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Canada's Performance 2004

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About Canada's Performance 2004

This is the fourth Canada's Performance report tabled in Parliament by the President of the Treasury Board.

Canada's Performance 2004 tracks how we are doing as a nation in six key areas of federal government involvement - highlighting both strengths and the areas where we can do better. The report provides a whole of government perspective from which to view the plans, results and resources of individual federal departments and agencies as presented in their spring planning and fall performance reports.

How to Get More Information

The electronic version of this report includes many links to additional information on the societal indicators discussed in this report as well as to information on the plans and performance of federal departments and agencies. If you would like further information or would like to make comments or suggestions regarding Canada's Performance 2004, please contact

Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat
Results-Based Management Directorate
300 Laurier Avenue West
9th Floor, West Tower
Ottawa ON K1A 0R5

Telephone: (613) 957-7183
Facsimile: (613) 957-7044
E-mail: rma-mrr@tbs-sct.gc.ca

President's Message

Reg Alcock - President of the Treasury Board and Minister responsible for the Canadian Wheat Board A healthy democracy such as Canada's requires the active engagement of its citizens in understanding the economic and social issues we face as a nation.

Canada's Performance 2004 provides a results-based perspective from which to review federal programs, services and policies that contribute to the quality of life of Canadians.

As one of only a few countries in the world that publish this kind of report, Canada is a world leader in promoting the achievement of results as the foundation of modern government.

We assess our progress in the following areas of federal involvement: the economy; society, culture and democracy; health; and the environment. This year, to broaden the scope of our report, we added two new chapters: "Canada's Place in the World" and "Aboriginal Peoples."

Canada's performance over the past year shows strong progress in areas such a trade and employment. At the same time however, we still have challenges to meet in other areas such as Aboriginal peoples, civic participation and the environment.

We will continue to pursue improvements in the way government initiatives are managed, and to provide the kind of service Canadians want and deserve.

We recognize that we cannot succeed alone. Most of the results mentioned in this report are strongly influenced by other levels of government, the private sector and community groups. Together, we will provide Canadians with prosperity, opportunity and security for the Canada of now, and for the Canada to come.

The paper version was signed by Reg Alcock

President of the Treasury Board and
Minister responsible for the Canadian Wheat Board

Executive Summary

Canadians have a fundamental right to know what is achieved through the use of their tax dollars and to hold their government accountable. Key to that knowledge and the accountability that flows from it is the transparency that comes from reporting on progress in key policy areas. As part of the government's commitment to accountability, Canada's Performance 2004 tracks how we are doing as a nation in six key areas of federal government involvement - highlighting both our strengths and the areas where we can do better. Through the electronic version, the reader has access to information on how the federal government is contributing to Canada's well being in these six areas.

How is Canada performing?

Canada's involvement and participation on the International Stage is mixed. While Canada's aid to developing countries has decreased in the last decade, progress has been made in some indicators of prosperity, such as trade.

Canada's Economy is still considered one of the strongest and healthiest among the G-7 countries. Canada's employment rate surpassed that of the United States for the first time in over two decades. Even so, certain groups of our society, lone-parent families, for example, are more prone to experience economic hardships.

Canadian Society, Culture and Democracy are experiencing a number of challenges. While personal tolerance toward diversity is increasing, other indicators point to a less involved civic society. For example, Canadian political participation is in decline, Canadians are less likely to volunteer and there has been a decrease in participation in some cultural activities.

Aboriginal peoples have not fully shared in Canada's prosperity. While some progress has been made in reducing the disparities facing Aboriginal Peoples, the social and economic conditions of far too many Aboriginal communities are still worse than the Canadian average.

The improvements in the Health of Canadians are encouraging; for instance, Canadians can expect to live longer than ever. However, the news is not all good. The proportion of Canadians who felt their health was excellent or very good declined among both men and women. Also, a greater proportion of Canadians are considered obese.

While levels of several air pollutants have dropped over the last decade, climate change and the status of many species at risk continue to be causes for concern. The Canadian Environment as a whole, however, has seen significant improvements over the last 30 years.

Overall, Canada ranks well compared to other countries. However, that does not mean we should be complacent. The Government of Canada is working to ensure that Canada continues to perform well in those areas where achievements have been made, while addressing those areas where improvements are needed. The federal government recognizes that it cannot succeed alone; rather it must continue to develop partnerships to influence these broad social and economic outcomes. It must continue to work with all levels of government, the private sector, community groups and individual citizens to provide Canadians a better quality of life.

About the Report

The central goal of the Government of Canada is to improve the quality of life of Canadians. All government policies, programs and activities are directed toward this key objective.

