For immediate release October 28, 2004 Ottawa - Reg Alcock, President of the Treasury Board, today tabled in the House of Commons, Departmental Performance Reports (DPRs) for 90 Government of Canada departments and agencies. "Departmental Performance Reports help to ensure that government management is citizen-focused, value-driven, results-oriented and committed to responsible spending, said Minister Alcock. "DPRs are one of the primary instruments of accountability to Parliament, and by extension to Canadians." Departmental Performance Reports are a part of the Estimates process which provides documentation to support the government's request to Parliament to spend public funds as outlined in the government's expenditure plan, Main Estimates and departmental expenditure plans. Departmental Performance Reports outline the accomplishments of individual departments and agencies against the commitments they made earlier in their respective Reports on Plans and Priorities. DPRs play a key role in the cycle of government planning, monitoring, evaluating and reporting of results to Parliament and the Canadian public. The reports tabled today are for the year that ended March 31, 2004. The reports, including supporting documents, are available on the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat's Web site at http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca. - 30 - For more information, contact: Lise Jolicoeur Press Secretary Office of the President of the Treasury Board and Minister responsible for the Canadian Wheat Board (613) 957-2666 Robert Makichuk Media Relations Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (613) 957-2391 If there is a discrepancy between any printed version and the electronic version of this news release, the electronic version will prevail. TTY (Telecommunications device for the hearing impaired) - (613) 957-9090 Backgrounder Overview of the Departmental Performance Report Process The Government of Canada sets out its broad spending plans and priorities for the upcoming year in its annual Budget. Departmental spending plans are based on the priorities and initiatives outlined in the Budget and are reflected in the Estimates that are tabled in Parliament for approval. The Estimates contain information in support of budgetary and non-budgetary spending authorities that will be sought through Supply Bills. The Main Estimates consist of three parts: (1) the Government Expenditure Plan which provides an overview of federal spending; (2) the Main Estimates which identify the spending authorities and amounts to be included in appropriation bills in order for the government to proceed with its spending plans; and (3) Departmental Expenditure Plans which are divided into two components - the Reports on Plans and Priorities and Departmental Performance Reports. Departmental Performance Reports are tabled in Parliament by the President of the Treasury Board on behalf of the Ministers who preside over the departments and agencies identified in Schedules I, I.1 and II of the Financial Administration Act. Crown corporations do not produce Departmental Performance Reports. They report separately to Parliament through their annual reports. The financial information presented in the Departmental Performance Reports deals with actual expenditures that are reflected in Public Accounts. The financial information is linked to a department's or agency's strategic outcome, priorities, programs, services and results. The additional detail and special reporting requirements are the same as those for the Reports on Plans and Priorities. Departmental Performance Reports provide Members of Parliament and Canadians with an account of how departments and agencies perform against commitments identified in their Reports on Plans and Priorities. The Reports on Plans and Priorities were tabled on October 8, 2004.
