Executive Council Office Welcome! We are pleased that you made the decision to join our department, and hope that you enjoy your new role! Your success in your new role is important to us. We want to partner with you by giving you the tools and resources you need to ensure your transition to our organization is successful. This document is to provide you with initial information and an overview of the business and branches of Executive Council Office (ECO), as well as our vision, mission, values and mandate. On your first day of work, you will receive further orientation information to help familiarize yourself with processes within government and the department of ECO.
Inside This Document 2 – Message from the Deputy Minister 3 – Dept. Vision, Mission & Values 4 – Organizational Goals 5 – Organizational Chart 6 – Overview: Strategic Corporate Services 8 – Overview: Corporate Programs & Intergovernmental Relations 10 – Overview: Aboriginal Relations 11 – Overview: Government Audit Services & Commissioner‟s Office
We are pleased to announce Yukon Government has been selected as one of Canada’s Top Employers for 2014!! Please visit http://www.eluta.ca/jobs-at-yukon-public-service for more information ECO operations are located in a number of different locations and buildings (i.e. Yukon Government Administration Building, 419 Range Road, Lynn Building). Please refer to the Government of Yukon, Internal Telephone Directory for actual addresses.
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Message from your Deputy Minister On behalf of the Executive Council Office (ECO) it is my pleasure to welcome you! Each member of the ECO team plays an important role in the operation of this Department and in our success as a central agency. The following information will provide you with an introduction to the Government of Yukon, and more specifically to ECO. Our Department is constantly evolving and developing, and I encourage you to share your perspectives and ask questions throughout your time here. I look forward to meeting you and wish you success as you begin your career in the Executive Council Office. - Joe MacGillivray
Joe has two roles within the Executive Council Office: As Deputy Minister of ECO: Deputy Ministers are the most senior public servants and take political direction from an elected minister. Responsibility for the overall management of a department including day-to-day operations, budget, program development and overall delivery of program and services lie with the deputy minister. Joe also works with the Premier and his office on department business. The ECO deputy minister has an additional role different from other deputy ministers. He is responsible for providing leadership to all deputy ministers and for communicating priorities of the government to all departments. As Cabinet Secretary: The Cabinet Secretary is responsible for providing non-partisan advice to the Premier and Cabinet, as well as Management Board. Joe is responsible to conduct and maintain the Cabinet decisionmaking process. Lastly, he ensures the continuity of government when there is a transition from one administration to another.
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Where We’re Going – Our Vision We provide exceptional public service leadership within a mature government.
What We Do – Our Mission Excellence in public governance for the benefit of Yukon, through leadership and dedication to high quality advice, analysis and initiatives. Mandate 1. Support the Cabinet governance process by ensuring government policy and planning are coordinated and effective 2. Demonstrate strategic corporate leadership 3. Foster respectful, durable relationships with other governments 4. Promote effective and timely communications
How We Will Get There – Our Strategic Goals Department Goals
What We Believe – Our Values 1. Leadership: We are empowered at all Levels to take initiative and make a difference 2. Professionalism: We work with integrity, dedication and impartiality 3. Respect: We value diverse perspectives And encourage collaboration 4. Learning: We promote a culture of learning and personal growth
1. Provide and promote government-wide strategic leadership 2. Foster effective relationships with our clients and other governments 3. Enhance the Yukon government‟s role and profile nationally and internationally Corporate Goals 4. Attract, develop and engage talented people to continue to provide high quality service to the public 5. Practice open, accountable and fiscally responsible government 6. Advance strategic corporate initiatives through interdepartmental cooperation Executive Council Office – Dept. Overview | 3
Your Individual Goals = Organization’s Goals LINE OF SIGHT
ECO Strategic Plan
Annual Plan (Strategic Plan “Part B”)
Work force Strategy
Branch Plan
Job Description
YOU!! PPP PDP Goals
The Government and Department‟s mandate constructs ECO‟s 5 year strategic plan. This document is used to communicate and set the direction of the department‟s goals, objectives and priorities. ECO has a comprehensive approach to strategic and operational planning. This includes the development of branch/unit level plans that identify and link to strategic objectives. They outline a variety of operational functions tasked to each level (right down to individuals on the „front lines‟) By aligning corporate, departmental and individual goals, we can ensure accountability, that our short and long term goals are being achieved, and alignment of resources.
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Branches of Executive Council Office As a central agency within Yukon Government, ECOâ€&#x;s 100+ staff provides leadership and support to the department and to programs and services across YG (ie. policy development and interdepartmental projects). ECO also facilitates the cabinet decision-making process by providing advice, analysis and other services. We are comprised of several branches holding unique leadership or primary information roles.
