Accountability for Results

1
Accountability for Results

• A Joint Workplan for
• First Nations the Government of Canada

Draft January 11, 2006
2
Purpose

• Purpose of this Presentation is to
• Set the context for a joint work plan
• Sketch proposals to begin that work
• Some proposals for pilots only
• Not all needed steps are accompanied by a
  proposal
• Allows for foundations to be constructed
• Respects limits on capacity to deliver

3
Origin

• The Parties
• First Nations governments (FN governments)
• Government of Canada (GOC)
• A Shared Objective
• Improve accountability of all governments
  results for First Nations citizens

4
Accountability for Results

• Principles
• Primary accountability of any government is to
  its citizens
• For policies, programs services to First
  Nations, primary objective is to improve results
  for First Nations citizens
• Accountability is shared between GOC and FN
  governments
• Accountability is mutual between GOC and FN
  governments

5
Accountability Principles (contd)

• Auditor General of Canadas 5 Principles for
  accountability
• Roles Responsibilities must be clear to parties
• Performance Expectations, and restraints such as
  resources, must be agreed between them
• Responsible party/parties must have the capacity
  to deliver
• Must produce credible timely information
• Must build in review, feedback response to fix
  problems amplify successes

6
Approach

• Enable Application of AGs 5 principles
• To all policies, programs services for First
  Nations
• Will require broad consultation
• Analyze existing arrangements from a sectoral
  perspective
• Proposal 1
• Develop needed tools within the GOC and among FNs
  to get both parties ready
• Proposals 2 - 9
• Negotiate community-based agreements
• Analogous to a contract or a results-based
  management accountability framework/risk-based
  audit framework
• Proposal 10

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Tools

• Parties need Tools in order to apply AGs 5
  principles effectively
• Getting the Federal House in Order
• Enable Transformative Change
• Deliver on FMM Commitments
• FN Citizen Focus
• First Nations Preparedness
• Capacity Development
• FN Institutions
• Management Agreements

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Getting the Federal House In Order

• GOC Policies, Practices Tools must
• Enable Transformative Change
• Deliver on FMM other Commitments
• Provide FN Citizen Focus
• Clarify Transfer Payment Policy regarding First
  Nations
• Improve cohesion integrate programs at
  recipient level - Proposal 2
• Align Aboriginal Horizontal Framework with
  desired Results
• Alignment must make sense at recipient level
  Proposal 3
• Reduce Reporting Administration Burdens
• Fewer compliance reports, departments
  recipients share data Proposal 4
• Address problem areas, such as 3rd party
  management

9
First Nations Preparedness

• FNs at different levels of preparedness
• Each needs to understand identify for others
• Where they are now
• What they want to achieve
• What will be needed
• 3 Steps to get prepared
• Capacity Development
• FN Institutions
• Management Agreements

10
Capacity Development

• Capacity development is a condition precedent for
  institutional development management
  agreements, including development of
• Management Capacity Proposal 5
• Trained managers are part of an effective First
  Nations Public Service
• Financial Management Standards Proposal 6
• By-laws, systems procedures for handling , key
  to effective comptrollership
• Information Proposal 7
• Data, Performance Measures Indicators,
  Evaluations essential to managing for results

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First Nation Institutions

• Institutions with a Role to Play in Improving
  Accountability
• First Nations Governments
• First Nations Statistical Institute
• First Nations Ombudsperson Proposal 8
• First Nations Certification Institute Proposal
  9
• First Nations Auditor General
• First Nations Comptroller General
• First Nations Fiscal Office
• Some exist now, some could be strengthened,
  others not yet created

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Management Agreements

• FN-GOC Agreements applying AGs 5 principles to
  all funding within a First Nation Proposal 10
• Identify Objectives, Capacity, Priorities for
  Action
• Specific to each FN Community
• A comprehensive planned approach
• Requires full commitment from all federal
  partners
• Provides management accountability structure for
  FN governments on continuum from devolution to
  self-government

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Linkages

• Legal Political Developments
• FN GOC Political Accord signed May 31st, 2005
• Recognition Implementation of First Nations
  Governments (RIFNG)
• Acknowledgement of FN Jurisdiction
• Call for indicator development at First Ministers
  Meeting
• Need for partnerships at several levels,
  including provinces territories

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Implementation

• Structures
• FN Working Group (FNWG) - Chiefs FN Experts in
  Accountability
• Joint Technical Committee (JTC) GOC AFN
  Representatives
• Oversight through the Recognition and
  Implementation of First Nation Governments
  (RIFNG) Joint Steering Committee
• Implementation Plan
• Discussions within respective communities,
  coordination through Joint Technical Committee
• Draft Discussion Paper - March 31, 2006
• Regional Policy Meetings April May 2006
• Recommendations June 30, 2006

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Expected Results

• Meaningful Accountability Reporting
• From FN governments to FN citizens
• Between FN governments the GOC in both
  directions
• From the GOC to all citizens
• Parties ready, willing able
• To apply AGs 5 principles
• Meet respective accountabilities
• Be publicly judged, the ultimate accountability

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Proposals Summary