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Since my appointment as Chief Electoral Officer of Canada by the House of Commons in February 2007, I have overseen an organization of dedicated professionals efficiently administering all aspects of the Canada Elections Act.
Despite the challenges posed by unpredictable election cycles and significant ongoing legislative reform, at Elections Canada we have worked diligently to ensure that we continue to deliver our statutory mandate fairly, transparently and effectively.
To meet the challenges, we have recently adopted a five-year strategic plan. It sets out three strategic objectives: Trust, Accessibility and Engagement; these will focus our efforts to ensure that Canadians continue to have confidence in their electoral process and are provided with increased opportunity to participate actively in the selection of their representatives. The plan also identifies four enablers: Human Resources, Information Technology, Governance and Communications; these are essential for delivering our mandate and meeting our strategic objectives.
In 2008–09, we will continue to maintain readiness in the situation of a minority government, carry out regulatory activities, support the process of electoral reform, and implement our new strategic plan. We will also pay special attention to two key enablers: Information Technology and Human Resources.
I and the team at Elections Canada look forward to working closely with all electors, parliamentarians, political parties and other stakeholders to further enhance the electoral process, increase accessibility of electoral services for Canadians and build their trust in our electoral framework.
_______________________________
Marc Mayrand
Chief Electoral Officer of Canada
I submit, for tabling in Parliament, the 2008–09 Report on Plans and Priorities for the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer.
This document has been prepared based on the reporting principles contained in the Guide to the Preparation of Part III of the 2008–09 Estimates: Reports on Plans and Priorities and Departmental Performance Reports:
_______________________________
Marc Mayrand
Chief Electoral Officer of Canada
The Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, commonly known as Elections Canada, is an independent, non-partisan agency set up by Parliament. Its mandate is to:
In fulfillment of this mandate, the agency strives to ensure that all voters have access to the electoral process, provides information and education programs to citizens about the electoral system, maintains the National Register of Electors, monitors compliance with electoral law and enforces the legislation, and maintains readiness to conduct electoral events.
Elections Canada appoints, trains and supports 308 returning officers across Canada, as well as other election officers and temporary election staff in Ottawa. It develops and maintains electoral geography information that provides the basis for preparing maps and other geographic products used during electoral events.
The agency also:
In addition, the agency recommends to Parliament amendments for the better administration of the Canada Elections Act. It does this through the statutory reports of the Chief Electoral Officer after electoral events, as well as through the provision of expert advice when Parliament studies electoral reform.
Ensuring that Canadians can exercise their democratic rights to vote and be a candidate.
An accessible electoral framework that Canadians trust and use.
Elections Canada is headed by the Chief Electoral Officer, who is appointed by resolution of the House of Commons. Reporting directly to Parliament, the Chief Electoral Officer is independent of the federal government and political parties.
The Canada Elections Act gives the Chief Electoral Officer authority to appoint:
The Act provides the statutory framework for the activities of all these office-holders, under the general authority of the Chief Electoral Officer. In the case of returning officers, it also authorizes the Chief Electoral Officer to provide them with instructions as required for the administration of the Act.
In addition, Elections Canada retains the services of 30 field liaison officers. They support the work of returning officers in the field, acting as functional leaders, quality enhancers and troubleshooters.
The diagram on the next page presents the agency's organizational structure and reporting relationships.
Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) – The CEO oversees and is accountable for the whole of Elections Canada. The CEO provides leadership for our internal and external governance, and focuses on maintaining awareness of stakeholders' needs, issues and concerns.
The Chief Electoral Officer's current responsibilities include:
Deputy Chief Electoral Officer, Chief Legal Counsel and Regulatory Affairs (DCEO) – The Chief Electoral Officer is assisted by the Deputy Chief Electoral Officer and Chief Legal Counsel. The DCEO oversees and is accountable for our regulatory activities, programs and policies, in accordance with electoral law.
The Chief Electoral Officer is supported by four senior committees:
As an independent agency of Parliament, the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer is funded by an annual appropriation that provides for the salaries of permanent full-time staff, and by the statutory authority contained in the Canada Elections Act, the Referendum Act and the Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act. The statutory authority provides for all other expenditures, including the costs of electoral events, maintenance of the National Register of Electors, quarterly allowances for eligible registered political parties, redistribution of electoral boundaries, and continuing public information and education programs. There are two further statutory items: the salary of the Chief Electoral Officer and contributions to employee benefit plans.
The statutory authority ensures that Elections Canada has the capacity to be ready at all times to conduct an electoral event. It also serves to recognize Elections Canada's independence from the government and from the influence of political parties. It is a critical component in maintaining the integrity of the democratic process in Canada.
