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Audit and Evaluation
Audit of Financial Management of Grants & Contributions
The audit of the financial management of grants & contributions addressed financial management aspects by focusing on 20 key areas. Key issues identified pertain to the thematic areas: systems to manage agreements, financial/risk assessment of proposals, signing authorities, advance payments and holdbacks, payables at year end, agreement termination date and risk reassessments.
A management action plan has been developed and progress has been made to address and implement recommendations.
- Audit of Financial Management of Grants & Contributions
- July 2006 HTML | PDF - Summary
- July 2006 HTML | PDF - Recommendations and Action Plan
- July 2006 HTML | PDF
Audit of Management of Physical Records
The audit of the management of physical records addressed management aspects
by focusing on 6 key areas. Key issues identified pertain to the thematic areas:
departmental context, departmental capabilities, linkage to information management,
compliance and quality, records and information life cycle and user perspectives.
A management action plan has been developed and progress has been made to address and implement recommendations.
- Audit of Management of Physical Records
- July 2006 HTML | PDF - Summary Report
- July 2006 HTML | PDF - Recommendations and Action Plan
- July 2006 HTML | PDF
- Management Action Plan
- July 2006 HTML | PDF
Audit of Transfer Payments
The objective of this audit was to conduct an assessment of policies, practices and internal management controls applied to transfer payments (grants, contributions and other transfer payments). Weaknesses and best practices were identified and relevant recommendations presented. The audit assessed the adequacy of the management framework for the transfer payment function and processes within WD.
- Audit Report - July 2006 (HTML | PDF | Appendices)
- Management Action Plan - July 2006 (HTML | PDF)
Evaluation of the Service Delivery Network Program
The evaluation of the WD Service Delivery Network program (SDNP) assesses the rationale, design and effectiveness of the program. The SDNP uses service delivery agreements with community-based organizations provide business services, capital loan funds, community research studies and other business development projects to increase access to business services in Western Canada. The report presents the findings and recommendations from the review, and outlines the WD's planned actions to implement the recommendations.
Evaluation of the Aboriginal Business Services Network
This evaluation assesses the Aboriginal Business Services Network (ABSN) initiative and the degree of success achieved in reaching its goals and objectives. Areas for improvement were identified and recommendations made with respect to future initiative directions.
The ABSN is an important initiative offered through Canada Business Services Centres in Western Canada and funded by Western Economic Diversification as a component of the Aboriginal Business Development Initiative.
Program Evaluation Study: Entrepreneurs With Disabilities Program (EDP)
and Urban Entrepreneurs With Disabilities Initiative Fund (UEDI)
The purpose of this evaluation was to provide an objective assessment of EDP and UEDI for the purpose of supporting senior management decision-making for continued funding of the programs. In addition, the evaluation report recommends areas where changes can be made to better meet the needs of entrepreneurs with disabilities as well as the strategic objectives of the Department.
Evaluation of the Women’s Enterprise Initiative
The overall objective of this evaluation was to assess the relevance, service delivery, results and performance monitoring of the Women’s Enterprise Initiative (WEI) organizations.
Each WD Region (Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia) has established a WEI organization. The provincial non-profit Women’s Enterprise Initiative organizations are responsible for the administration and delivery of WEI services. The mandate of the WEI organizations is to encourage the establishment and growth of women-owned and controlled businesses, encourage self-employment and business development, and to promote economic equality between men and women. Support from WD enables the four provincial organizations to provide enhanced business services to women entrepreneurs including business advisory services, lending, information services and referrals, training and skills development, networking, and mentoring.
Canada-Saskatchewan Northern Development Agreement: Results-Based Management and Accountability Framework
This report highlights the Results-Based Management and Accountability Framework in place for the Canada-Saskatchewan Northern Development Agreement (NDA).
In 2002, the Government of Canada and the Government of Saskatchewan established a framework agreement designed to promote and support sustainable economic development in Northern Saskatchewan. The agreement known as the Canada-Saskatchewan Northern Development Agreement (NDA) is being administered through a tripartite effort between Western Economic Diversification (WD), the Minister of Saskatchewan Northern Affairs (SNA) and the Northern Development Board Corporation (NDBC)..