Canada's Performance 2004 reports on how this key objective is progressing. There port is intended to be a balanced assessment of various aspects of Canadian well-being, depicting both successes and areas for improvement requiring greater attention from the federal government, other governments and other sectors of society.

The purpose of Canada's Performance 2004 is to provide parliamentarians and Canadians with a whole of government perspective from which to view the plans, results and resources reported by individual federal departments and agencies in their spring planning and fall performance reports.

What's in the report

The report has been divided into the following six themes:

Canada's Place in the World (new this year);
Canada's Economy;
Society, Culture and Democracy;
Aboriginal Peoples (new this year);
The Health of Canadians;
The Canadian Environment.

Each theme is subdivided into "Government of Canada outcomes," which are the long-term and enduring benefits to Canadians that federal departments and agencies are working to achieve.

Societal indicators are used to assess Canadians' quality of life within the six themes. The indicators were selected based on their relevance to a specific Government of Canada outcome; broad-based support by government partners and stakeholders; consistency over time and, when possible, with those used in international reports; and statistical soundness.

As much as possible, the indicators reflect progress over the past 5-10 years and provide internal comparisons. Because the information gathered in this report is derived from various sources (i.e. the Census of Canada, General Social Surveys, Public Opinion Polls, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development reports), data is not always updated annually.

The list of Government of Canada outcomes and indicators contained in this report are at Annex A.

Canada's Performance 2004 acts as a "roadmap" to Government of Canada efforts to improve quality of life in Canada. Each theme lists departments and agencies that make a contribution. The electronic version of this report links the themes in Canada's Performance 2004 to planning, results and resource information contained in department and agency planning and performance reports, and to relevant audits and evaluations.

An illustration of the connection between the themes, Government of Canada outcomes, societal indicators, and department and agency efforts can be found at Annex B.

Finally, the Performance Highlights section on page 3 summarizes the key findings presented in the report.

Reports from other federal government organizations

Readers might also want to look at the performance of other organizations that contribute to Government of Canada outcomes, by referring to the Annual Report to Parliament on Crown Corporations and Other Corporate Interests of Canada.

Partnering for success

The Government of Canada recognizes that it is only one of many entities that shape our society and that improvement or deterioration in quality of life depends on many factors. For this reason, the government partners with other levels of government, the private and voluntary sectors, non-governmental organizations and individuals to achieve the best possible social, economic and environmental outcomes.

Further information

This report cannot tell the whole story of Canada's performance. The electronic version of the report also includes many links to additional information on societal indicators and measures.

Give us your feedback

The Government of Canada is committed to continually improving its reporting to Canadians. We want to know what you think of this report, what you like best, and what you think needs to be changed or improved so that we can make the necessary adjustments.

We welcome your comments by mail, telephone, facsimile or e-mail.

Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat
Results-Based Management Directorate
300 Laurier Avenue West
9th Floor, West Tower
Ottawa ON K1A 0R5
Telephone: (613) 957-7183
Facsimile: (613) 957-7044
E-mail: rma-mrr@tbs-sct.gc.ca

Performance Highlights

This chart summarizes the material presented in the report regarding Canada's performance in 23 Government of Canada outcomes in 6 areas of federal involvement over the past 5 to 10 years (depending on the relevance and availability of data).

