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Table 5: Response to the Auditor General of Canada’s Recommendations

*2008 May Report of the Auditor General of Canada:* Chapter 1—Management of Fees in Selected Departments and Agencies
Auditor General of Canada Recommendation	Secretariat Response
Recommendation (1.83): The Secretariat should identify challenges with respect to the scope and application of the User Fees Act and provide the President of the Treasury Board with that analysis, with the view to tabling a report in Parliament, for Parliament’s consideration.	The Secretariat agrees that there have been challenges in the interpretation and application of the User Fees Act and will provide the President of the Treasury Board with its analysis of these by November 2008.
Recommendation (1.91): The Secretariat should finalize its guidance on establishing costs for fees and should update guidance on the factors organizations should consider in determining the amount to be charged for a fee.	Agreed. Following considerable analysis and departmental consultation, the Secretariat released a revised Guide to Costing in March 2008. The revised Guide, founded on generally accepted management accounting principles, promotes costing and the use of cost information as key tools of sound management and decision making. The Guide promotes a consistent seven-step approach that should be used in all costing exercises. Practical guidance contained in the revised Guide will foster better understanding of the costs of fee-related services and help strengthen the base upon which the appropriate amount of a user fee may be determined. The Secretariat will also undertake to update, by March 2009, its guidance on the factors to be considered in determining the amount of a fee

**2008 December Report of the Auditor General of Canada:** **Chapter 2—Governance of Small Federal Entities**
Auditor General of Canada Recommendation	Secretariat Response
Recommendation (2.37): The Privy Council Office (PCO) and the Secretariat should improve their guidance on portfolio coordination, ensuring that expectations are clearly set out and communicated to portfolio departments and entities.	Agreed. The Secretariat and PCO agree that additional guidance should be provided. The Secretariat expects to have a guide available for portfolio deputy ministers and their departments by March 31, 2009. This guide will provide practical information and suggestions for the successful coordination of the federal organizations that comprise ministerial portfolios. Rather than setting out expectations for conduct in specific cases, it is intended to support the Secretariat’s annual assessment of portfolio coordination through the Management Accountability Framework (MAF). The Secretariat will also continue the practice of reviewing the portfolio coordination assessment criteria and guidance to departments before each MAF round.
Recommendation (2.45): The Secretariat should ensure that the MAF assessment of financial management and control in small entities relies upon sufficient and appropriate information.	Agreed. The MAF methodology used for Round IV in 2006 included an assessment of policy compliance by all organizations, including small agencies, in a number of areas of financial management and control. The methodology for financial management and control was significantly expanded in 2007 for Round V to include new measures and sub-measures and to collect additional information that the Office of the Auditor General of Canada did not audit.
Recommendation (2.60): The Secretariat and the Canada Public Service Agency should incorporate into their plans measures that adequately address the reporting burden in small entities, including expected outcomes, timelines, and performance indicators.	Agreed. The Secretariat is committed to reducing the reporting requirements for all departments and agencies, including small entities. The particular context and needs of small entities are being taken into consideration in the Web of Rules Action Plan, and special measures and support will be considered as appropriate to mitigate the burden for these entities, recognizing that capacity alone cannot determine the level of reporting required of any entity. Consideration of risk, performance, and accountability as well as the need to maintain effective oversight are also important factors. Reporting burden is a function of both the number of questions and the effort required to respond to them. Therefore, the Secretariat has not only reduced the number of questions on the online human resources reporting portal by 85 per cent, but has also simplified the questions that remain. Similar success has also been achieved with respect to reducing people management reporting requirements under MAF. Work to streamline the Treasury Board Portfolio policy suite from 180 to 44 policies continues, with a target of 25 per cent reduction in reporting requirements in policies by 2010.
Recommendation (2.76): The Secretariat should address the issues identified with respect to administrative shared services in small entities.	Agreed. The Secretariat is currently developing a service strategy that will include options for delivery of services and will take into consideration administrative shared services arrangements. The Secretariat will address the issues related to small entities in the overall strategy.