Deputy Minister, ECO
ADM, Aboriginal Relations
ADM, Corp. Program & Intergov. Relations
ADM, Strategic Corporate Services
Commissioner's OFfice Gov't Audit
Policy & Consultation
Intergovernmental Relations
FN Relations & Capacity Dev
Science Advisory
Human Resources
Negotiation & Reconciliation
Bureau of Statistics
Communications
Water Board
Policy & Planning
Youth Directorate
Strategic Initiatives
Finance & Administration
Development Assessment
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Strategic Corporate Services
Deputy Minister’s Office The Deputy Minister is the principal nonpolitical advisor to the Premier and works with the Premier, Cabinet and the community of Deputy Ministers to communicate and advance government priorities and initiatives. The Deputy Minister is also the Cabinet Secretary, with responsibility for:
Providing quality, timely non-partisan advice and guidance to the Premier, Ministers and government departments on Cabinet priorities and issues Supporting the effectiveness of the Cabinet decision-making process Providing secretariat services to Cabinet and maintaining the decision on making records of government Ensuring the continuity of government between administrations.
”Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.”
This division is the hub for government and department strategic planning; we support the Premier as he fulfills his Ministerial role in the Legislative Assembly, we support Cabinet and its sub-Committees in decision-making, and we provide corporate services (communications, policy, finance and HR) to the other Divisions in the department. The work of the teams in this Division is both advisory and transactional in nature. On the transaction side, as examples, we pay bills, post news releases and write job descriptions and process leave and training forms. On the advisory side, as examples, we help departments fulfill their responsibilities relating to the Yukon Environmental and Socio-Economic Assessment Act through advice and training, we help management in the department to design organizational structures that help them achieve their goals, we teach other employees in government about the machinery of government and how to bring items forward, and we complete policy and communications analyses to support Cabinet decision-making.
Human Resources The HR unit plays a key role in helping achieve the vision and mission of ECO. While upholding strong values and ethical principles, we provide strategic leadership and support to employees and managers in a broad range of functions: HR operational and strategic planning Talent and succession management o training and development o recruitment, retention & engagement Staff relations Job design Disability management Pay and leave Health & Safety Wellness The unit endeavors to ensure “the right people are in the right positions with the right skills”.
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{Strategic Corporate Services cont‟d.…}
Finance & Administration The Finance and Administration unit is responsible for managing the internal financial activities for the department and coordinating administrative, systems and information management support services to meet department operational requirements. The branch provides budgetary, financial and administrative services to the department and to the Cabinet Offices and supports management in the delivery of departmental programs. Policy & Planning Policy and Planning facilitates the Cabinet decision-making process by providing advice, analysis and other services to Cabinet and its committees. It plays a corporate role in developing/coordinating policy and other initiatives of a corporate and/or interdepartmental nature. This includes (but is not limited to)
Supports the Premier‟s Office on legislation, session, and community tour matters; Works with departments to ensure submissions to Cabinet are clear, concise, and comprehensive, with sound analysis and advice; Leads and coordinates strategic planning corporately; Leads and coordinates corporate policy capacity development; Supports the implementation of the government‟s priorities by working with departments to inform and assess progress of initiatives.
