Treasury and Policy Board was created under the Government Restructuring
Act (2001) which passed into law on June 1, 2001.
Treasury and Policy Board (TPB) is a committee of the Executive Council,
replacing the former Priorities and Planning Secretariat.
The Treasury and Policy Board office provides operational and administrative support
to TPB and Cabinet. Key responsibilities of the office are:
- Central
planning agency of the Government of Nova Scotia responsible for setting
business planning policy and guidelines for government, departments,
agencies, and Crown corporations.
- Setting
policy for accountability reporting by government, departments, agencies,
and Crown corporations to further government's commitment to open
and accountable government.
- Managing
the flow of information and decision items to and from Treasury and
Policy Board, which includes setting TPB's agenda and analyzing proposals.
- Assuming
responsibility for the government's expenditure budget. Overall
responsibility for the provincial budget and the revenue estimates
continues to rest with the Minister of Finance.
This mandate
is part of a continuing effort to ensure that policy and program decisions,
business plans, and fiscal priorities are closely coordinated, are consistent
with each other and support government's priorities. Accountability
reporting seeks to demonstrate performance by requiring annual reporting
to the House of Assembly on results achieved relative to the goals and
priorities set out in annual business plans. Overall, Nova Scotians
can be assured that program and policy proposals fully consider, and
are consistent with, business plans and budget priorities when decisions
are made by TPB and Cabinet.
Other TPB
office responsibilities include:
- overseeing
government's Tangible Capital Asset policy; and
- overseeing
the work of Voluntary Planning, an arm's-length organization that
solicits and collects public and stakeholder input on key public policy
issues.
The TPB office sets government-wide policies, establishes frameworks
to guide policy, and assists and monitors to ensure polices are implemented.
TPB values facilitation, coaching, and encouragement based on shared
accountability in guiding departments, agencies, and independent Crown
corporations in their operations. The TPB office works closely
with the Department of Finance in developing the provincial budget
and has close links with Communications Nova Scotia to ensure effective
internal and external communication of government priorities and decisions.
TPB sets high standards of performance and accountability, encourages
intelligent risk-taking and innovation, and identifies and communicates
best practices.
See Business Plans, Accountability
Reports, Budgeting
Office of the Premier
Executive Council Office
Intergovernmental Affairs (IGA)
Department of Finance
Public Service Commission (PSC)
Communications Nova Scotia (CNS)
