Transcript University of Ottawa Certificate Program in Advanced Public Sector

Canada’s Public Service Renewal
School of Policy Studies
Queens University
Dr. David Zussman
Jarislowsky Chair
January 31, 2008
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
4
The public service (PS) today
5
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)
8
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
10
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!
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