ARCHIVED - Western Economic Diversification Canada

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2007-08
Departmental Performance Report

Western Economic Diversification Canada

Supplementary Information (Tables)

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Table of Contents

• Sources of Respendable and Non-respendable Revenue
• User Fees/External Fees
• Details on Transfer Payments Programs
• Conditional Grants (Foundations)
• Horizontal Initiatives
• Sustainable Development Strategy
• Response to Parliamentary Committees and External Audits
• Internal Audits and Evaluations
• Travel Policies

Table 3: Sources of Respendable and Non-respendable Revenue

Respendable Revenue

($ thousands )	Actual 2005–06	Actual 2006–07	2007–2008
			Main Estimates	Planned Revenue	Total Authorities	Actual
Total Respendable Revenue	-	-	-	-	-	-

Non-Respendable Revenue

($ thousands )	Actual 2005–06	Actual 2006–07	2007–2008
			Main Estimates	Planned Revenue	Total Authorities	Actual
Repayments of Contributions	6,513	4,885	-	1,500	-	3,192
Adjustment to previous years payables at year-end	1,953	2,119	-	500	-	3,816
Other Revenue	175	139	-	200	-	1,803
Fees paid with Access to Information Program (ATIP) requests*	-	-	-	-	-	-
Total Non-Respendable Revenue	8,641	7,143	-	2,200	-	8,811

*Note: Western Economic Diversification Canada collected $446 in fees associated with the Access to Information Program during the fiscal year 2007-2008.

Table 4A: User Fees Act

				2007–2008					Planning Years
A. User Fee	Fee Type	Fee-setting Authority	Date Last Modified	Forecast Revenue	Actual Revenue*	Full Cost	Performance Standard	Performance Results	Fiscal Year	Forecast Revenue	Estimated Full Cost
Fees charged for the processing of access requests	Other products and services (O)	Access to Information Act	1992	$500.00	$446.40	$654.80	Response provided within 30 days following receipt of request; the response time may be extended pursuant to section 9 of the Access to Information Act. Notice of extension to be sent within 30 days after receipt of request	-- WD provided a final response on 20 requests within 30 days of receipt. -- Consultation extensions were required on 8 requests; all extension notices were sent within 30 days of receipt of the request. -- Applications fees collected totalled $115; fees waived for 1 request transferred in ($5). -- Search fees collected totalled $160. -- Preparation fees collected totalled $60. -- Reproduction fees collected totalled $314.80; fees waived totalled $203.40 due to lengthy PCO 69 consults.	2008-09 2009-10 2010-11	$500 $500 $500	$750 $750 $750
				(R) = $0.0 (O) = $500.00 Total = $500.00	(R) =    $0.0 (O) =    $446.40 Total = $446.40	(R) =   $0.0 (O) =   $654.80 Total = $654.80			Sub-Total Sub-Total Sub-Total	08/09 = $500.00 09/10 = $500.00 10/11 = $500.00 Total =  $1,500.00	08/09 = $750.00 09/10 = $750.00 10/11 = $750.00 Total =  $2,250.00
B. Date Last Modified - No changes / amendments occurred in fiscal year 2007-2008
C. Other Information – N/A

Table 4B: Policy on Service Standards for External Fees

   

A. External Fee	Service Standard	Performance Result	Stakeholder Consultation
Fees charged for the processing of access requests filed under the Access to Information Act (ATIA).	Response provided within 30 days following receipt of request; the response time may be extended pursuant to section 9 of the ATIA.  Notice of extension to be sent within 30 days after receipt of request.	Application fees = $115.00 Reproduction fees = $111.40 Search Fees = $150.00 Preparation fees = $60.00 Fee Waived = $208.40 Total actual costs = $654.80 WD provided a final response on 20 requests within 30 days of receipt. Extensions for consultations were required on 8 files; extension notices were sent within 30 days of receipt of the request on 100% of the files where consultations were required. Application fees were waived for 1 request -- transferred in ($5); reproduction fees waived totalled $203.40 due primarily to lengthy PCO 69 consultations.	The service standard is established by the Access to Information Act and the Access to Information Regulations.  Consultations with stakeholders were undertaken by the Department of Justice and the Treasury Board Secretariat for amendments done in 1986 and 1992.
B. Other Information – N/A

Table 5: Details on Transfer Payment Programs (TPPs)

