August 4, 2006
Ottawa – The Honourable John Baird, President of the
Treasury Board of Canada, announced today that the independent Blue Ribbon Panel
has begun online consultations with Canadians that will continue until September
15, 2006. The Panel was created by Canada's new government in June to
identify measures required to enhance the efficiency and accountability of the
grants and contributions programs.
"In our continued efforts to restore the public's confidence in
government, we need to examine thoroughly administrative practices and barriers
to our grants and contributions programs," said Minister Baird. "This
exercise would not be complete without the participation of Canadians. We want
to hear from grant applicants, government officials who administer any one of
these programs, and individuals who are interested in helping make government
work better."
Under the Federal Accountability Act and Action
Plan, the independent
Panel was mandated to provide advice on how to strengthen accountability for the
funds spent on the grants and contributions programs. The Panel also
examined ways of reducing administrative barriers to access and the management
of these funds.
In order to help carry out its mandate, the Panel will collect comments from
Canadians who would like to contribute their views until September 15, 2006.
A consultation tool is available to the public on the Panel's Web site at www.brp-gde.ca
for the duration of this process.
"These public consultations demonstrate once again the Government of
Canada's commitment to responding to Canadians' concerns and needs," added
Minister Baird. "I encourage all individuals and organizations to
participate in these consultations to help foster a more effective delivery
mechanisms for grants and contributions programs to meet Canadians' needs."
Some 50 federal departments and agencies manage approximately $26 billion
each year in grants and contributions to individuals, corporations and
non-government organizations that deliver important programs and services to
Canadians—from health program delivery and research, to funding for arts and
heritage projects, to employment and skills development programs.
The Panel's recommendations will be submitted to the Government in December
2006. They will be considered in developing the new Treasury Board
Policy on Transfer Payments.
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For more information, contact:
Patrick Robert
Press Secretary
Office of the President of the Treasury Board
(613) 957-2666
Robert Makichuk
Media Relations
Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat
(613) 957-2391
If there is a discrepancy between any printed version and the
electronic version of this news release, the electronic version will prevail.
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