| Q1. |
What is the Public Service Modernization
Act? |
| A1. |
The Public Service Modernization Act is a
piece of legislation that will transform the way the federal
government hires, manages and supports its public service
employees. The Act is also designed to promote more
collaborative labour-management relations, to facilitate learning
and training for employees at all levels, and to clarify roles
and accountability.
|
| Q2. |
Why did the government introduce the
Public Service Modernization Act? |
| A2. |
The Government of Canada recognized that its human resources
practices had become too intricate and inflexible in view of
today’s climate of rapid change and growing complexity. In
an effort to create a world-class public service, the federal
government introduced what is perhaps the most dramatic reform to
the way it manages its human resources in more than 35 years.
The roadmap for this initiative is a piece of legislation
called the Public Service Modernization Act (PSMA). Once
in full force, the PSMA will transform the way government hires,
manages and supports its public service employees. The Act
is also intended to help foster stronger relationships between
employees and managers, bargaining agents and management, as well
as HR professionals and line managers.
The goal is for Canadians to have the best public service
possible.
|
| Q3. |
Who is impacted by the implementation of the
Public Service Modernization Act? |
| A3. |
Public service employees across Canada will
benefit from the Public Service Modernization Act (PSMA)
as it touches on a wide array of workplace issues. The PSMA
supports healthy and productive workplaces; more flexible
staffing; a more focussed and better integrated training and
learning for employees at all levels; and clearer roles and
strengthened accountability for deputy heads and managers.
|
| Q4. |
What other legislative changes are happening
under the initiative of the Public Service Modernization
Act? |
| A4. |
The Public Service Modernization Act
(PSMA) provides a broad framework for human resources
modernization. It encompasses several other pieces of legislation
that have been revised or created to modernize staffing, foster
collaborative labour relations, clarify managerial roles and
strengthen accountability, and provide employees at all levels
with access to continuous learning opportunities. The PSMA
includes:
- a new Public Service Employment Act, which addresses
staffing;
- a new Public Service Labour Relations Act, which
addresses labour relations;
- an amended Financial Administration Act, which
addresses accountability; and
- an amended Canadian Centre for Management Development
Act, which addresses learning and development.
|
| Q5. |
What are the changes brought about by the
Public Service Modernization Act? |
| A5. |
The Public Service Modernization Act (PSMA) is changing
the way we manage human resources in the public service.
The PSMA will benefit both managers and employees. For
example, the Act will enable the following activities:
|
| Q6. |
Is the Public Service Modernization
Act in effect? |
| A6. |
Yes. However, it will come into full force in December 2005,
when the last of the four subordinate acts it encompasses takes
effect. The major milestones for the components of the Public
Service Modernization Act are as follows:
- the Canada
School of Public Service was established April 1, 2004;
- the Public Service Labour Relations Act and amendments
to the Financial Administration Act came into force April
1, 2005;
- the creation of the new Public Service Staffing Tribunal is
scheduled for late 2005;
- the Public Service Employment Act is expected to come
into force in December 2005.
|