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Western Diversification Program
Start Date: 1987-88			End Date: Terms and Conditions expire July 14, 2009. WD will be seeking approval to renew terms and conditions.
Description: This program was designed to promote economic development and diversification in Western Canada and advance the interests of Western Canada in national policy, program and project development and implementation.
Strategic Outcomes: Policy, Advocacy and Coordination, Community Economic Development and Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Results Achieved:  - A strengthened western innovation system. - An expanded business sector in Western Canada. - Increased investment in strategic federal/regional economic development priorities that improves the viability, prosperity and quality of life in communities across Western Canada.  - A better understanding of Western Canada's needs, opportunities and aspirations inside and outside of the region leading to improved programs and services for western Canadians.
($ thousands)	7) Actual Spending 2005-06	8) Actual Spending 2006-07	9) Planned Spending 2007-08	10) Total Authorities 2007-08	11) Actual Spending 2007-08	12) Variance(s) Between 9) and 11)
Collaboration and Coordination
Total Contributions	35	73	115	0	0	115
Total Collaboration and Coordination	35	73	115	0	0	115
Research and Analysis
Total Contributions	527	472	578	514	514	64
Total Research and Analysis	527	472	578	514	514	64
Advocacy
Total Contributions	0	0	115	20	20	95
Total Advocacy	0	0	115	20	20	95
Community Economic Planning, Development and Adjustment
Total Grants	0	15,000	1,475	16,500	16,500	-15,025
Total Contributions	32,734	71,144	73,907	78,317	34,194	39,713
Total Community Economic Planning, Development and Adjustment	32,734	86,144	75,382	94,817	50,694	24,688
Business Development and Entrepreneurship
Total Grants	0	32,000	2,645	2,000	2,000	645
Total Contributions	20,536	11,898	21,275	19,002	19,747	1,528
Total Business Development and Entrepreneurship	20,536	43,898	23,920	21,002	21,747	2,173
Innovation
Total Grants	0	0	1,880	0	0	1,880
Total Contributions	35,216	51,560	54,013	73,573	63,439	-9,426
Total Innovation	35,216	51,560	55,893	73,573	63,439	-7,546
TOTAL	89,048	182,147	156,003	189,926	136,414	19,589
Comment(s) on Variance(s): Variance against Community Economic Planning, Development and Adjustment is due to the receipt of $16.5M grant for BC Flood Risk Structural Mitigation provided through Supplementary Estimates (A) in fiscal year 2007-2008.  Variance against Innovation is primarily due to receipt of $12M for Vaccine Centre (InterVac) Biosafety Level III Containment Facility through Supplementary Estimates (A) in fiscal year 2007-2008.
Significant Audit and Evaluation Findings and URL(s) to Last Audit and/or Evaluation:  Not yet posted on the web.

 

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Community Futures Program
Start Date:  May 1995			End Date: Ongoing
Description: This program was designed to provide funding for a network of Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs) across Canada with WD as the delivery department for the West. CFDCs are volunteer-led, non-profit organizations that lead strategic economic planning, and provide advice and commercial loans to local entrepreneurs, in order to foster economic development.
Strategic Outcome(s):  Community Economic Development and Entrepreneurship & Innovation
Results Achieved: - Strategic community planning: working with communities to assess local problems, establish objectives, plan and implement strategies to develop human, institutional and physical infrastructures, entrepreneurship, employment, and the economy. - Business Services: delivering a range of business, counseling and information services to small-and-medium-sized enterprises. - Access to capital: providing capital to assist businesses or to help entrepreneurs to create new businesses
($ thousands)	7) Actual Spending 2005-06	8) Actual Spending 2006-07	9) Planned Spending 2007-08	10) Total Authorities 2007-08	11) Actual Spending 2007-08	12) Variance(s) Between 9) and 11)
Community Economic Planning, Development and Adjustment
Total Contributions	10,963	12,950	13,683	13,683	13,881	-198
Total Community Economic Planning, Development and Adjustment	10,963	12,950	13,683	13,683	13,881	-198
Business Development and Entrepreneurship
Total Contributions	14,555	13,442	13,682	13,682	14,429	-747
Total Business Development and Entrepreneurship	14,555	13,442	13,682	13,682	14,429	-747
TOTAL	25,518	26,392	27,365	27,365	28,310	-945
Comment(s) on Variance(s):  not applicable
Significant Audit and Evaluation Findings and URL(s) to Last Audit and/or Evaluation:  CFP Evaluation under way and will be completed in 2008-09

