Operating context and key risks 2018-19
Operating context and key risks Operating context The fall 2015 federal election marked the beginning of a new era in intergovernmental relations. The current federal administration, sworn in on November 4, 2015, framed its priorities with an increased focus on federal-provincial-territorial relations. This commitment, along with the return of the annual First Ministers’ Meetings has led to an increase in intergovernmental conferences of all types and we anticipate the trend to continue into 2018-19. Security is a prevalent topic in the current environment. Whether physical or IT-related, the culture is one of hyper-awareness. Security is embedded into CICS policy frameworks, day-to-day operations and employee behaviours. The Secretariat will continue to ensure that security mechanisms and resources are planned, efficient and effective, as well as in line with government policies. There are seven anticipated elections over the next two years at the provincial-territorial level. As new governments come to power and others are re-elected, it is important for CICS to strengthen its relationship with our clients and actively market the organization as a neutral intergovernmental agency. Communication efforts should be ongoing in order to sustain and even increase the number of intergovernmental conferences we serve. Number of virtual conferences served (tele- and video) 2013-14: 3 2014-15: 20 2015-16: 42 2016-17: 48 2017-18 (as at February 1): 50 It continues to be a time of fiscal restraint for all governments and these realities do have an impact on our organization. More than ever federal, provincial and territorial governments are modernizing, seeking efficiencies wherever possible, reducing travel and exploring the use of new technologies. Since introducing virtual conferencing as a service in fiscal year 2013-14, CICS has experienced a drastic increase in demand, specifically for virtual teleconferences. Our agency is proud to continue to offer a wide array of conference solutions that respond to the evolving needs of our clients. In a micro-agency, even a small number of employee departures has the potential to impact operations. As such, carrying out meaningful succession and transition plans which include conserving corporate memory will continue to be a critical strategic priority. Retention of young, ambitious and motivated staff creates a unique challenge for a micro agency such as CICS due to employees’ limited upward mobility within such a small organization. The agency now makes use of the Federal Student Work Exchange Program across all divisions on a regular basis to encourage interest in the public service. Sustained efforts will be exerted to maintain and improve employee retention by creating an environment conducive to career development and job satisfaction. Key risks Risks Risk response strategy Link to the department’s Core Responsibilities Link to departmental priorities Human Resource Management There is a risk that the organization will be unable tosustain an adequate workforce with the appropriate competencies due to a large turnover of staff (retirements & departures, provincial-territorial secondment rotations, peak period staffing), resulting in potential errors, client dissatisfaction, and loss of confidence in the organization. CICS plans to continue mitigating this risk through the implementation of its Human […]
by Thomas Walsh
Read more »
Raison d’être, mandate and role
Raison d’être, mandate and role: who we are and what we do Raison d’être The President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada 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 Thomas Walsh
Read more »
2018-19 Departmental Plan
View as: The Honourable Scott Brison Acting President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada Acting Minister of Democratic Institutions ISSN 2371-8234 CE31-6E-PDF Table of Contents Minister’s Message Plans at a glance Planned results: what we want to achieve this year and beyond Core Responsibility Intergovernmental Conference Services Internal Services Spending and human resources Planned spending Planned human resources Estimates by vote Future-Oriented Condensed Statement of Operations Supplementary information Corporate information Organizational profile Raison d’être, mandate and role Operating context and key risks Reporting framework Supporting information on the Program Inventory Supplementary information tables Federal tax expenditures Organizational contact information Appendix: Definitions Endnotes Minister’s Message As Acting President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada, I am pleased to table the Canadian Intergovernmental Conference Secretariat’s (CICS) Departmental Plan for fiscal year 2018-19. Our government made a commitment to Canadians to pursue our goals with a renewed sense of collaboration. Improved partnerships with provincial and territorial governments are essential to deliver the real, positive change that we promised Canadians. In this regard, the multilateral intergovernmental conference continues to be a key component of Canadian federalism. It is an instrument for consultation and coordination among federal, provincial and territorial governments. Through its unique program and mandate, CICS provides professional administrative services for the planning and conduct of federal-provincial-territorial and provincial-territorial conferences of First Ministers, Ministers and Deputy Ministers. During fiscal year 2018-19, the agency will continue to adapt its service delivery model so that it remains client-focused and responsive to the current environment. The Honourable Scott Brison Acting President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada Acting Minister of Democratic Institutions Plans at a glance The Canadian Intergovernmental Conference Secretariat (CICS) is fully committed to delivering quality, cost-effective conference services to federal, provincial and territorial governments. Our impartiality, commitment to official languages, expertise in service delivery and our 45 year history make us the conference service provider of choice for senior level intergovernmental conferences. We are committed to maintaining this unique status. Over the next year, the Secretariat’s priorities will focus on: enhancing and expanding strategic partnerships; ensuring our services continue to respond to client needs; maintaining the effective use of resources; and cultivating a continuous learning environment for our employees. Highlighted below are a few of our key initiatives planned for 2018-19: Continue to help improve the effectiveness and efficiency of intergovernmental meetings through the implementation of new technologies As with the federal government, provincial and territorial governments are modernizing, seeking efficiencies wherever possible, reducing travel and exploring the use of new technologies. CICS is proud to continue to offer a wide array of conference solutions that respond to these needs. In 2018-19, CICS will proactively connect with intergovernmental stakeholders and encourage the use of new technologies in conference service delivery. This initiative supports our priority on enhancing and expanding strategic partnerships. Analyze program evaluation results to determine service improvements In 2018-19, client surveys of both planners and conference delegates will continue to be carried out with a target satisfaction rate […]
by Thomas Walsh
Read more »