Evaluation of the Francophone Economic Development Organizations Program
The overall objective of this evaluation was to assess the relevance, design, effectiveness of performance monitoring, and results of the Francophone Economic Development Organizations (FEDOs). The report provides an assessment of the degree to which the process is meeting its objective and identifies opportunities to improve the effectiveness of the process.
FEDOs are independent entities that offer a full range of business development services to the Francophone community throughout each province. Support from WD enables the four provincial FEDOs to provide enhanced services to Francophones including training, access to capital, information services, marketing advice, networking and mentoring.
Evaluation Study of the Community Economic Development Opportunity (CEDO)
and Community Economic Development Internship Program (CEDIP)
The overall purpose of the evaluation was to assess the relevance, design, success and monitoring of both programs the Community Economic Development Internship Program (CEDIP) and the Community Economic Development Opportunity (CEDO) program.
CEDIP’s mandate is to hire recent post-secondary graduates to assist with economic development and diversification in their communities. CEDO is a funding vehicle for services and economic development projects conducted by CFDCs, WEIs and FEDOs.
Evaluation of the Western Canada Business Service Network
The objective of the evaluation was to assess the relevance, governance and delivery, monitoring, results and impacts of the WCBSN. The report provides an assessment of the degree to which the process is meeting its objective and identifes opportunities to improve the effectiveness of the process.
Evaluation of the ITPP and FJST
The purpose of the study is to evaluate the International Trade Personnel Program (ITPP) and First Jobs in Science and Technology Program (FJST) programs, providing an assessment of changes to the programs’ duration from three years to one year, and recommendations on future program directions.
ITPP addresses two important concerns in the Canadian economy: enhancing competitiveness in the global marketplace and facilitating youth employment. FJST is intended to help SMEs become more competitive in the national and international economy, and to offer employment to recent graduates.
Evaluation of WD's Official Languages Action Plan 2000/2004
WD shares the responsibility for meeting the requirements of the Official Languages Act (OLA). WD's contribution to the implementation of the Official Languages Act is guided by a four-year Action Plan, which targets Part VII of the Act, particularly Section 41. The objectives of Section 41 are to enhance the vitality of the English and French linguistic minority communities in Canada; support and assist their development; and foster the full recognition and use of both English and French in Canadian society. The objective of the evaluation is to assess the relevance, success and effectiveness, including strengths and weaknesses, of the implementation and outcomes of WD's Official Languages Action Plan.
Contribution Audit Policies and Processes for Western Diversification Program ( WDP) and Innovation and Community Investment Program ( ICIP)
WD's Audit and Evaluation Branch undertook this project to help management develop new contribution audit policies and processes for the Western Diversification Program (WDP) and the Innovation and Community Investment Program (ICIP). The project considered contribution audit policies for both programs and any mandatory processes necessary to implement the policies. The policies pertain to contribution audits and do not cover program audits or audits such as those that would be performed by WD's Audit and Evaluation Department.
In the Spirit of the Vancouver Agreement – A Governance Case Study
The Vancouver Agreement (VA) Management Committee leads initiated this evaluation process to develop an evaluation framework that would describe the VA in terms of its original intentions, actual operations and people's perceptions of it, and to make recommendations for a governance framework, including the basis for accountability and evaluation. The unusual nature of the VA as a collaborative partnership makes it a difficult initiative to describe especially in terms of special benefits and particular results that derive from different governments with different jurisdictions and mandates that also have common clients and interests. The challenge in the study was to go beyond traditional models and approaches in order to assess and evaluate governance issues.
Audit of WD Contracting Standards
The objective of this audit was to conduct an assessment of contracting practices in place at WD and their compliance with established Government policies and regulations. Weaknesses and best practices were identified and relevant recommendations presented. The audit assessed the adequacy of the management framework for the procurement function and processes in WD.
Risk-Based Review of WD's Project Monitoring & Payment Function
WD's Audit and Evaluation Branch conducted a risk-based review of the department's Projects Monitoring and Payment (M&P) function. This report presents the findings and recommendations from the review, and outlines the WD's planned actions to implement the recommendations.