 

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Infrastructure Canada Program
Start Date: October 10, 2000			End Date: March 31, 2011
Description: This program was designed to improve urban and rural community infrastructure in Canada.
Strategic Outcome(s): Community Economic Development
Results Achieved: - Improve Canadian’s quality of life through investments that enhance the quality of the environment, support long-term economic growth, and improve community infrastructure. - Build 21st century infrastructure through the use of technologies, new approaches, and best practices.
($ thousands)	7) Actual Spending 2005-06	8) Actual Spending 2006-07	9) Planned Spending 2007-08	10) Total Authorities 2007-08	11) Actual Spending 2007-08	12) Variance(s) Between 9) and 11)
Infrastructure	137,515	80,429	27,957	50,192	30,659	-2,702
TOTAL	137,515	80,429	27,957	50,192	30,659	-2,702
Comment(s) on Variance(s): Variance is due to the reprofiling of 06/07 funds through Supplementary Estimates (A).
Significant Audit and Evaluation Findings and URL(s) to Last Audit and/or Evaluation:  An audit was completed in July 2006.  http://www.wd.gc.ca/eng/7594.asp

Table 6: Foundations (Conditional Grants)

1) Name of Recipient:  Friends of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights Inc.
2) Start Date: February 25, 2004	3)End Date: N/A		4) Total Funding: $27,000,000
5) Description: Establishment of a museum for human rights in Winnipeg
6) Strategic Outcome: Community Economic Development
7) Summary of Results Achieved by the Recipient: Planning and development of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights ( CMHR ), with an estimated total capital cost of $265 million and containing roughly 5,600 square meters of permanent exhibition space. It will examine the development of human rights in a historical and global context, focusing on the experience of Canadians, and teaching respect for human rights, as well as the consequences of not respecting them. It will place a major emphasis on the history and development of Aboriginal rights in Canada, and will be the first major Canadian Museum to do so. It will also showcase human rights successes and the heroic responses to challenge by leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela. Finally, through interactive displays, multi-media activities, and educational programming, it will work to build commitment to a better future. The museum will be a major new tourist attraction for Winnipeg.
The grant of $27.0 million was paid to the Recipient in 2003/04. Under the terms of the funding agreement,  it has been kept by the Recipient in an investment account, with total drawdowns for eligible expenses of $4,787,247. A Definitive Agreement has been reached by the Recipient, Canadian Heritage, Manitoba, Winnipeg and the Forks Renewal Corporation. It stipulates the financial obligations of all the parties and obligates the federal government to create a new national museum to own and operate the CMHR. Parliament unanimously approved the bill creating this new museum, which received Royal Assent on March 13, 2008. A new Museum Corporation is currently being established by Canadian Heritage to take over development of the CMHR. Subject to a final drawdown for further design work, the remaining amount of the grant will be returned to the Museum Corporation to be part of the federal government contribution of $100 million for the cost of the museum building.
($ thousands)	8) Actual Spending 2005-06	9) Actual Spending 2006-07	10) Planned Spending 2007-08	11) Total Authorities 2007-08	12) Actual Spending 2007-08	13) Variance(s) Between 10) and 12)
14) Community Economic Planning, Development and Adjustment						$0
TOTAL	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0
15) Comment(s) on Variance(s):  Not appliable.  Grant issued in fiscal year 2003-2004.
16) Significant Evaluation Findings and URL to Last Evaluation(s)/Future Plans: The WD funding agreement requires an independent evaluation of the museum within 5 years of its completion. Project not yet completed therefore no evaluation conducted to date.
17) Significant Audit Findings and URL to Last Audits(s)/Future Plans: The WD funding agreement requires the submission of audited financial statements from the recipient. No WD initiated audits conducted to date.
18) URL to Recipient's Site: http://www.canadianmuseumforhumanrights.com/
19) URL to Recipient's Annual Report: http://www.canadianmuseumforhumanrights.com/

 

