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Expenditure Management

Reports on Plans and Priorities

2012-13

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ARCHIVED - Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada - Report


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Section II - Analysis of Program Activities by Strategic Outcome(s)

Strategic outcome 1: Canada's International Agenda

The international agenda is shaped to Canada's benefit and advantage in accordance with Canadian interests and values.

Program Activity: International Policy Advice and Integration

Program Activity Description

DFAIT draws upon its expertise at missions and Headquarters to establish integrated and coherent foreign policy and international trade priorities, and to provide information, intelligence and advice to ministers, senior officials and key partners to support informed decisions that advance Canadian values and interests internationally.3

Financial Resources ($ millions)


Human Resources (FTEs)




Planning Highlights

The role of country strategies will be enhanced to provide government-wide focus and accountability for transforming Canada's relations with key partners and commercial markets. These strategies will identify potential for economic growth, strengthened trading relationships and effective contributions to international security and stability, and set clear objectives for advancing our relations with these countries.

The department will provide evidence-based, coherent, integrated and prioritized policy research, planning and advice, to ensure that ministers, senior management, other government departments and Canadian stakeholders are able to implement their international policy priorities.

Effective policy formulation will be promoted by developing a medium- and longer-term international policy research agenda, developing policy dialogues with traditional and non-traditional partners, and by implementing an open-policy development model.

The department will ensure that Canadian aid policy remains effective, accountable and aligned with Canadian priorities through effective management of Canada's International Assistance Envelope.

The department will work closely with partner departments to develop mechanisms to increase collaboration and implement solutions that will address the current challenges of visa policies and procedures to Canada's international competitiveness, while respecting the priorities, mandates and resource constraints of partner departments.

Program Activity: Diplomacy and Advocacy

Program Activity Description

DFAIT uses diplomacy, advocacy, and program delivery, informed by consultations with domestic stakeholders, to engage and influence international players in order to advance Canadian interests and values5.

Financial Resources ($ millions)


Human Resources (FTEs)




Theme II: Maintaining Water Quality and Availability

Planning Highlights

Diversifying trade through expanded market access

In accordance with the Global Commerce Strategy, the department will contribute to Canada's prosperity by improving market access for Canadian exporters, investors and innovators. Plans include:

  • concluding a Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement with the European Union in 2012;
  • setting conditions for the conclusion of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with India in 2013;
  • conducting a multi-faceted advocacy campaign seeking to secure Canadian participation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership;
  • advancing the trade and economic partnership with China, including completion of an economic complementarities study and the initiation of exploratory discussions on deepening the trade relationship;
  • advancing trade and investment interests with Japan, through negotiations towards a free trade agreement;
  • re-engaging with South Korea when there is a reasonable prospect for concluding the free trade agreement negotiations;
  • conducting exploratory trade talks with MERCOSUR;
  • concluding a Foreign Investment Protection and Promotion Agreement with Mongolia;
  • advancing a range of other bilateral and multilateral trade negotiations, including foreign investment protection and air services agreements.

DFAIT will defend Canadian interests in international dispute-settlement mechanisms, including investor-state dispute settlement and World Trade Organization litigation. It will also negotiate dispute resolution and compliance mechanisms for treaties such as the Canada-European Union and Canada-India trade agreements.

To ensure that Canada's trade agenda is informed and supported, where possible, by provincial, territorial and municipal governments and the private sector, DFAIT will undertake stakeholder consultations supported by:

  • outreach initiatives by the Minister of International Trade, senior managers, and Canadian heads of mission; and
  • joint activities in areas of shared interests, including advocacy, trade negotiations, investment attraction and international business development programs.

Promoting Democracy, Human Rights, Security and the Rule of Law

DFAIT will work to enhance human rights governance by ensuring that egregious human rights violations are adequately addressed, and that an enhanced focus is placed on religious freedom through the launch the operations of a Canadian Office of Religious Freedom.

Canadian peace and security interests in evolving leaders' summitry, G8 foreign ministers' meetings, and NATO and other global institutions will be advanced through active engagement and diplomacy that focus on results, accountability and effective burden sharing.