*2008 December Report of the Auditor General of Canada:* Chapter 3—Contracting for Professional Services—Public Works and Government Services Canada
Auditor General of Canada Recommendation	Secretariat Response
Recommendation (3.82): The Secretariat should update its guidance document on the treatment of amendments to contracts.	Agreed. Recent changes to the Treasury Board Contracting Policy, which came into effect September 1, 2008, now require the disclosure of contract amendments over $10,000. The Secretariat plans to issue new guidance to departments regarding the proactive disclosure of contract amendments no later than January 2009.

*2009 February Report of the Auditor General of Canada:* Managing Identity Information
Auditor General of Canada Recommendation	Secretariat Response
Recommendation (73): The Secretariat should: take action to standardize identity management practices and increase interoperability within the Government of Canada, with particular focus on the use of vital events information and online authentication; establish governance arrangements (such as clear mandates for interdepartmental committees) to manage interdepartmental initiatives concerning identity information and to achieve common results; and lead an assessment to identify the challenges (technical, financial, legislative, or policy) in current identity information management initiatives, determine whether current arrangements support effective and efficient delivery of government services while protecting privacy, and act on the results of the assessment.	Agreed. In the context of policy suite renewal, the Secretariat is enhancing government security policy instruments to address identity management. Specifically, these instruments will support the management of business processes related to the validation of identity information and online authentication and will encourage interoperability by ensuring that common direction and guidance is prescribed around identity management practices. The new Policy on Government Security will address the authority for interdepartmental committees to lead in the domain of identity management, including interdepartmental identity information initiatives. The implementation of the new policy and related instruments is expected to commence next year, with full implementation expected within 3 years. The Secretariat will undertake an assessment to identify the challenges associated with existing identity management initiatives and make recommendations to the Secretary regarding the necessary and appropriate measures required to address the challenges identified. The assessment will be informed and directed by new governance arrangements, which will be established by the renewed Policy on Government Security and related directives. The Secretariat’s assessment will inform the evaluation of the policy over the next three to five years.

**2009 March Report of the Auditor General of Canada:** **Chapter 1—National Security: Intelligence and Information Sharing**
Auditor General of Canada Recommendation	Secretariat Response
Recommendation (1.47): The Privy Council Office and Public Safety Canada, with the assistance of the Department of Justice Canada and the Secretariat, should increase their efforts to examine and provide guidance on the sharing of information among government departments and agencies while balancing privacy concerns with national security concerns. (1.41–1.46)	Agreed. The Secretariat, along with the Privy Council Office, Public Safety Canada, and the Department of Justice Canada, agree to work together to address the recommendation. The Secretariat will continue efforts to share information while balancing privacy and national security concerns. It will assist departmental leads in these efforts by providing policy guidance and advice on matters relating to information management, privacy, and security. The Secretariat is also committed to providing regular summary reports to Justice Canada and Public Safety on issues related to information sharing and interoperability that are reported to the Secretariat through the Public Security Initiatives Annual Reporting Process.

Table 6: Response to Parliamentary Committees 2008–09

*Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates:* The Right Pay for Valuable Employees
(Adopted by the Committee on April 17, 2008; presented to the House on May 1, 2008)
Summary of Report	Discussion of progress made to address recommendations	Link to the Secretariat's response
The Committee considered the problems in the federal government's compensation system from the perspective of the public interest. Recommendations were made to the government to address the classification of compensation advisors, the upgrading of the compensation system's technological infrastructure, and the turnover rate in the public service.	The Government Response addressed all recommendations and indicated that it has undertaken or will undertake actions with respect to most of the recommendations and highlighted its commitment to improving the effectiveness and timeliness of compensation to public service employees. The government has taken action to ensure equitable compensation for all employees in the federal public sector by tabling the Public Sector Equitable Compensation Act (PSECA) as part of the Budget Implementation Act 2009. The Response also highlighted the government's commitment to the development and consideration of an approach to modernize technology and processes to simplify the administration of pay for the Government of Canada. The 2009–10 Public Service Renewal Action Plan emphasized linking human resources needs with organizational business needs, one outcome of which would be more stability and fewer turnovers in the public service.	Second Report of the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates: The Right Pay for Valuable Employees (Third Report of the Committee presented to the House during the Second Session of the 39th Parliament) (Presented to the House on September 14, 2009).

