Operating Context 2022-23
Although videoconferencing remained popular throughout 2022-23, the lifting of the latest travel restrictions related to COVID-19 resulted in a return to face-to-face conferences; the vast majority of which were in fact hybrid meetings. As this type of conference requires additional human and technical resources, hybrid conferencing resulted in an increase of costs. This was compounded by a significant inflation in prices which increased the average cost of in-person events from approximately $27,000 in 2019-20 to approximately $42,700 in 2022-23; This represents a 58% increase in costs over a period of just two years. This considerable increase in costs has had a serious impact on CICS’ ability to financially support the numerous conference requests it received. Throughout the year and despite the financial challenges outlined above, the Agency demonstrated its capacity to respond, often on short notice, to the very high demand for services, ensuring that they remained relevant, forward-looking and of the highest quality. CICS was able to successfully serve 44 videoconferences and 37 in-person conferences, for a total of 81 events. Throughout the fiscal year 2022-23, CICS tested and implemented a series of innovations that created efficiencies and enhanced service delivery related to conference services. The most impactful innovation was the introduction of remote interpretation services. The significant demand for interpretation services required that CICS strengthen its network of private sector interpretation and audiovisual suppliers. The Agency tested audiovisual service companies to ensure they had the equipment and technical skills to support remote interpretation. The implementation of remote interpretation has led to significant cost savings, and CICS now offers remote interpretation services for all in-person and virtual conferences, when possible. In 2022-23, CICS continued to mitigate the risk that the organization would be unable to sustain an adequate workforce with the appropriate competencies due to a large turnover of staff (attributed to retirements and departures, provincial-territorial secondment rotations, and peak period staffing). CICS mitigated this risk by implementing staffing strategies to enable the continued staffing of key positions, including career development opportunities, staffing pools, taking advantage of the Federal Student Work Experience Program, and implementing temporary staffing actions to ensure prompt staffing at peak intervals. CICS also continued to promote job rotations, as the lean nature of a micro-agency emphasizes the need for an agile and multi-skilled workforce.
by Aaron Lampole
Read more »
Response to parliamentary committees and external audits
Response to parliamentary committees There were no parliamentary committee reports requiring a response in 2022-23. Response to audits conducted by the Office of the Auditor General of Canada (including audits conducted by the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development) There were no audits in 2022–23 requiring a response. Response to audits conducted by the Public Service Commission of Canada or the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages There were no audits in 2022–23 requiring a response.
by Aaron Lampole
Read more »
United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals
Canadian Intergovernmental Conference Secretariat UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2022‒23 Planned initiatives Associated domestic targets or “ambitions” and/or global targets 2022‒23 Results SDG 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries CICS is taking action to combat racism and discrimination in all its forms. This is being achieved by investing in and promoting learning and training opportunities on diversity, inclusion and unconscious bias for its personnel. In addition to training employees, CICS has implemented operational changes, including new recruitment strategies that target the elimination of unconscious bias through the staffing process with the goal of fostering a rich and representative workforce. CICS also adheres to the spirit of the new Procurement Strategy for Indigenous Business (PSIB), which will become effective in 2024-25, and aims to further support Indigenous businesses with procurement opportunities. These initiatives contribute to advancing: Canadian Indicator Framework (CIF) ambition: “Canadians live free of discrimination and inequalities are reduced”; and, Global target 10.2: “By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status” Result: In 2022-23, CICS organized held 3 Diversity and Inclusion sessions for its employees. CICS also exceeded its target by awarding 9.3% (or $135,500) of our total expenditures to Indigenous businesses. SDG 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts CICS will take action to combat climate change and its impacts by promoting and supporting the Government of Canada Green Procurement Initiative. Concrete measures and targets are detailed in CICS 2020-2023 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy. This initiative contributes to advancing: Canadian Indicator Framework (CIF target 13.1): “By 2030, reduce Canada’s total greenhouse gas emissions by 40 to 45%, relative to 2005 emission levels. By 2050, achieve economy-wide net-zero greenhouse gas emissions”; and, Global target 13.2: “Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning” Results: In 2022-23, 100% of staff with procurement responsibilities have completed the CSPS course COR405 – Green Procurement. CICS’s green committee also met regularly throughout the year.
by Aaron Lampole
Read more »