The Standard on Evaluation for the Government of Canada takes effect on April 1, 2009. This standard replaces the standard under the 2001 Evaluation Policy.
This standard applies to departments as defined in section 2 of the Financial Administration Act, with the exception of the Office of the Governor-General's Secretary, and the staffs of the Senate, House of Commons, Library of Parliament, Office of the Senate Ethics Officer and Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner.
The Standard on Evaluation for the Government of Canada was developed to ensure that evaluations meet minimum requirements for quality, neutrality, and utility. In doing so, decision-makers are provided with credible information which supports decision-making on policy and expenditure management and program improvements and demonstrates accountability for results.
This standard applies to evaluations of government programs. Heads of evaluation will implement the standard, and are also accountable for ensuring that federal government evaluators and evaluation managers, and external evaluators apply the standard.
For evaluators, the standard provides direction on what is required to produce acceptable evaluations. For users of evaluation information, the standard provides a basis on which to judge the merit and reliability of evaluations.
The standard supports the objectives of, and is to be read in conjunction with, the Policy on Evaluation and the Directive on the Evaluation Function.
The Treasury Board has delegated to the President of the Treasury Board the authority to issue, amend and rescind the Standard on Evaluation for the Government of Canada and to approve any exception to the standard.
This standard covers activities associated with the full cycle of an evaluation project including protocols, planning and design, project management, and reporting.
Definitions used in the interpretation of this standard can be found in Annex A of the Policy on Evaluation.
The objective of this standard is to set minimum requirements for the conduct of evaluations so as to ensure their quality, neutrality and utility.
The expected results of this standard are departmental evaluation products of adequate quality that are used in program, policy and expenditure decision making, and public reporting.
There are four areas covered by this standard, pertaining to evaluation processes and activities (i.e. evaluation protocol); evaluation planning and design; evaluation project management; and evaluation reporting and use. Heads of evaluation are responsible for ensuring that the requirements of this standard are met.
Protocol requirements refer to expected processes and activities to ensure evaluations produce credible, neutral and timely results that inform decision making, support program improvements, and demonstrate accountability.
6.1.1 Governance
6.1.2 Stakeholder Involvement
6.1.3 Follow-Up
Evaluation planning and design requirements ensure that the basic elements of a good evaluation are in place at the outset of an evaluation.
6.2.1 Cost-Effective and Risk-Based Evaluations
6.2.2 Standard on Measurement and Analysis
Requirements related to managing an evaluation ensure that evaluations are conducted in a professional and ethical manner.
6.3.1 Ethically-based
6.3.2 Team Competencies
6.3.3 Project Management
6.3.4 Information Management, Privacy and Confidentiality
Evaluation reporting requirements ensure that reports present the findings, conclusions and recommendations in a clear and neutral manner.
6.4.1 Evaluation reports
6.4.2 Utilization
Evaluation information on the ongoing relevance and performance of direct program spending is:
The monitoring and reporting requirements outlined in section 7 of the Policy on Evaluation apply to this standard.
The consequences of non-compliance with this standard are identified in section 8 of the Policy on Evaluation.
Please direct enquiries about this standard to:
Senior Director, Centre of Excellence for Evaluation