Canada's Performance 2005 is the fifth annual report to Parliament on the federal government's contribution to
Canada's performance as a nation-highlighting both strengths and areas for improvement.
Canada's federal organizations play an important role in the quality of life of Canadians. They support the way we govern
ourselves as a federation, administer our laws and justice system, develop and deliver our national social programs and services,
regulate the economy and promote fair trade, and represent and protect our interests and values in the world.
Canadians rightly expect a lot of their public sector. They expect the government to pursue policies and programs that take
into account and are responsive to public priorities. They expect the government to operate in an open, transparent, and
accountable manner. They want to know that government programs and services are well managed. Above all, they want assurances that
they are receiving good value for their tax dollars.
Canada's Performance 2005 is structured around three main policy areas:
- sustainable economy, which demonstrates the increased importance given to the links between the Canadian
economy and the natural environment;
- Canada's social foundations, which reflects the important role health care plays in Canadian society; and
- Canada's place in the world, which recognizes the international dimension of government activity needed to
advance national aspirations.
This year's report also features a special overview of the government's efforts to support improvement in the well-being of
Aboriginal peoples.
Chapters on the three policy areas provide a broad overview of the federal government's initiatives, commitments, and
achievements related to the long-term benefits to Canadians-referred to as Government of Canada outcomes-that the federal
government is working to achieve.
Under the three policy areas, the Government of Canada outcomes are as follows:
Sustainable economy
- sustainable economic growth;
- an innovative and knowledge-based economy;
- income security and employment for Canadians;
- a fair and secure marketplace; and
- a clean and healthy environment.
Canada's social foundations
- healthy Canadians with access to quality health care;
- an inclusive society that promotes linguistic duality and diversity;
- a vibrant Canadian culture and heritage; and
- safe and secure communities.
Canada's place in the world
- a strong and mutually beneficial North American partnership;
- a prosperous global economy that benefits Canadians and the world;
- a safe and secure world; and
- global poverty reduction through sustainable development.
Each chapter starts with an introduction, which discusses the policy area of the chapter, a brief description
of the Government of Canada's role in that policy area, and a list of the outcomes that will be addressed.
Each outcome starts with a performance context, which provides an assessment of quality of life in Canada and
is based on a broadly accepted set of societal indicators. This section provides context for the federal government's programs,
expenditures, and performance in each outcome. A legend of the symbols used can be found below.
| Legend |
| ▲ |
Improving performance |
| ▬ |
No definitive trend noted at this time (This is due to either a lack of
trend data, relatively stable performance and trends, or multiple measures with opposing trends.) |
| ▼ |
Declining performance |
| † |
New indicator |
The performance highlights section in Appendix A summarizes the societal indicator information presented in
this report.
In order to have an objective assessment of Canada's performance, the societal indicators are drawn from established data
sources-for example, the Census of Canada, general social surveys conducted by Statistics Canada, public opinion polls, and
reports from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the World
Economic Forum. These indicators are reported on annually in order to show consistent and measurable trend data over a period of
five to ten years, using the most recent trend data available.
A number of indicators have not been updated for 2005 because they are either based on one-time surveys or surveys that are not
repeated annually or because data were not available in time for inclusion in this report. While not every indicator is updated
annually due to different reporting cycles, the most recent trend data available are always included.
In examining the outcomes, Canada's Performance 2005 looks at the Government of Canada's contribution,
recognizing that many players-individuals, businesses, other governments, and non-profit groups-also have an important
contribution to make.
Each outcome ends with a list of departments, agencies, and Crown corporations that are working toward its improvement.
Figure 1.1 illustrates the framework used by Canada's Performance to report on a whole-of-government perspective.
The illustration goes from very broad (left-hand side) to more specific (right-hand side). For example, the broad policy area
"Sustainable Economy" is made up of five Government of Canada outcomes; 37 federal organizations contribute to the
achievement of "sustainable economic growth" through 46 strategic outcomes or mandates. The Canada Small Business
Financing Program is an example of a program that contributes to the achievement of Industry Canada's strategic outcome: "a
competitive industry and sustainable communities."
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Aboriginal Peoples Chapter
This is the second time that Canada's Performance includes a specific chapter on Aboriginal people. This chapter is the next
step following the Canada-Aboriginal Peoples Roundtable, which began in April 2004, in which the federal government committed to
improving accountability for results.
This step begins by taking stock of the programs the Government of Canada provides to First Nations and Métis people and the
Inuit and by disclosing in detail all federal spending in 2004-05 committed to Aboriginal peoples in Canada.
The Aboriginal Peoples Chapter therefore has a unique look and feel in comparison to other chapters in the report. It contains
figures on federal spending rolled up for all programs within seven thematic headings-health, governance and relationships,
lifelong learning, safe and sustainable communities, housing, economic opportunities, and lands and resources-developed as a
response to the Canada-Aboriginal Peoples Roundtable.
The electronic version of the report links to the Aboriginal Horizontal Framework, which includes all of the programs offered
by federal departments and agencies as well as their objectives and costs. Where possible, the Framework also specifies which
programs are offered to First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities.
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Electronic version of the report
The electronic version of this report links to department and agency planning and performance reports as well as to the Annual
Report to Parliament on Crown Corporations and Other Corporate Interests of Canada.
The electronic version also links to important databases on government audits and evaluations, horizontal initiatives, and
detailed program and expenditure information for the federal program suite for Aboriginal peoples. Hyperlinks provide additional
information on various publications, policies, and Web sites relevant to each policy area.
In addition, substantial improvements were made to the supplementary on-line annexes. The electronic version of Canada's
Performance 2005 now includes links to three annexes: a glossary and two annexes on additional indicator information.
Readers are encouraged to consult the electronic version of the report (http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/report/govrev/05/cp-rc_e.asp)
to access the on-line annexes and the relevant hyperlinks throughout the report.
In the print version of the report, each hyperlink is illustrated by the mouse symbol.
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