Public Service Renewal

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Public Service Renewal

• Deck Module
• January 2008

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Why renewal, why now?

• The public service must continue to adapt to meet
  the changing realities of Canadian society and be
  well equipped to best serve Canadians in the
  coming years. This is particularly true as the
  current baby boom generation retires.
• Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada

Whats renewal?

• Renewal is not a single event or initiative
  it is a constant process, requiring continuing
  attention from managers and staff at all levels.
• Kevin G. Lynch, Clerk of the Privy Council

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Whats driving renewal?

• An aging population that is reflected in the
  demographic profile of the Public Service.
• The changing nature of work driven by new
  technologies and globalization.
• The most competitive labour market in over 30
  years, marked by low unemployment.
• A changing and more diverse population mix that,
  despite the efforts of the past decade, is still
  not adequately reflected in the ranks of the
  Public Service.
• Changing public expectations toward more
  accountability, better management of tax dollars
  and improved public services.
• The Public Service brand is less positive and
  less clear in the publics mind.

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Partners in renewal

• The Prime Minister has established an advisory
  committee of prominent Canadians on the future of
  the Public Service.
• The Clerk of the Privy Council has defined major
  objectives and set benchmarks in his 14th Annual
  Report to the Prime Minister.
• A Deputy Ministers Committee advises the Clerk
  on all issues related to Public Service renewal.
• Every public servant has a vital role to play in
  renewal, whether they are near retirement, in
  mid-career or just joining the Public Service.

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200708 renewal priorities

• 1. Planning We need to better integrate
  business planning with human resources planning
  so that we have a better sense of where were
  strong in talent and where there are gaps to
  fill.
• A key PS Renewal commitment
• All departments to post their integrated human
  resources and business plan on the web by March
  2008.

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200708 renewal priorities

• 2. Recruitment We must hire the most qualified
  graduates in all fields, reflecting Canadas
  diversity and linguistic duality.
• Key PS Renewal commitments
• Increase the number of post-secondary graduates
  appointed to indeterminate positions by more than
  40 over last year.
• Increase collective staffing initiatives for
  specific functional community groups.
• Develop a branding strategy that identifies the
  Public Service as a career of choice.

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200708 renewal priorities

• 3. Employee Development We must continue to
  reach for excellence by fostering an environment
  where employees can apply the full range of their
  skills.
• Key PS Renewal commitments
• Ensuring 90 of employees have learning plans by
  March 2008 based on meaningful discussions with
  their managers.
• DMs to report annually on their departments
  performance.

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200708 renewal priorities

• 4. Enabling Infrastructure We need to streamline
  our human resources systems and processes to make
  it easier to recruit and retain employees.
• Key PS Renewal commitments
• Reduce the time it takes to get second language
  oral testing by 50.
• Facilitate the electronic transfer of employee HR
  records from one department to another.

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Principles supporting renewal

• Renewal is not a top-down exercise. We need to
  ensure it involves employees at all levels.
• Renewal is an ongoing process. We should
  continually renew ourselves, build on our
  strengths and adjust course as we learn.
• Measurement matters. We must set benchmarks for
  performance and measure progress.
• Excellence should be our hallmark. We need to
  reaffirm our traditional values of excellence in
  service delivery and policy development.

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The longer term

• ? Elements of the longer term agenda include
• Developing the leadership qualities that are
  essential to a modern and effective Public
  Service.
• Continuing to invest in better reporting and data
  processing.
• Examining demographics and generational change.
• Addressing the culture of risk aversion that has
  emerged in recent years.
• Reaching out to a new generation of public
  service professionals.

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For more information

• Visit the Canada Public Service Agencys website
  at
• publiservice.psagency.gc.ca,
• and click on
• Public Service Renewal.