1) Name of Recipient:  Primrose Lake Economic Development Corporation
2) Start Date: March 30, 2007	3)End Date: March 31, 2027			4) Total Funding: $15,000,000
5) Description: Create a community controlled trust fund for economic development
6) Strategic Outcome(s): Community Economic Development
7) Summary of Results Achieved by the Recipient: Over the past year the Board was active at getting organized and completing the research and payout of the Elders component of the parallel agreement with the Province.  In total, 178 Elders or their estates were recognized through this process.  The Board was also busy building Board capacity, establishing financial accounts and addressing the issue of changing Board membership.  All interest earned in the trust was re-invested in the trust at year-end or directed towards outstanding legal obligations associated with the establishment of the non-profit corporation and negotiations with the federal government.
($ thousands)	8) Actual Spending 2005-06	9) Actual Spending 2006-07	10) Planned Spending 2007-08	11) Total Authorities 2007-08	12) Actual Spending 2007-08	13) Variance(s) Between 10) and 12)
14) Community Economic Planning, Development and Adjustment	$0	$15,000	$0	$0	$0	$0
TOTAL	$0	$15,000	$0	$0	$0	$0
15) Comment(s) on Variance(s): not applicable
16) Significant Evaluation Findings and URL to Last Evaluation(s)/Future Plans: WD agreement requires that an evaluation be completed by March 2012.
17) Significant Audit Findings and URL to Last Audits(s)/Future Plans: Audit by the recipient is due by July 2008.
18) URL to Recipient's Site: not applicable
19) URL to Recipient's Annual Report: not applicable

 

1) Name of Recipient:  Prince Rupert Port Authority (PRPA)
2) Start Date: October 6, 2005		3)End Date: July 31, 2008				4) Total Funding: $30,000,000
5) Description: Develop a three (3) crane container terminal at the existing Fairview break bulk terminal at Prince Rupert, BC
6) Strategic Outcome(s): Entrepreneurship and Innovation (previously Business Development and Entrepreneurship)
7) Summary of Results Achieved by the Recipient: The PRPA and its private partners CN Rail and Maher Terminals of Canada Corp. have proposed a two-phased container terminal construction project. In phase one, the Fairview general cargo terminal in Prince Rupert will be converted to a specialized state-of-the-art container facility capable of handling 500,000 TEUs per year. The terminal is now operational, having its first vessel dock on October 30, 2007.  The direct impact so far has been job creation in the areas of longshoremen, Canada Border Service Agency, container examination facility jobs etc.  One ship per week at present is docking at the terminal and this will increase to 2 to 3 ships per week in 2009.
($ thousands)	8) Actual Spending 2005-06		9) Actual Spending 2006-07	10) Planned Spending 2007-08	11) Total Authorities 2007-08		12) Actual Spending 2007-08	13) Variance(s) Between 10) and 12)
14) Entrepreneurship and Innovation	$0		$30,000	$0	$0		$0	$0
TOTAL	$0		$30,000	$0	$0		$0	$0
15) Comment(s) on Variance(s): not applicable
16) Significant Evaluation Findings and URL to Last Evaluation(s)/Future Plans: Evaluation findings can be found on the recipient's website: http://www.rupertport.com/
17) Significant Audit Findings and URL to Last Audits(s)/Future Plans: Audited Financial Statements for December 31, 2007 have not yet been released.  Unqualified audit opinion on the December 31, 2006 financial statements.  The $6 Million disbursement by WD in fiscal 2007 was selected by the department for audit by Audit Services Canada.  The audit will take place in fiscal year 2009.
18) URL to Recipient's Site: http://www.rupertport.com/
19) URL to Recipient's Annual Report:  http://www.rupertport.com/

 

