Raison d’être, mandate and role
Raison d’être, mandate and role: who we are and what we do Raison d’être The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs is responsible for this organization. The Canadian Intergovernmental Conference Secretariat (CICS), established pursuant to an agreement reached at the May 1973 First Ministers’ Conference, is an agency of the federal, provincial and territorial governments. Its mandate is to provide administrative support and planning services for intergovernmental conferences of First Ministers, Ministers and Deputy Ministers. These intergovernmental conferences are a key instrument for consultation and negotiation among the different orders of government and assist in the development of national and/or provincial/territorial policies. They are a critical component of the workings of the Canadian federation and represent a core principle of our democratic society. By skillfully executing the logistical planning and delivery of these meetings, CICS not only relieves governments of the administrative process burden but also allows them to greatly benefit from significant cost efficiencies and economies of scale. Mandate and role The mandate of the Secretariat is to support federal, provincial and territorial governments in the planning and conduct of senior level intergovernmental conferences held across Canada. The primary objective of CICS is to relieve client departments of the numerous technical and administrative tasks associated with the planning and conduct of multilateral conferences, thereby enabling participants to concentrate on substantive intergovernmental policy issues. CICS provides continuous, effective, impartial administrative services to these meetings. Benefits for Canadians The planning and conduct of multilateral meetings of First Ministers, Ministers and Deputy Ministers is a critical component of the workings of the Canadian federation. By skillfully and professionally planning and delivering services at these meetings, CICS allows governments to discuss important issues without getting distracted by process. The risk of error and omission is significantly mitigated by tapping into the Secretariat’s experience and impartiality. The interests of all Canadians are represented by their elected governments participating in these intergovernmental conferences. As an institution dedicated to supporting events that give rise to, and support the spirit of cooperation and negotiation among governments, CICS seeks to execute its role to maximum effect, creating an environment conducive to productive discourse and optimal decision-making, to the benefit of all Canadians. Federal, provincial and territorial governments greatly benefit from significant cost efficiencies and economies of scale through the use of CICS. This is particularly relevant in the current fiscal environment.
by Mario Giasson
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Sustainable Development Strategy
Section 1: Context for the Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy Although the Canadian Intergovernmental Conference Secretariat (CICS) is not bound by the Federal Sustainable Development Act and is not required to develop a full departmental sustainable development strategy, the CICS adheres to the principles of the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) by implementing the Policy on Green Procurement. The Policy on Green Procurement supports the Government of Canada’s effort to promote environmental stewardship. In keeping with the objectives of the policy, the CICS supports sustainable development by integrating environmental performance considerations into the procurement decision‑making process through the actions described in the “FSDS goal: low-carbon government” table in section 3. Section 2: Sustainable Development in the Canadian Intergovernmental Conference Secretariat CICS supports federal, provincial and territorial governments in the planning and conduct of senior level intergovernmental conferences held across Canada, which is a critical component of the workings of the Canadian federation. The interests of all Canadians are represented by their elected governments participating in these intergovernmental conferences. As an institution dedicated to supporting events that give rise to, and support the spirit of cooperation and negotiation among governments, CICS seeks to execute its role to maximum effect, creating an environment conducive to productive discourse and optimal decision-making and promoting a sustainable development culture, to the benefit of all Canadians. The CICS is a small organization of about 32 people. All of our employees are located at our headquarters in Ottawa. The focus of the CICS’s Sustainable Development Strategy is to take small but effective steps to contribute to the greening of government. Section 3: Commitments for the CICS FSDS goal: low-carbon government Low-Carbon Government FSDS target FSDS contributing action(s) Action(s) Contribution to the FSDS goal and target Performance indicators Core Responsibilities Reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions from federal government buildings and fleets by 40% below 2005 levels by 2030, with an aspiration to achieve it by 2025. Support the transition to a low‑carbon economy through green procurement. Environmentally responsible acquisition, use and disposal of goods and services. Green procurement incorporates environmental considerations into purchasing decisions and is expected to motivate suppliers to green their goods, services and supply chain. Departmental approach to further the implementation of the Policy on Green Procurement in place as of April 1, 2014. Targeted Performance Level : March 31, 2019 Number and percentage of procurement and/or materiel management specialists who have completed the Canada School of Public Service Green Procurement course (C215) or equivalent, in the given fiscal year. Number: 1; Percentage: 100% Number and percentage of managers and functional heads of procurement and materiel whose performance evaluation includes support and contribution toward green procurement, in the given fiscal year. Number: 1; Percentage: 100% Intergovernmental Conference Services Management Processes and Controls CICS will maximize the use of PWGSC procurement instruments such as standing offers and supply arrangements. CICS will continue to review and […]
by Mario Giasson
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Gender Based Analysis Plus
Gender-based analysis plus General information Governance structures Not applicable The Canadian Intergovernmental Conference Secretariat’s (CICS) only program is to provide continuity of planning and archival services and impartial administrative support, for federal-provincial-territorial (FPT) and provincial-territorial (PT) conferences of first ministers, ministers and deputy ministers, throughout Canada. CICS does not work directly with the public; it works in close collaboration with the clients which are other federal, provincial and territorial government departments. CICS is called upon to respond to decisions taken by governments to meet on key national or specific issues. Decisions concerning the location of such meetings, content and participants, are all factors beyond the control of the Secretariat. Human resources Not applicable GBA+ is deemed not applicable to CICS’ activities and responsibilities. As such, there will be no FTEs dedicated to the GBA+ implementation. Planned initiatives Not applicable GBA+ is deemed not applicable to CICS’ activities and responsibilities. As such, there will be no major initiatives where GBA+ will be applied and monitored. Reporting capacity and data Not applicable GBA+ is deemed not applicable to CICS’ activities and responsibilities. As such, no data is being collected.
by Mario Giasson
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