**Standing Committee on Public Accounts: Restoring the Honour of the RCMP: Addressing Problems in the Administration of the RCMP's Pension and Insurance Plans**
(Adopted by the Committee on December 6, 2007; presented to the House on December 10, 2007)
Summary of Report	Discussion of progress made to address recommendations	Link to the Secretariat's response
The committee examined the RCMP's progress in responding to the allegations of fraud and abuse during the outsourcing of the administration of the force's pension and insurance plans. An investigation by the Ottawa Police Service and an audit by the Office of the Auditor General of Canada were completed prior to this Report. The 28 recommendations directed to the government call for RCMP follow-up action, RCMP administrative improvements, Treasury Board policy changes, and broader legislative instruments. In brief, these recommendations focus on the recovery of misappropriated funds, ensuring compliance with the Contracting Policy, strengthened rules for discipline and dismissal of public servants, improving protection for whistleblowers, and enhancing review and accountability of the RCMP. Overall, the Government Response expresses general support for these recommendations, noting that action has either been taken or is underway to address the recommendations.	The Government Response indicates that all of the policy recommendations are being reviewed as part of the Secretariat's Policy Suite Renewal Initiative. Consideration is also being given to clarifying the Secretariat's Guidelines for Discipline. A compliance framework is under development to ensure that both sides of compliance are addressed—preventative measures before and appropriate restorative measures after. It will also include training for employees and disciplinary codes to provide clarity on misconduct and related consequences.	Second Report of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, "Restoring the Honour of the RCMP: Addressing Problems in the Administration of the RCMP's Pension and Insurance Plans" (Presented to the House on April 7, 2008)

**Standing Committee on Public Accounts: The Expenditure Management System at the Government Centre and the Expenditure Management System of Departments**
(Adopted by the Committee on February 12, 2008; presented to the House on February 25, 2008)
Summary of Report	Discussion of progress made to address recommendations	Link to the Secretariat's response
The Committee examined the Expenditure Management System within central agencies and departments. The Report focussed on the roles and responsibilities of central agencies, access to information, evaluation, alignment of funding to programs, the Expenditure Management Information System, conditions for funding, and the Supplementary Estimates process.	In each of its budgets, the government has underscored its commitment to developing a new approach to managing overall spending to ensure that all government programs are effective and efficient, are focussed on results, provide value for taxpayers' money, and are aligned with the government's priorities and responsibilities.	Fourth Report of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, "The Expenditure Management System at the Government Centre and the Expenditure Management System in Departments" (Presented to the House on July 16, 2008)

***Standing Committee on Public Accounts: Protection of Public Assets – Office of the Correctional Investigator***
(Adopted by the Committee on February 12, 2008; presented to the House on February 25, 2008)
Summary of Report	Discussion of progress made to address recommendations	Link to the Secretariat's response
The Committee examined improper and questionable payments made to the Correctional Investigator up until October 2003. The Report focusses on corrective action taken to date and makes recommendations for measures to ensure these practices do not occur in the future.	The new financial management policy suite will outline the roles and responsibilities of the Comptroller General of Canada to monitor and ensure that chief financial officers understand and fulfill their duties. The Office of the Comptroller General of Canada will assess the extent of total internal audit coverage of small departments and agencies and will report relevant information in the most current annual Internal Audit Plan. The Management Accountability Framework (MAF) Directorate is in the final year of establishing a three-year rotational cycle for the assessment of small agencies.	Fifth Report of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, "Protection of Public Assets – Office of the Correctional Investigator" (Presented to the House on July 16, 2008)