1) Name of Recipient:  Flood Risk Structural Mitigation in British Columbia
2) Start Date: March 16, 2007	3) End Date: March 31, 2008			4) Total Funding: $16,500,000
5) Description: Improve physical structures to reduce flood risk in British Columbia.
6) Strategic Outcome(s): Community Economic Development
7) Summary of Results Achieved by the Recipient: In anticipation of serious spring flooding, the Government of British Columbia, in partnership with local municipal governments, identified a package of urgent structural mitigation projects. These projects added, upgraded, or reinforced existing floodwater structural mitigation works in several watersheds, increasing the level of protection and minimizing the potential for floodwater damage in communities within watersheds throughout the Fraser River Basin, including Greater Vancouver and Fraser Valley communities along the lower Fraser River. As of April 2007, the projects were on-track for completion in mid-May. Please see http://www2.news.gov.bc.ca/news_releases_2005-2009/2007OTP0051-000501.pdf for project description of the 87 projects.
($ thousands)	8) Actual Spending 2005-06	9) Actual Spending 2006-07	10) Planned Spending 2007-08	11) Total Authorities 2007-08	12) Actual Spending 2007-08	13) Variance(s) Between 10) and 12)
14) Community economic planning, development and adjustment	$0	$0	$0	$16,500	$16,500	-$16,500
TOTAL	$0	$0	$0	$16,500	$16,500	-$16,500
15) Comment(s) on Variance(s): TB Submission approved and funding provided through Supplementary Estimates (A) in fiscal year 2007-2008.
16) Significant Evaluation Findings and URL to Last Evaluation(s)/Future Plans: No evaluations performed to date.
17) Significant Audit Findings and URL to Last Audits(s)/Future Plans: No audits performed to date. Date for an audit in the future has not yet been identified.
18) URL to Recipient's Site: http://www.pep.gov.bc.ca/emerg_mgmt_bc/emerg_mgmt_bc.html
19) URL to Recipient's Annual Report: http://www.bcbudget.gov.bc.ca/Annual_Reports/2006_2007/

Table 7: Horizontal Initiatives

1. Name of Horizontal Initiative:  Western Economic Partnership Agreements					2. Name of Lead Department(s):  Western Economic Diversification Canada
3. Start Date of the Horizontal Initiative:  August 2003			4. End Date of the Horizontal Initiative:  March 2008				5. Total Federal Funding Allocation (start to end date):  $100 million
6. Description of the Horizontal Initiative (including funding agreement):  WEPAs are four-year, $50 million cost shared agreements between the federal government and each of the four western provinces to promote shared economic development priorities.
7. Shared Outcome(s):  Greater federal-provincial cooperation in realizing the economic and regional development potential of Canada’s western provinces resulting in: a strengthened innovation system; the advancement of economic priorities; a competitive and expanded private sector; increased private sector investment opportunities; increased economic activity and diversity; increased international competitiveness; and, more sustainable communities.
8. Governance Structure(s):  Joint Federal Provincial Management Committees
9. Federal Partner(s)   (thousands)	10. Names of Programs for the Federal Partner(s)	11. Total Allocation From Start to End Date ($000)		12. Planned Spending for 2007–2008 ($000)		13. Actual Spending in 2007–2008 ($000)		14. Planned Results for 2007–2008 ($000)	15. Results Achieved in 2007–2008 ($000)
1. Western Economic Diversification Canada	(a) Western Diversification Program	$100,000		$21,000		$18,946			See comments, below..
16. Results Achieved by Non-federal Partners:  Similar to WD.
17. Contact Information:  Jim Monzer, Senior Policy Advisor (780) 495-6881 or mail to: jim.monzer@wd.gc.ca

The WDP Evaluation Final Report notes that for every WEPA dollar spent by WD, another $1.65 was leveraged from other sources (p. 50).  In addition, the Final Report states that:  “Key informants spoke positively about the ability of cost-shared agreements to promote collaboration, strengthen partnerships, and more strategically focus on common priorities.” (p. 44)