The security and stability of fragile states will be strengthened through policy and program support, including Canadian whole-of-government civilian deployments and responses to humanitarian crises, including natural disasters.

The department will support democratic transitions and respect for human rights following the Arab Awakening through bilateral and multilateral advocacy, capacity-building initiatives, and other Canadian programming.

DFAIT will continue to address international security challenges such as transnational crime, terrorism, WMD proliferation, and illegal migration through targeted and effective use of programs and the provision of whole-of-government and international leadership in bilateral, regional and multilateral forums.

Advancing Regional Interests

The Hemisphere

The department will reinforce the Canada-U.S. relationship through whole-of-government programs and advocacy initiatives, including:

  • enhancing bilateral trade and investment, including support for the implementation of the Canada-U.S. Shared Vision for Perimeter Security and Economic Competitiveness;
  • deepening the commercial relationship with the United States through enhanced advocacy and management of trade irritants and promoting Canada as a stable source of energy; and
  • managing agreements and trade issues, such as the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement and the Detroit River International Crossing.

More broadly, Canada's engagement and influence in the Americas will be advanced by:

  • addressing security and rule-of-law challenges through expanded cooperation and targeted programming, including capacity building, with a focus on Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean, including Haiti;
  • deepening Canada's bilateral relationships and intensifying efforts to strengthen the Organization of American States so that it remains the primary multilateral organization in the hemisphere; and
  • deepening commercial engagement and investment interests in the Americas, with a particular focus on Brazil.

Asia-Pacific

In addition to the ambitious market access agenda outlined above, Canada's influence in the Asia-Pacific will be enhanced through high-level visits and engagement that promote deepened bilateral relations with key Asian nations on prosperity, security and shared values, notably participation in the Canada-Japan peace and security framework and deepened regional cooperation on security and stability on the Korean Peninsula.

DFAIT will seek to advance Canadian interests by reinforcing the regional and multilateral rules-based order in the Asia-Pacific region, with a focus on resource security, nuclear non-proliferation, anti-terrorism cooperation, human rights, and democratic governance.

Europe

DFAIT will implement targeted advocacy and outreach initiatives to increase support among key EU institutions and member states for the successful conclusion and eventual ratification of the Canada-EU CETA and the Canada-EU Strategic Partnership Agreement.

Effective advocacy and collaboration in the areas of energy and environment, democracy and human rights, and the Arctic will reinforce the bilateral and multilateral relationships between Canada and Europe.

Middle East

The Middle East Peace Process will be supported by a principled Canadian approach that respects Israel's right to security and full participation in the multilateral system while providing political advocacy for a two-state solution.

The department will enhance support for democratic transitions and the stability of fragile and vulnerable states following the Arab Awakening through bilateral and multilateral advocacy initiatives, capacity-building initiatives, and other Canadian programming.

Africa

In sub-Saharan Africa, the department will promote the Canadian values of freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law, and advance regional security and stability through targeted contributions to good governance as well as the management and coordination of emerging crises and security vulnerabilities.

Bilateral political and commercial relations with emerging partners will be enhanced through targeted engagement, including high-level exchanges, consultations and advocacy initiatives.

Advancing Canadian interests in the Arctic

The department will advance Canada's Arctic foreign policy, in support of the Northern Strategy, by:

  • preparing Canada's submission to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf in 2013;
  • seeking to resolve Arctic maritime boundary issues, including securing international recognition for the full extent of Canada's extended continental shelf; and
  • strengthening the operations and policy role of the Arctic Council in the lead up to Canada's chairing of the Arctic Council (2013-15).

Protocol

The department will maintain high levels of client satisfaction and effective delivery of protocol services provided to the Prime Minister, Governor General, five portfolio ministers, and the foreign diplomatic corps accredited to Canada through improved efficiency and financial accountability and the implementation of recommendations from evaluations conducted by the Inspector General.

Strategic outcome 2: International Services for Canadians

Canadians are satisfied with commercial, consular and passport services.

Program Activity: International Commerce

Program Activity Description

This program activity delivers commercial services and advice to Canadian business and supports their pursuit of international business opportunities7.

