vehicle for the provision
of information products, where appropriate, and subject to
stakeholders’ capabilities.
5.2 Planning and
Reporting
5.2.1 Performance
Measurement Framework
Measurement Canada’s performance measurement
framework will be used by Agency management and staff to make
informed decisions regarding the focus and delivery of Agency
services and to report on the Agency’s performance. Results-
based performance measures which assess Measurement Canada’s
progress in achieving its mission and vision, assist the Agency in
determining whether it is realizing its goals with respect to the
delivery of responsive, relevant, quality services and evaluate the
value of the organization’s contribution to Industry
Canada’s strategic objectives and priorities will form the
basis of the performance framework.
Measurement Canada will develop and sustain commitment to
performance measurement by integrating the performance framework
into its daily operations and actively engaging all levels of the
organization in the framework’s development and continuous
improvement. Management commitment and leadership and the
development of a culture where all staff understand and support the
value and benefits of performance measurement are a key component
of the successful achievement of Measurement Canada’s mission
and vision and the provision of relevant, high quality client
services.
The Performance Measurement Framework will be reviewed each year
(with a view to continuous improvement) and will be incorporated in
an annual revision of the Business Plan.
5.2.2 Performance
Reporting
Measurement Canada will provide Industry Canada with the
performance information necessary to ensure the timely completion
of the departmental Business Plan, Performance Report and the
Report on Plans and Priorities. Performance information will also
be provided to the ADM, Operations Sector as part of the
Agency’s annual business plan, mid-year review and year-end
report.
The Agency’s progress in achieving its operational priorities
and client service delivery commitments will be available to
management and staff in near real time through its management
information systems. Performance summaries will also be made
available to Measurement Canada’s clients and stakeholders
through its web site on STRATEGIS.
5.2.3 Annual
Business Plan
The Annual Business Plan provides the basic planning
framework for the Agency. It sets out Measurement Canada's main
performance objectives and the means of attaining them (i.e. key
activities, performance targets), with particular emphasis on
achieving its mission and vision, the Agency’s contribution to
departmental priorities and the Operations Sector’s
Achievement Framework, and internal objectives such as improved
client service and satisfaction, and work force renewal.
The rolling three year plan will respect applicable departmental
corporate governance and Operations Sector information
requirements. The Business Plan will reflect any anticipated
requirement for Policy Sector assistance, and include a pro forma
statement of operations which spans the three year planning
horizon.
Measurement Canada will report major mid-year and year-end
variances in planned versus actual results to the ADM, Operations
Sector, and will, as requested, develop an action plan to address
any outstanding issues.
5.2.4 Financial
Reports and Accounts
Measurement Canada will work closely with the
Department to establish the flexibilities and authorities necessary
to meet client needs and achieve Agency, departmental and Sector
objectives and priorities. The Agency will submit a Summary of
Accounts to the ADM of Operations as part of the Sector’s
input to the Industry Canada Business Plan, Estimates and Public
Accounts of Canada, Departmental Performance Report and Report on
Plans and Priorities.
The Agency will also provide input, including budget, expenditure
and variance reporting, to the departmental accounting system
capable of supporting accrual accounting and costing by lines of
business.
Measurement Canada will ensure all financial policies applicable to
the Agency are implemented in an efficient manner.
Finally, in the event new or additional demands are placed on
Measurement Canada for which its clients may not directly benefit,
the President will work closely with the Assistant Deputy Minister,
Operations and the Deputy Minister to develop mutually satisfactory
funding solutions.
5.3 Audit and
Evaluation
Measurement Canada will maintain adequate controls to
ensure that government policies and regulations are strictly adhered
to. It will maintain a financial control and management accounting
system which permits regular reviews of actual costs, expenditures,
operating performance, and cost recovery where applicable. Internal
audits, evaluations and reviews will be conducted periodically.
5.3.1 Audit
The Agency will be subject to audits which assess:
(1) the cost-effectiveness of program delivery activities; (2) the
reliability and integrity of information used for decision-making
and accountability reporting; (3) prudence and probity in the use
of public funds and the safeguarding of assets; and (4) compliance
with statutes and policies.
5.3.2
Evaluation
The Agency’s key policies and programs will be
evaluated and the findings used in decision-making, reporting and
continuous improvement. Evaluations will include an assessment of:
(1) the relevance of the Agency’s programs and services; (2)
objectives achievement; (3) the results, impact and effects of the
objectives achievement; and (4) the cost-effectiveness of program
and service design and delivery.
The President of Measurement Canada will ensure that information
necessary to perform such evaluations is collected and made
available. The President may also initiate periodic
reviews/assessments at his/her discretion.
6.0 AUTHORITIES AND
FLEXIBILITIES
To operate in a business-like fashion within a strict
accountability framework, Measurement Canada is seeking the delegation
of a number of authorities and flexibilities in the areas of revenue
control, finance and accounting, human resources, informatics and
administration.
Authorities and flexibilities will be negotiated through an MOU with
the Department. While these authorities and flexibilities can be
changed as needed, they will be reviewed every three years to coincide
with the formal review of the Framework Document. To date, these
flexibilities have included:
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financial, contracting and human resources authorities equivalent
to an ADM;
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grievance Levels 1, 2 and 3 (non-NJC);
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performance pay - other than for EX’s;
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leave without pay to hold union office;
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conflict of interest determination;
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approval of requests for translation over 1,200 pages;
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staffing on an indeterminate basis from outside the Department;
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management of own awards program;
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pay in lieu of unfulfilled surplus period;
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informatics standards and policies to meet Measurement
Canada’s requirements;
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emergency purchase orders; and
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adapt or develop financial and administrative policies in
accordance with central agency policies, directives and guidelines.
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Measurement Canada