Vote or Statutory Item
|
Truncated Vote or Statutory Wording
|
2008–09
Main Estimates ($ thousands) |
Previous
Main Estimates ($ thousands) |
15 |
Program Expenditures |
22,062 |
21,766 |
(S) |
Salary of the Chief Electoral Officer |
260 |
231 |
(S) |
Expenses of Elections |
84,318 |
78,398 |
(S) |
Contributions to Employee Benefit Plans |
3,861 |
4,027 |
|
Total Agency |
110,501 |
104,422 |
($ thousands)
|
Forecast Spending
2007–08 |
Planned Spending
2008–09 |
Planned Spending
2009–10* |
Planned Spending
2010–11* |
Program Activity: Elections |
104,422 |
110,501 |
110,501 |
110,501 |
Budgetary Main Estimates (gross) |
104,422 |
110,501 |
110,501 |
110,501 |
|
|
|
|
|
Less: Respendable revenue |
– |
– |
– |
– |
Total Main Estimates |
104,422 |
110,501 |
110,501 |
110,501 |
Adjustments |
– |
– |
– |
– |
Supplementary Estimates |
21,125 |
– |
– |
– |
Other |
– |
– |
– |
– |
Total Adjustments |
21,125 |
– |
– |
– |
Total Planned Spending |
125,547 |
110,501 |
110,501 |
110,501 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total Planned Spending |
125,547 |
110,501 |
110,501 |
110,501 |
Less: Non-respendable revenue |
– |
– |
– |
– |
Plus: Cost of services received without charge |
6,369 |
7,077 |
7,104 |
7,132 |
Total Agency Spending |
131,916 |
117,578 |
117,605 |
117,633 |
|
|
|
|
|
Full-Time Equivalents** |
408 |
388 |
388 |
388 |
* The agency's planned spending provided for each fiscal period beyond 2008–09 is an indicator of statutory expenditures that the agency may incur during the year under the Canada Elections Act, the Referendum Act or the Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act. These and additional funds needed to carry out the agency's statutory responsibilities will be drawn under the statutory authority, if necessary.
** Includes both indeterminate and term employees.
Financial Resources ($ thousands) |
||
2008–09 |
2009–10 |
2010–11 |
110,501 |
110,501 |
110,501 |
Human Resources (Full-Time Equivalents) |
||
2008–09 |
2009–10 |
2010–11 |
388 |
388 |
388 |
Elections Canada has four priorities that are linked to the agency's mandate and concern the enduring benefits we provide to Canadians. In addition to these mandated priorities, it has three strategic objectives set out in its Strategic Plan 2008–13; these concern changes sought by the agency to better deliver its mandate.
Mandated Priorities |
Type |
1. Electoral Event Delivery, Political Financing, and Compliance and Enforcement |
Ongoing |
2. Electoral Event Readiness and Improvements |
Ongoing |
3. Public Education, Information and Support for Stakeholders |
Ongoing |
4. Electoral Boundaries Redistribution (required every 10 years) |
Ongoing |
Strategic Objectives |
|
5. Trust |
New |
6. Accessibility |
New |
7. Engagement
|
New |
The agency also recognizes four “enablers” that are essential to the delivery of its priorities: Human Resources, Information Technology, Governance and Communications. Elections Canada is committed to ensuring that these have the resources required to carry out their strategic role in our operations.
The following chart summarizes Elections Canada's four key programs (mandated priorities) that complement our single strategic outcome.
Mandated Priority
|
Expected Results
|
Planned Spending ($ thousands)
|
||
2008–09
|
2009–10
|
2010–11
|
||
1. Electoral Event Delivery, Political Financing, and Compliance and Enforcement |
|
$36,245 |
$36,245 |
$36,245 |
2. Electoral Event Readiness and Improvements |
|
62,799 |
62,799 |
62,799 |
3. Public Education, Information and Support for Stakeholders |
|
11,457 |
11,457 |
11,457 |
4. Electoral Boundaries Redistribution |
|
– |
– |
– |
Achievement of the strategic outcome is supported by specific activities and initiatives undertaken within each of the areas listed.
Elections Canada's plans and priorities for 2008–09 are driven by its four main mandated priorities and its Strategic Plan 2008–13.
The agency's plans and priorities are also influenced by Parliament's legislative initiatives, as well as any requirements to conduct federal elections, by‑elections or referendums. In all cases, the agency must strive for continuous improvement and delivery of high-quality service to Canadians.
In fall 2007, Elections Canada completed the development of a strategic plan to guide its activities through 2013. The purpose of this plan is to:
The strategic plan identifies four enablers that will support achievement of our strategic objectives: Human Resources, Information Technology, Governance and Communications. The enablers will each be the focus of long-term action plans. The start of the implementation of these plans will also be a high priority in 2008–09.