Financial Resources ($ millions)


Human Resources (FTEs)




Planning Highlights

In accordance with the department's Global Commerce Strategy's focus on key markets and high-growth economies such as China, India and Brazil, the department will:

  • work to enable the global success of trade commissioner clients through collaboration with portfolio partners, sector-specific capacity building and program delivery;
  • promote two-way investment and innovation and initiatives to support small- and medium-sized enterprises; and
  • continue to implement a sector-based approach to commercial engagement that emphasizes industry priorities guided by public-private sector consultation.

DFAIT will improve the Trade Commissioner Service's ability to respond rapidly to the rise of emerging economies and to seize shifting commercial global opportunities through improved client service, enhanced performance measurement and continued alignment of resources against TCS priorities.

The department will review the Global Commerce Strategy, ensuring that Canada is branded in a way that is most advantageous to our trade objectives in target markets.

DFAIT will deliver initiatives in the areas of trade and investment, infrastructure and transportation, resources and energy, international science and technology partnerships, education and immigration procedures, to better position the Canadian economy to benefit from an ascendant Asian economy, in particular India, China and regional Global Commerce Strategy countries.

Market access and opportunities for Canadian firms operating in the United States and Mexico will be facilitated through business development engagement on issues of federal and state legislation.

The department will deliver an outreach campaign directed at key business decision-makers in the United States and, building on the model established during the Vancouver Olympics, will leverage the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London to increase foreign investors' knowledge and awareness of investment opportunities in Canada.

DFAIT will ensure that legislative and international security obligations to control trade in specific goods and technologies are met through the timely issuance of export permits and the effective maintenance of other export control measures.

Program Activity: Consular Services and Emergency Management

Program Activity Description

This program activity manages and delivers consular services and advice to Canadians and provides a coordinated Government of Canada response to emergencies abroad affecting Canadians9.

Financial Resources ($ millions)


Human Resources (FTEs)




Planning Highlights

DFAIT will work to ensure that Canadians are better prepared for international travel through the provision of up-to-date travel information, improvements to the consular website and increased outreach activities.

Consular and emergency management services to Canadians will be improved through:

  • an enhanced emergency-preparedness network, including an expanded training and exercise program with partner departments and like-minded countries;
  • improved coordination and oversight of threat assessments, training and sharing of best practices across consular, security and emergency-management centres in DFAIT and with partner departments;
  • the leveraging of domestic and international partnerships to strengthen the international legal and policy framework for consular affairs; and
  • improved policies and procedures.

Program Activity: Passport Canada

Program Activity Description

This program activity is responsible for the issuing, refusing, revoking, withholding, recovering and use of Canadian passports. The program enables the issuance of secure travel documents to Canadians, which facilitates their travel and contributes to international and domestic security. This program activity manages and delivers passport services through the Passport Canada Revolving Fund.11

Financial Resources ($ millions)


Human Resources (FTEs)




Planning Highlights

DFAIT will complete the design, testing and deployment of the new 10-year ePassport in 2012-13, which will enhance the security of the Canadian travel document.

To improve passport services to Canadians in Canada and abroad, DFAIT will finalize the fee structure to support the 10-year ePassport and the new service offering.

The department will strengthen national workload management tools and enhance identity verification and entitlement procedures to improve passport services.

Strategic outcome 3: Canada's International Platform

DFAIT maintains a mission network of infrastructure and services to enable the Government of Canada to achieve its international priorities.

Program Activity: Governance, strategic direction and common service delivery

Program Activity Description

This program activity governs, provides strategic direction and leadership, manages change, delivers services and provides infrastructure to the mission platform13.

Financial Resources ($ millions)


Human Resources (FTEs)




Planning Highlights

DFAIT will ensure the delivery of common services in accordance with agreed standards that support Government of Canada programs abroad, through the assessment of performance metrics and client feedback and will make adjustments as required.

Risks to the safety and security of Canadian government personnel and assets abroad (infrastructure/physical and information) will be mitigated through the development and implementation of enhanced security and emergency management measures, policies, practices and training, and improved coordination and oversight of threat assessments.