Legend ↑ Improving performance − No definitive trend noted at this time* ↓ Declining performance ^† New Indicator * This is due to either a lack of trend data or multiple measures with opposing trends.
Canada's Place in the World
Government of Canada Outcome	Trend	Indicator	Performance Highlight
A Prosperous and Sovereign Canada in a Safe and Secure North America	↑	Total Trade^†	Despite a decrease in total trade between 2002 and 2003, exports to all countries in 2003 totalled $460 billion, up from $260.9 billion in 1994. Imports from all countries totalled $412.7 billion in 2003, up from $252.3 billion in 1994.
			Exports to the United States in 2003 were at $366 billion, up from $199.9 billion in 1994. Imports from the United States at $282.1 billion in 2003 were up from $182.6 billion in 1994.
	−	Perceptions of Security^†	Although trend data is not available, according to the 2003 Voice of the People international poll, a total of 42% of Canadians, over half of all Americans (53%) and 71% of Mexicans thought their country was less safe today than it was ten years ago.
A Canada Committed to Multilateral Cooperation	−	Trust in International Institutions^†	According to the Globe Scan Survey on Trust in Institutions, 77% of Canadians indicated that they trust the United Nations, up 4% since 2002.
A Canada Committed to Peace, Human Development and Human Security	↓	Official Development Assistance^†	In 2003, Canada contributed 0.26% of its Gross National Income to official development assistance, up slightly (0.01%) from 2000-01, but down 0.19% from 1990-91.
A World where Canada has a Positive Influence and Profile		Indicator under development
Canada's Economy
Government of Canada Outcome	Trend	Indicator	Performance Highlight
An Innovative and Knowledge-based Economy	−	Innovation	Canada's performance in innovation is mixed. Canada's gross expenditure on research and development (GERD) as a percentage of GDP has increased from 1.68% in 1997 to 1.87% in 2003. In terms of other measures of innovation, such as Canada's world share in triadic patent families, and science and engineering article outputs, Canada is behind the US and other G-7 countries.
	↑	Educational Attainment	In the last decade, the proportion of Canadians with a college or university degree increased. In 2001, 61% of all Canadians aged 25 to 34 had at least some education beyond high school. This is a marked increase over a decade earlier when only 49% of people in that age category had any post-secondary education.
	−	Literacy	The data from the first International Adult Literacy Survey (IALS), conducted in 1994, indicates that over 40% of Canadians aged 16 and above function below "Level 3," the minimum desirable level, which corresponds roughly to high school completion. The next survey results will not be available until 2005.
Income Security and Employment for Canadians	↑	Employment Rate	The average employment rate (persons 15 and over) increased from 58.5% in 1996 to 62.4% in 2003. There are substantial variations, however, in the unemployment rates of the provinces. The Atlantic provinces and Quebec continue to have substantially higher unemployment rates than the Canadian average
	↑	Income Security^†	After declining in the first half of the 1990s, real disposable income per capita has increased at an average rate of 1.7% per year since 1997, reflecting strong employment growth and cuts in personal taxes. Real disposable income per capita increased from $18,241 in 1993 to $20,324 in 2003.
			According to the latest data available, the percentage of Canadians living below the Low Income Cut-offs measure decreased from 14% in 1996 to 9.5% in 2002.
A Secure and Fair Marketplace	−	Barriers to Entrepreneurship^†	In 2002, Canada had the second-lowest level of regulatory barriers to entrepreneurship among G-7 countries. It was surpassed only by the U.K.
Strong Regional Economic Growth	↑	GDP per Capita	Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increased by 2% in 2003, part of a continuing upward trend over the past 10 years, but still lower than some experts had predicted.
			In 2003, the Atlantic Provinces, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, British Columbia and Nunavut experienced a slowdown in real GDP. On the other hand, the Northwest Territories experienced a growth in GDP and Saskatchewan and Alberta picked up slightly compared to last year.
Society, Culture and Democracy
Government of Canada Outcome	Trend	Indicator	Performance Highlight
Diversity as a Fundamental Canadian Value	−	Attitudes Toward Diversity	Public opinion polls indicate that Canadians' attitudes toward diversity appear to be mixed. While personal tolerance of others increased slightly - 29% of Canadians believed they were more tolerant toward ethnic groups in 2004, up from 23% in 1991 - support for affirmative action declined from 44% in 1985 to 28% in 2004.
Safe Communities	−	Safety	Despite the increase (6%) in the national crime rate between 2002 and 2003, the 2003 crime rate in Canada is 15% lower than a decade ago.
			Six of the ten countries that participated in the International Crime Victimization Survey in both1996 and 2000, including Canada, experienced no change in their victimization rate.
Caring Communities	↓	Volunteerism	In 2000, 27% of Canadians volunteered 1.05 billion hours of work in Canada, representing a decrease of 13% from 1997.
A Vibrant Canadian Culture and Heritage	−	Participation in Culture and Heritage Activities	From 1992 to 1998, cultural participation among the Canadian population aged 15 and over was declining in some areas and was on the upswing in other areas. For instance, movie-going was up from 48.6% to 59.1% and concert and performance attendance rose from 30.2% to 34.6%. However, attendance figures decreased at performances of live theatre (down 4%), popular music (down 4.1%), and symphonic music (down 4%).