- Risk-Based Review Report - November 2003 (HTML | PDF)
- Management Action Plan - July 2004 (HTML | PDF)
- Review Process Action Plan - July 2004 (HTML | PDF)
Report on the Review of WD's Quality Assurance Review Process
WD's Audit and Evaluation Branch conducted a review of WD's Quality Assurance Review (QAR) process. The QAR process is intended to address specific requirements in Treasury Board's Transfer Payment Policy. The report provides an assessment of the degree to which the process is meeting its objective and identifes opportunities to improve the effectiveness of the process.
Evaluation of WD's Sustainable Development Strategy 2000-2004
The evaluation of WD's Sustainable Development Strategy 2000-2004 is an independent examination and assessment of the relevance, success and effectiveness of WD's SDS 2000 from development through to implementation. The evaluation focused on the time period from late 2000 (when WD's SDS 2000 was implemented) to July 2003 when preparation for SDS 2003 began. Considerations for the development of SDS 2003 are provided.
Audit of the Community Futures Program
The audit of the Community Futures Program evaluates WD's management control and monitoring systems in each of the four western provinces. The focus of the audit was the relationship between WD and the CFDCs, and not the control systems of the CFDCs themselves. The report includes conclusions, recommendations and an assessment of the implementation of initiatives resulting from the 2001 report of the Office of the Auditor General.
Evaluation of the Community Futures Program
This evaluation of the Community Futures Program provides an independent examination and assessment of strategic directions and priorities, management and results of the Community Futures Program in each of the four western provinces as well as provides recommendations for future program delivery.
WD Canada-British Columbia (BC) Infrastructure Program Internal Audit Report
Consulting and Audit Canada (CAC) was contracted by the BC region to conduct this assessment of the internal controls within the management framework for each of the stages in the management of the WD Canada-British Columbia (BC) Infrastructure Program project cycle. Observations and recommendations are based on WD internal reviews conducted in February and March 2003.
Evaluation of the Western Diversification Program (WDP)
The evaluation of WD’s Western Diversification Program is an independent examination and assessment of the relevance, success and cost-effectiveness of the WDP and provides recommendations for future delivery of the program.
Evaluation of the Loan Investment Fund Program (LIFP)
The evaluation of WD’s Loan Investment Fund Program is an independent examination and assessment of the relevance, success and cost-effectiveness of the LIFP and provides recommendations for future delivery of the program.
Evaluation of Canada Business Service Centres (CBSC) in Western Canada
The evaluation of Canada Business Service Centres (CBSC) provides an independent examination and assessment of the relevance, success and cost-effectiveness of the Canada Business Services Centres in each of the four western provinces as well as recommendations for future program delivery.
- Evaluation Report - July 2002 (HTML | PDF)
- Evaluation Report Summary - July 2002 (HTML | PDF)
- Management Action Plan - February 2004 (HTML | PDF)
Western Economic Partnership Agreements : Final Program Evaluation
Western Economic Partnership Agreements (WEPAs) promote economic growth and employment opportunities in Western Canada. Cost shared on a fifty-fifty basis, these federal-provincial agreements focus on areas of strategic mutual interest and have resulted in a $160 million investment in the West over five years. These agreements, which expired in 2002, provided a broad framework of operation while building on national and provincial economic development priorities and polices.. The Final Program Evaluation identifies how the agreements met their goals and targets, and provides recommendations for future WEPAs.
Evaluation of Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) &
Pacific Fisheries Adjustment
Working in partnership with BC’s coastal Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs) and the Fisheries Legacy Trust (FLT), Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) has been actively involved in fisheries adjustment programs that encourage business development and diversification since 1997. The evaluation of WD’s Pacific Fisheries Adjustment assesses program effectiveness in the delivery of four broad classes of fisheries adjustment initiatives, summarizing the results in terms of program success, design and delivery and providing recommendations for future program direction.
Quality Assurance Review Step II: The Best Practices Report
The Quality Assurance Review Step II provides best practices in grant and contribution management. Best practices are presented in reference to four major issue areas: due diligence, clear objectives, measurement and reporting of performance against objectives, and management of funds in a responsible manner.