Program Activity: Government of Canada Benefits

Program Activity Description

This program activity is the vehicle through which the department and central agencies manage statutory payments to Government of Canada employees abroad (Canada-based staff and locally engaged staff)15.

Financial Resources ($ millions)


Human Resources (FTEs)




Planning Highlights

The department will ensure timely and accurate Government of Canada benefits payments are delivered to compensate Canada-based staff and locally engaged staff abroad through effective risk management, governance and oversight of foreign service directives and LES pension, insurance and social security programs.

Internal Services

The internal services program activity provides the essential support functions that enable DFAIT to carry out its mandate, including governance and management support; resource management services and asset management services17.

Financial Resources ($ millions)


Human Resources (FTEs)


Planning Highlights

Governance and management support

DFAIT will continue to improve business planning, resource alignment, and risk management by updating the department's performance measurement framework, developing improved integrated planning tools and refining risk-management practices.

Decision making will be supported by legal advice on international trade and commercial policies and on issues such as Arctic sovereignty, international criminal law, treaty law and economic sanctions.

High-quality legal services and advice will be provided, including support to international negotiations and agreements and the management of legal risks, to ensure that Canada's domestic legal regime is consistent with its international obligations.

DFAIT will deliver improved values and ethics training and advisory services, investigate disclosures of wrongdoing, and harassment allegations in order to increase awareness of and compliance with the Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector, the Code of Conduct for Canadian Representatives Abroad, and the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act.

Access to mission inspection recommendations, program evaluations, recipient audits, proactive monitoring and forensic investigations will be enhanced to enable senior management to make more informed decisions on policies, programs and operations.

The department will maintain its improved access to information and privacy protection (ATIP) performance by ensuring sufficient capacity is in place to meet ATIP legislative and TBS policy requirements, as well as through activities associated with open government initiatives and ATIP modernization.

Awareness of foreign affairs and international trade priorities, policies and programs will be increased among internal clients, governmental partners, and Canadian and international audiences by providing a mix of traditional and innovative communications services, tools and products.

The department's risk-based audit plan, which will focus on the department's highest risks and support the achievement of the department's priorities, will be informed by extensive consultations with senior management and the internal audit function.

DFAIT will sustain the information management and information technology program and infrastructure that support operations through the strengthened integration of departmental IM/IT planning, governance, project oversight and risk management, in cooperation with Shared Services Canada.

Resource management services

DFAIT will enhance the quality of consular, emergency management, security and common services provided by management consular officers through improved community training, governance and management.

Managers will be provided with advice to advance official languages in the workplace and improve services to the public, address departmental employment equity gaps, improve staffing and address departmental results from the Public Service Employee Survey through the through the development and monitoring of:

  • an official languages action plan;
  • an employment equity action plan;
  • alignment with the office of the Chief Human Resources Officer's common human resources processes;
  • the implementation of the "Click, Contact, Consult" (CCC) service delivery model, which includes a client service survey;
  • a Public Service Commission staffing audit action plan; and,
  • a 2011 Public Service employmee survey results action plan.

DFAIT will improve department-wide financial management by:

  • providing senior management with timely and accurate strategic financial information and guidance in order to optimize in-year and future-year budget management;
  • continuing implementation of the CFO model, including standardization of the financial management advisor (FMA) structure; and
  • activating CFO accountability for procurement and materiel management, including governance, procurement planning and risk management.

The department will encourage prudent use of public resources through effective and efficient accounting, reporting, control and oversight, improved processes for global banking, and further implementation of the Standard Payment System to strengthen stewardship at missions and further improvements in internal control to comply with TBS policy.

DFAIT will mitigate financial risks associated with resource transfers to Shared Services Canada by incorporating recommendations of completed internal audits, and by providing strategic financial advice, analysis and support to senior management to implement specific initiatives and to the Resource Management Committee to ensure financial oversight.

Asset management services

Progress will be achieved in meeting Government of Canada accommodation standards through an integrated departmental long-term accommodation strategy, including the leveraging of innovative office approaches, identification of tenant opportunities and alignment with Public Works and Government Services Canada asset management plans.



Date Modified: 2012-05-08
 
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