Elections Canada must be ready at all times to deliver an electoral event, whether it is a general election, by‑election or referendum. At the same time, we seek to improve the management and administration of the electoral process. Our planning takes into account proposed amendments to electoral legislation under consideration by Parliament. For many of these bills, the Chief Electoral Officer is called to appear before the relevant committee of the House of Commons and/or Senate. The agency prepares an analysis of the proposed changes, and plans for their implementation if the bills are adopted.
A number of significant legislative changes have recently been adopted by Parliament, or are being considered by the House of Commons or Senate. The legislation, both enacted and proposed, is expected to have an impact on the current electoral process and the administration of electoral events. We will continue to monitor the changes that enacted bills bring to the electoral process; inform the Advisory Committee of Political Parties and report to Parliament and other stakeholders; and make recommendations as required to strengthen and facilitate the electoral process.
Recently enacted legislation with an impact on our business |
Bill C-2, Federal Accountability Act (S.C. 2006, c. 9) |
Bill C-16, An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act (S.C. 2007, c. 10) |
Bill C-31, An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act and the Public Service Employment Act (S.C. 2007, c. 21) |
Bill C-18, An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act (verification of residence) (S.C. 2007, c. 37) |
Government bills currently before Parliament with a potential impact on our business |
Bill C-6, An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act (visual identification of voters) |
Bill C-16, An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act (expanded voting opportunities) and to make a consequential amendment to the Referendum Act (amended by the House of Commons Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs) |
Bill C-20, An Act to provide for consultations with electors on their preferences for appointments to the Senate |
Bill C-22, An Act to amend the Constitution Act, 1867 (Democratic representation) |
Bill C-29, An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act (accountability with respect to loans) |
Private members' bills currently before Parliament with a potential impact on our business |
Bill C-203, An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act (telephone, fax and Internet service to campaign offices) |
Bill C-318, An Act to provide for a House of Commons committee to study proportional representation in federal elections |
Bill C-329, An Act to amend the Referendum Act (reform of the electoral system of Canada) |
Bill C-341, An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act (military dependants) |
Bill C-353, An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act (date of general election) |
Bill C-419, An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act (closed captioning) This bill would prohibit any person from transmitting an election advertising message to the public by means of a television or Internet broadcast unless the broadcast contains closed captioning for the hearing impaired. |
Bill C-465, An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act (identity of electors) |
In addition, there are 10 private members’ bills currently before Parliament that would amend the names of certain electoral districts.
In its electoral planning and delivery, the agency must also take into account judicial decisions and proceedings that may affect electoral legislation.
Recent decision |
Longley v. Canada (Attorney General) |
Ongoing proceedings |
Sa Tan v. Her Majesty The Queen |
Rose Henry et al. v. Canada (Attorney General) |
Until recently, Canada's parliamentary system did not specify the length of time between federal general elections.1 On May 3, 2007, Bill C-16, An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act, received royal assent. The legislation provides that, unless the House of Commons is dissolved earlier, an election must be held on the third Monday in October every four years. Despite this new provision, the length of Elections Canada's business cycle continues to vary in the ongoing situation of minority governments. The uncertainty makes planning a challenge. We must continually monitor parliamentary and political events and trends; this is necessary for us to take into account circumstances that might affect our electoral readiness and preparations for electoral events.
Maintaining a constant state of heightened readiness imposes a strain on the organization. The pressure has been greater because of the succession of minority governments, the increased volume of work resulting from closely spaced general elections, recent far-reaching electoral reform and further proposed significant changes to the electoral process.
For the present, Elections Canada has responded to increased requirements by using temporary personnel and contractors and by making greater demands of its core staff. While these measures provide short-term solutions, they are not sustainable strategies over time. Already the agency faces challenges in attracting and retaining employees, and allowing sufficient time for their training. We are also concerned about the turnover of personnel in key positions. These factors limit our capacity to take on additional work resulting from electoral events and further electoral reforms.
We are therefore looking at ways to augment our organizational capacity – especially in areas where we rely on temporary employees and contractors – so that we can offer political entities responsive service, continue meeting statutory deadlines and provide for timely enforcement of the Act.
Investments are also needed now to renew our information technology infrastructure; we had no choice but to stretch its lifespan to meet our ongoing readiness goals in the situation of minority governments. The existing IT environment has reached the limits of its capability and cannot be augmented further to meet new requirements. This affects every aspect of the IT environment. To address this risk, an IT renewal project has begun and will, over a period of years, replace our current infrastructure with one better suited to our needs. The project will:
The timely renewal of IT infrastructure is also essential to our organizational capacity and our ability to meet the future service demands of our employees, the Canadian public, Parliament and other stakeholders.