Table 8: Sustainable Development Strategy

SDS Departmental Goal:  Innovation Towards Sustainable Development
Federal SD Goal (s) including GGO goals, if applicable:  Clean water, Clean air, Reduce greenhouse gas emissions, Sustainable Communities.
Department’s Expected Results for 2007-2008	Supporting Performance Measure(s)	Achieved SDS Departmental Results for 2007-2008
Development, commercialization, adoption and/or adaptation of environmental technologies and processes	Number of approved projects	9 projects were approved that develop, commercialize, adopt and/or adapt environmental technologies and processes.  WD committed $8,908,645 to these projects, resulting in $4,301,115 in leveraged funding.
Capacity building, market development and development of management capacity in the environmental sector	Dollars committed to projects	13 projects were approved that support the environmental sector for capacity building, market development and to develop management capacity.  WD committed $7,352,000 to these projects, resulting in $7,622,833 in leveraged funding.
Expanded understanding of the impact of environmental issues on Western Canada through research.	Total dollars leveraged	3 projects were approved that support research that expands our understanding of the impact of environmental issues on Western Canada.  WD committed $1,920,000 to these projects, resulting in  $940,000 in leveraged funding.
SDS Departmental Goal: Greening of WD Operations
Federal SD Goal (s) including GGO goals, if applicable:  Governance for sustainable development
Department’s Expected Results for 2007-2008	Supporting Performance Measure(s)	Achieved SDS Departmental Results for 2007-2008
Senior management is engaged and supported by corporate SD team	Executive committee briefed semi-annually about the implementation of SDS IV	Executive Committee received two SD related briefings. Senior Management also discussed and approved the SD Performance Measurement Plan and the SD Implementation Plan.
SD planning, tracking and reporting systems incorporated into new and existing initiatives	Number of initiatives that incorporate SD tracking SD is integrated into the DPR, RPP and regional business plans	Modifications were made to the departments project approval processes to enhance tracking of SD horizontal impacts. SD is integrated with departmental planning process including Regional and Corporate Business Plans, Departmental Progress Report (DPR) and the Report on Plans and Priorities (RPP).
Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) management systems are implemented to ensure early, full and meaningful implementation of the Cabinet Directive	Numbers of SEAs completed	Three preliminary scans were completed relating to Mountain Pine Beetle, Flood Risk Structural Mitigation for BC and the renewal of WD’s Western Economic Partnership Agreement (WEPA).   No detailed SEA’s were required.
Internal communication on SD	Maintain intranet website on greening Regular greening tips to staff	13 Greening Tips were put on the WD Intranet website.  Greening Tips were emailed to all staff.
Greening clauses are incorporated in departmental goods and services contracts where appropriate	Number of contracts with green clauses	In progress.
Purchase green office supplies	Per cent of green office supplies purchased	Across WD 100% of copy paper, letter and legal sized, are certified green purchases.  All copy paper is 30% recycled and FSC.
Purchase or lease green office equipment	Per cent of green purchases or leases for office equipment	100% of printers and photocopiers, leased and/or purchased by WD in 2007/2008 have met criteria for green standards as determined by PWGSC for inclusion in standing offers.
SD and green training provided to officers	Number of staff attending training	WD staff received green training in a variety of contexts including conferences, courses offered by the CSPS and internal procurement training.
Working with facilities management on recycling programs	Participate in paper, battery, and other recycling programs	WD works with facilities management on recycling programs such as paper, plastic, and aluminum can recycling.
SDS Departmental Goal:  External Greening
Federal SD Goal (s) including GGO goals, if applicable:  Not applicable.
Department’s Expected Results for 2007-2008	Supporting Performance Measure(s)	Achieved SDS Departmental Results for 2007-2008
Work with other federal departments and partners to ensure access by western stakeholders to federal SD-related programs	Per cent of federal SD-related $s distributed in Western Canada Number of applications from Western Canada for federal SD-related programs	Amongst federal SD programs tracking regional distribution of funding, twenty three per cent of total funding has been distributed in the West as of June 20, 2008. Information on the number of applications from Western Canada for federal SD programs was not available.
SD excellence in Western Canada recognized	Number of partners and/or stakeholders recognized	A proposal for a WD SD award was submitted to the WD Awards and Recognition Committee.   WD supported the 2007/2008 Alberta Emerald Awards.
Partners provided with information on SD concepts and best practices	Number of SD communications Number of WD outreach activities at SD-related events	WD provided information on SD concepts and best practices to partners through the Department’s publication Access West.  Each of the three issues published in 2007/08 contained SD related information.     WD supports Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDC’s) situated in rural Western Canada.  In a recent online survey of CFDC’s, 86% of the respondents indicated that they are satisfied that WD generated awareness and action on SD during the 5 year period ending March 31, 2008.

*Projects supported may contribute to one or more of the federal SD goals listed.

For a detailed report on key outcomes from 2007-2008, please refer to the annual update at: http://www.wd.gc.ca/eng/57.asp.

Table 9: Response to Parliamentary Committees, and Audits and Evaluations

This section includes the internal audits and program evaluation reports issued by WD.

Challenges for 2007-2008

1. Challenges in implementing the new policy on Internal Audit.
2. Establishing an external audit committee.
3. Establishing a wrongdoing/internal disclosure function.
4. Strengthening staff capacity of audit and evaluation by staffing both audit and evaluation positions.

