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Speech by
Reg Alcock
President of the Treasury Board
News Conference on the Release of the Government of Canada's Review of the Governance Framework for Canada's Crown Corporations
Check Against Delivery
February 17, 2005
National Press Gallery
Ottawa, Ontario
Good morning, ladies and gentlemen.
When the Prime Minister appointed me President of the Treasury Board, he
asked me to strengthen public sector management.
Over the past year we have introduced a number of important measures to do
this.
We re-established the Office of the Comptroller General of Canada to
rigorously oversee all government spending and appointed the Comptroller General
of Canada.
We announced a multi-year initiative to strengthen the internal audit
function in the public sector, and introduce standardized, proven audit
processes.
We introduced proactive disclose of travel and hospitality expenses of
Ministers, Parliamentary Secretaries, political staff, and senior public
servants, as well as proactive disclosure of government contracts over $10,000;
and public service position reclassifications.
We introduced a new format for Estimates that improves the
consistency of information and includes more horizontal and summary information
for Parliamentarians.
And on February 10th, 2004 I announced that the government was
undertaking a review of Crown corporation governance.
We committed to examining policies and practices in other jurisdictions,
including the private sector, and to making recommendations on improving the
regime.
And we've done just that.
Today, I am pleased to release the Government of Canada's report, Meeting the
Expectations of Canadians – Review of the Governance Framework for Canada's Crown
Corporations.
This is the most comprehensive review of Canadian Crown corporation
governance in 20 years.
It goes well beyond addressing the issues raised by the Auditor General.
This report identifies 31 measures to significantly improve the effectiveness
of the governance framework, while at the same time respecting the autonomy and
arms-length relationship of Crown corporations with government.
As public institutions, Crown corporations strengthen the economic, social
and cultural fabric of Canada.
They are integral to the government's delivery of programs and services to
Canadians – day-in and day-out.
They have been a successful delivery model since CN was formed 83 years ago.
That said, the expectations of Canadians and the governance systems in the
private sector have evolved tremendously in the last 20 years.
Crown corporations operate in a complex environment in which they often need
to deal with a mix of commercial and public policy objectives.
While some have outstanding governance systems, we must assure Canadians that
this standard of governance is consistent across all Crowns.
Good governance is all about relationships, based on shared values and
principles, between citizens, the government, and other key organizations.
Crown corporations – created, mandated and entrusted by Parliament to serve
Canadians – must respect this dynamic.
The measures detailed in the review are aimed at:
- clarifying the relationship between Ministers and Crown
corporations;
- clarifying the accountability regimes of Crowns
corporations;
- making the appointment process more transparent;
- bringing the governance of Crown corporations in line
with reforms in the private sector;
- strengthening the audit regimes in Crown corporations,
and
- making the activities and operations of Crown
corporations more transparent.
This report reflects extensive internal and external consultations with CEOs
and Chairs of Crown corporations, federal deputy ministers, their provincial
counterparts and private sector leaders.
I believe we are striking the right balance between oversight and operational
independence between policy and commercial priorities.
I believe the measures in today's report position Crown corporations to excel
as models of good governance.
And now, I'll be happy to take your questions.
Thank you.
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