Sustainable Cities and Communities		Indicator under development
An Informed and Engaged Canadian Public	↓	Political participation	Canadian political participation is in decline. The proportion of eligible voters who voted in the 2004 federal election was the lowest in recent Canadian history - 60.5% compared to 70% in 1993.
Aboriginal Peoples
Government of Canada Outcome	Trend	Indicator	Performance Highlight
Full Aboriginal Participation in Life-Long Learning	−	Educational Attainment^†	The percentage of Aboriginal people aged 25 to 34, who are out of school and who have a college or university degree remained relatively stable for each Aboriginal group from 1996 to 2001. The percentage of Aboriginal youth aged 20 to 24 who had incomplete secondary school or less as their highest level of schooling declined from 1996 to 2001.
Strong Aboriginal Economic Self-Reliance	↑	Employment Rate^†	The percentage of employed Aboriginal people aged 25 to 54 increased from 55% in 1996 to 61% in 2001.
	↑	Median Income^†	In 2000, the median income of Aboriginal individuals generally was $13,593, up from $12,010 in 1995. Among Aboriginal groups, the Métis had the highest median income in 2000 at $16,347, up from $13,502 in 1995.
Healthy Aboriginal Communities	↑	Health Status^†	Between 1990 and 2001, life expectancy for First Nations men increased from 66.9 years to 70.4 years. In the same period, life expectancy for First Nations women increased from 74 years to 75.5 years.
			Infant mortality rates for First Nations on reserve dropped from 12.3 in 1991 to 6.4 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2000.
	↑	Housing^†	The percentage of First Nations on reserve living in inadequate housing (needing major repairs) increased from 35% in 1996 to 37% in 2001. However, the percentage of households on reserve living in unsuitable dwellings (not enough bedrooms for the size and make-up of the household) decreased from 27% in 1996 to 22% in 2001.
			In 2001, 24.8% of Aboriginal households off-reserve were in core housing need (in housing that is either inadequate, unsuitable or unaffordable and for which 30% or more of the before-tax income would have to be spent to meet the three standards), down from 31.6% in 1996.
Effective Democracy and a Strengthened Aboriginal Relationship with Canada		Indicator under development
The Health of Canadians
Government of Canada Outcome	Trend	Indicator		Performance Highlight
A Healthy Population	↑	Life Expectancy		Life expectancy at birth has steadily increased from 77.8 years in 1991 to 79.7 years in 2002 (82.1 years for women and 77.2 years for men).
	↓	Self-Rated Health		The proportion of Canadians describing their health as excellent or very good declined among both men and women and in every age group. In 2003, 59.6% of Canadians aged 12 and older reported that they were in excellent or very good health, down from 62.5% in 2000-01 and 63.3% in 1994-95 (age-standardized data).
	↑	Infant Mortality		The Canadian infant mortality rate has dropped steadily in the past decade from 6.4 deaths per 1,000 live births in 1991 to 5.2 per 1,000 in 2001.
	−	Healthy Lifestyles		In the last decade Canadians' progress toward living healthy lifestyles has been mixed. Although people are exercising more, a greater proportion of Canadians are considered obese.
A Strong Health Care System	−	Waiting Times^†		In 2003, the self-reported median wait was 4 weeks to consult a specialist (i.e. visits to a specialist for a new illness or condition), 4.3 weeks for non-emergency surgery, and 3 weeks for diagnostic tests. The comparable self-reported waiting time data at the provincial level indicate that there was some variation in waiting times across provinces.
	−	Patient Satisfaction^†		Between 2000-01 and 2003 the percentage of Canadians who rated the quality of overall health services as being either excellent or good slightly increased from 84.4% to 86.6%.
The Canadian Environment
Government of Canada Outcome	Trend	Indicator		Performance Highlight
Canada's Environment is Protected and Restored from Pollution	−	Air Quality		Levels of several air pollutants have decreased since the mid- to late 1980s. There has been no noticeable net change in fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations since the mid-1990s. While seasonal average levels for ground-level ozone have shown an increase, the peak levels of ground-level ozone have remained relatively stable.
	↑	Water Quality		Wastewater treatment from municipal systems has shown continuous improvement. The percentage of the municipal population on sewers receiving secondary and/or tertiary wastewater treatment increased from 56% in 1983 to 78% in 1999. Despite these improvements, challenges remain in many rural and coastal communities.
The Risk of Climate Change is Minimized	↓	Climate Change		Canadian greenhouse gas emissions increased by 2.1% between 2001 and 2002, and by 20.1% since 1990. While secondary energy use increased by 18% between 1990 and 2002, energy efficiency improved by 13%.
Canada has a Sustainable Approach to its Natural Resources and Healthy Ecosystems	↓	Biodiversity		Between 1985 and May 2004, the status of half of the reassessed species considered at risk remained unchanged, and the status of a third of the reassessed species deteriorated. Despite some successes, the state of biodiversity overall has deteriorated.
	−	Natural Resources Sustainability^†		Among 102 commercial fish stocks assessed between 2001 and 2003, 36 stocks were healthy and increasing compared with their status in the early 1990s; 22 were healthy and stable; and 44 were declining or depleted and not yet recovered. It is not possible at this time to determine a definitive trend in natural resources sustainability based only on trends in commercial fish stocks status.

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