Internal Audit

WD audits its programs and operations to ensure that they are in compliance with established policies, procedures and government regulations. Audit reports are issued to WD management with conclusions on performance and recommendations for improvements. Audits provide assurances and conclusions based upon professional standards of evidence, analysis and reporting.

Evaluation and Impact Assessments

WD also conducts assessments of the relevance, success and cost-effectiveness of its programs and initiatives. These evaluation reports provide WD management with relevant, timely and objective information to guide decision-making. Evaluation and impact assessment reporting is critical to help demonstrate the results achieved from departmental programs and initiatives.

Response to Parliamentary Committees

None – There were no recommendations during 2007-2008 from Parliamentary Committees.

Response to the Auditor General of Canada, including to the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development (CESD)

Environmental Petition 223-Green procurement and use of recycled paper by federal government departments.  Petition was received November 2007.  This petition is about the federal government’s commitment to implement a green procurement policy.  The following link provides WD’s response to the petition:  http://www.oag-bvg.gc.ca/internet/English/pet_223_e_29419.html - wd Chapter 1, Sustainable Development Strategies by the OAG October 2007 Chapter 9, Sustainable Development Strategies by the OAG June 2007 SDS Audit, Draft Project Report for WD, June 2007 Chapter 10, Environmental Petitions Retrospective Study and Annual Report, June 2007

External Audits (Note: These refer to other external audits conducted by the Public Service Commission of Canada or the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages.)

None

Table 10: Internal Audits and Evaluations

Internal Audits (current reporting period)

Name of Internal Audit	Audit Type	Status	Expected Completion Date	Electronic Link to Report
Audit of Hospitality	Management Audit	Completed	November 2007	http://www.wed.gc.ca/eng/9887.asp
Audit of travel	Management Audit	Completed	November 2007	http://www.wed.gc.ca/eng/9872.asp
Audit of the administration of grants and contributions	Management Audit	Completed	July 2007	http://www.wed.gc.ca/eng/9597.asp
Follow up on completed audits	Follow up review	Completed	May 2008	http://www.wed.gc.ca/eng/10458.asp
Audit of Loan and Investment Program	Program Audit	Completed	February 2008	http://www.wed.gc.ca/eng/10485.asp
Audit of Women’s Enterprise Initiative	Program Audit	Completed	February 2008	http://www.wed.gc.ca/eng/10443.asp
Governance and performance audit	Management Audit	Completed	August 2008	http://www.wed.gc.ca/eng/10709.asp
Audit of International Trade Personnel Program	Management Audit	Completed	August 2008	http://www.wed.gc.ca/eng/10700.asp
Audit of First Jobs in Science and Technology	Management Audit	Completed	August 2008	http://www.wed.gc.ca/eng/10683.asp
Key Financial Controls Audit	Management Audit	In progress	Fall 2008
Electronic link to three-year risk-based Audit Plan:  http://www.wed.gc.ca/eng/10533.asp

Evaluations (current reporting period)

Name of Evaluation	Program Activity	Evaluation Type	Status	Completion Date	Electronic Link to Report
Community Futures Program	- Business Development and Entrepreneurship - Community Economic Planning, Development and Adjustment	Summative	In-progress	- December 2008 - National roll up report: March 2009.
Western Diversification Program	- Business Development and Entrepreneurship - Innovation - Community Economic Planning, Development and Adjustment -  Advocacy; Collaboration and Coordination; Research and Analysis	Summative	Completed and approved by management	November 2008	Not posted on the web yet
Asia Pacific Initiative-Horizontal Initiative led by Transport Canada	- Research and Analysis. - Infrastructure	Implementation Review	In progress	October 2008
U.S Enhanced Representation Initiative-Horizontal Initiative led by DFAIT	- Business Development and Entrepreneurship -  Advocacy; Collaboration and Coordination	Summative evaluation of the U.S. Enhanced Representation Initiative.	Completed and approved by management	Completed and approved Feb. 08	Not posted on the web yet.
Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund-Horizontal Initiative Led by INFC.	- Infrastructure	Formative	Completed	March 2008	http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/pd-dp/eval/ffe-mrif-2008-eng.html
Electronic link to  five-year risk-based Evaluation Plan:  http://www.wed.gc.ca/eng/10519.asp

Table 11: Travel Policies

Western Economic Diversification Canada conforms to all Treasury Board Secretariat travel policy parameters.