***Standing Committee on Public Accounts: Departmental Answers to Questions about Government Responses (39th Parliament)***
(Adopted by the Committee on February 14, 2008; presented to the House on February 25, 2008)
Summary of Report	Discussion of progress made to address recommendations	Link to the Secretariat's response
The Report examines the effectiveness of the Committee in enacting change within the public service through committee report recommendations. The Report includes an analysis of the number of recommendations (in a sample of reports) and the actions of the public service in addressing said recommendations.	The recently introduced Federal Accountability Act contains many measures aimed at increasing the information available to Parliament for holding the government to account.	Sixth Report of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, "Departmental Answers to Questions About Government Responses (39th Parliament)" (Presented to the House on July 16, 2008)

**Standing Committee on Public Accounts: Large Information Technology Projects**
(Adopted by the Committee on February 14, 2008; presented to the House on February 25, 2008)
Summary of Report	Discussion of progress made to address recommendations	Link to the Secretariat's response
The Committee examined the progress the public service has made in the management of large-scale IT projects.	The action plan to improve project management is based on research into why projects fail. It attempts to find the right balance between being overly prescriptive and overly reliant on guidance—which by definition can be considered as optional. The action plan clarifies and strengthens the existing policies and guidance for the management of IT projects and introduces new requirements, such as independent reviews.	Seventh Report of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, "Large Information Technology Projects" (Presented to the House on July 16, 2008)

***Standing Committee on Public Accounts: Chapter 5, Passports Services – Passport Canada of February 2007 Report of the Auditor General of Canada***
(Adopted by the Committee on February 28, 2008; presented to the House on March 5, 2008)
Summary of Report	Discussion of progress made to address recommendations	Link to the Secretariat's response
The Report focusses on the progress Passport Canada has made toward meeting its service standards while factoring in heightened expectations for security with the growing demand for services.	The Secretariat has taken the lead on work to combine the various ways of developing a whole-of-government approach to this issue. However, because this is an unfunded priority without allocated resources, little progress has been made.	Ninth Report of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, "Chapter 5, Passports Services – Passport Canada of February 2007 Report of the Auditor General of Canada" (Presented to the House on June 6, 2008)

**Standing Committee on Public Accounts: Public Accounts of Canada 2007**
(Adopted by the Committee on February 28, 2008; presented to the House on March 5, 2008)
Summary of Report	Discussion of progress made to address recommendations	Link to the Secretariat's response
The Report focusses on the government's reporting of the Public Accounts of Canada (i.e., the consolidated financial statements of the Government of Canada).	The measures mentioned in the Response support improved reporting in the Public Accounts and positively address recommendations made by the parliamentary Committee and the Auditor General of Canada.	Eleventh Report of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, "Public Accounts of Canada 2007" (Presented to the House on July 16, 2008)

***Standing Committee on Public Accounts: Chapter 5, Managing the Delivery of Legal Services to Government – Department of Justice Canada of the May 2007 Report of the Auditor General of Canada***
(Adopted by the Committee on February 12, 2009; presented to the House on February 25, 2009)
Summary of Report	Discussion of progress made to address recommendations	Link to the Secretariat's response
The Report focusses on recommendations for managing the delivery of legal services to the Government of Canada. Specifically, a recommendation was made for the Secretariat to undertake a feasibility study of reporting the government's total cost for legal services.	The Secretariat has reviewed the existing reporting of the costs of legal services to Parliament and reviewed the possibility of using the Management, Resources and Results Structures to further capture the costs of legal services to the government. With respect to existing reporting, the Public Accounts of Canada 2007 (Volume II, Section 17, and Volume III, Section 3) and the Department of Justice Canada Departmental Performance Report provide details on the majority of these costs.	Fourth Report of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (recommendations contained in the 17th Report of the Committee presented to the House during the Second Session of the 39th Parliament) (Presented to the House on June 19, 2009)