Canada

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Canadas Public Service RenewalSchool of
Policy StudiesQueens University

• Dr. David Zussman
• Jarislowsky Chair
• January 31, 2008

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Table of contents

• Public service (PS) today
• Why public service matters?
• What is driving change?
• Previous attempts of renewal
• Lessons learned from reforms
• The PS Canada needs for the 21st century
• The renewal agenda
• Employer of choice

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The public service (PS) today

• The federal Public Service is the largest
  enterprise in Canada in terms of workforce and
  spending.
• Manages a budget that amounts to over 16 of GDP.
• Affects citizens in countless ways every day
  through its service delivery, policy and
  regulatory work.

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The public service (PS) today
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The public service (PS) today
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Why public service matters?

• One of the most important and enduring
  competitive advantages that a country can have
  today is a lean, effective, honest civil
  service.
• (Thomas Friedman, Lexus and the Olive Tree)
• Quite simply, part of our success as a country
  has been, and will continue to be, linked to a
  professional public service that is dedicated to
  excellence
• (The clerk of the Privy Council)

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What is driving change?

• Shifting age profile
• Increasing diversity
• Changing nature of work
• A rising bar of public expectations, transparency
  and scrutiny
• Competitive labour market

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Previous attempts of renewal

• Adoption of merit principle (1918)
• Employee protection (1965)
• Planning and coordination PPBS (1968)
• Public Service 2000 (1990)
• The PS Modernisation Act (2006)

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Lessons learned from reforms

• A synergy of political and bureaucratic
  leadership is required for significant and
  lasting change to occur.
• Relationship between politicians and public
  servants is a central factor in achieving
  success.

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The PS Canada needs for the 21st century

• Looking to the future, the public service should
  be 
• Relevant and meaningful to Canadians
• Connected and networked
• Partnered with other organisations
• Agile at people management
• Citizen focused
• Values-infused
• Accountable

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The renewal agenda

• Short and medium terms priorities
• Planning
• Recruitment
• Employee development
• Enabling infrastructure

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The renewal agenda

• Long term priorities
• The human resources system
• Innovation and risk management
• Leadership

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Employer of choice

• The public service is built on values important
  to all Canadians and is recognized all over the
  world for its excellence.
• Got lot to offer  generation Y  in their search
  for a job that has purpose and relevance.
• Consider the public service of Canada as your
  employer of choice!