[ Backgrounder ]
For immediate release
October 31, 2005
OTTAWA - The Honourable Reg Alcock, President of the Treasury Board and Minister
responsible for the Canadian Wheat Board, today tabled in the House of Commons
the 2004-05 Departmental Performance Reports (DPRs) for 90 Government of
Canada departments and agencies.
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. They play a key role in
the cycle of planning, monitoring, evaluating and reporting of results through
ministers to Parliament and by extension to Canadians.
"Canadians need to have confidence in the government's performance. In
that context, departments and agencies are expected to deliver reports that are
focused on results," said Minister Alcock. "Departmental Performance
Reports are the primary instruments of accountability to Canadians and their
continued improvements as part of the reporting process continues to be an
important element of the government's agenda."
Departmental Performance Reports help ensure that government management
is transparent, citizen-focused, values-driven and committed to responsible
spending of taxpayer dollars.
The reports, including supporting documents, are available on the Treasury
Board of Canada Secretariat's Web site at http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/est-pre/estime.asp
- 30 -
For more information, contact:
Lise Jolicoeur
Press Secretary
Office of the President of the Treasury Board
of Canada 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.