Communications The Communications Branch has both a departmental and corporate leadership role in meeting government communication needs. Responsibilities include:
Provide government-wide communication services including issues management, media analysis and review and distribution of Yukon government news releases; Support the Cabinet decision-making process by working with departments to ensure effective communications strategies; Carry out the Commissioner‟s and ECO‟s communications activities and support the Premier and Cabinet Office
Development Assessment Branch The Development Assessment Branch (DAB) is the lead agency within the Yukon Government for administering the Yukon Environmental and Socio-Economic Assessment Act (YESAA). In this role, the branch:
Provides corporate leadership and assistance to departments with respect to the assessment of environmental and socio-economic effects; Represents the Yukon government as decision body on major projects; Provides policy guidance for YESAA implementation issues; and Acts as the government‟s principal contact for assessors from the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board (YESAB), interested parties, and other governments. Executive Council Office – Dept. Overview | 7
This division delivers a number of programs both internal to government and externally. The office of the Senior Science Advisor identifies opportunities for partner-ships internally and with external organizations, encourages collaboration Corporate internally and supports the sharing of information to assist Programs & with decision-making. The Youth Directorate provides Intergovernmental funding for youth-serving organizations and encourages collaboration on, and sharing of best practices in youth Relations engagement both within government and with the nongovernment organization community. Inter governmenttal Relations assists the Premier in presenting Yukon views in national and international intergovernmental forums and works with departments to ensure that policy positions presented in intergovernmental forums are consistent with advancing Yukon as a maturing government. The Water Board Secretariat works with external applicants who require water licenses and support the independent Water Board decision makers about the terms and conditions of licenses for water use and the deposit of waste into water. The Bureau of Statistics produces key information about many aspects of the territorial social, economic and demographic make-up, assists department in creating and using information to support decision-making, and conducts survey work for internal and external clients. Science Advisory The Office of the Science Advisor guides the Yukon government on scientific matters by providing strategic direction and policy advice on corporate science interests. The Office promotes and supports science-based decision making across government and raises awareness of science initiatives and findings that support and advance Yukon government priorities. The office works to build scientific capacity and literacy within the Yukon government and Yukon. The Science Advisor represents Yukon government‟s interests in intergovernmental science forums and coordinates and identifies opportunities to access, apply or develop scientific knowledge. Youth Directorate The main objectives of the Youth Directorate are to: Provide youth with supports to become involved in social, economic and cultural activities; Support organizations serving youth; and Provide advice to decision makers related to appropriate programming for youth. Supporting youth is principally accomplished by increasing awareness of available programs and services, involving youth in developing programs directed towards them, and providing opportunities for youth up to 25 years of age to contribute to their communities. Executive Council Office – Dept. Overview | 8
Intergovernmental Relations The mission of the Intergovernmental Relations Branch is to maintain effective relations with provincial, territorial, federal, northern, regional and international governments in order to advance the political, social, cultural, economic and environmental priorities of Yukon. In fulfilling this mission, Intergovernmental Relations (IGR) coordinates the relations with other governments external to Yukon to ensure they are carried out in a consistent and effective manner. This includes providing strategic advice and support to facilitate the Premier‟s participation in First Ministers‟ meetings, meetings of the Council of the Federation, and other intergovernmental forums and promoting and advocating for Yukon‟s key interests in Ottawa. The Office of Protocol organizes/coordinates diplomatic visits, ceremonies and official honors. Water Board Secretariat The Water Board Secretariat is an adjudicative board which acts as an impartial tribunal and is responsible for issuing water licenses for water use and waste deposit. Its mandate is to provide for the conservation, development and utilization of water resources of the Yukon Territory in a manner that will provide the optimum benefit for all Canadians and for the residents of the Yukon Territory in particular. The staff at the Water Board office provides administrative, financial, research and advisory support for the Yukon Water Board. Yukon Bureau of Statistics
“Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who actually do”.
The Yukon Bureau of Statistics is the government center for reliable information, research and statistical services in support of decision making by the Yukon government, other clients and the public. The bureau‟s primary responsibilities include:
Making readily available timely demographic, economic and social statistical information; Publishing major reports on Yukon-specific information in areas of public interest such as the economy, health, population and tourism; Maintaining an up-to-date resource center as a Statistics Canada focal point providing access to national and international statistical information Executive Council Office – Dept. Overview | 9
The Aboriginal Relations Division is the Government of Yukon’s lead for negotiating and implementing Final and Self-Government Agreements and other reconciliation arrangements with First Nations. The Branch promotes the interests of the Government of Yukon and residents of Yukon in the development and implementation of these arrangements. Aboriginal Relations promotes mutually respectful relationships between Yukon Government and all First Nations, and on aboriginal issues with federal, provincial and territorial governments.
Negotiation & Reconciliation This branch leads the negotiations for all matters required for First Nations Final Agreements, Self-Government Agreements and Transboundary land claim agreements. It directs and assists other departments with negotiations that arise from provisions included in these agreements (such as taxation agreements, agreements related to selfgovernment powers, joint planning structures, royalty sharing arrangements etc). The branch also develops, manages and priorities, plans & processes to support the implementation activities resulting from the conclusion of these agreements.
First Nations Relations & Capacity Development
Aboriginal Relations
Policy & Consultation This branch is responsible for managing, and evaluating research, development and analysis of government policies, mandates and strategy. This is done in respect of the negotiation and implementation of land claims and selfgovernment agreements, and the negotiation of subsequent agreements arising from such implementation.
This branch is responsible for providing corporate leadership in the planning, development, implementation and evaluation of First Nation Relations, governance and capacity development initiatives and corporate policies, strategies and processes. The branch liaises between YG and Yukon First Nation Governments to develop intergovernmental accords.
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ECO also has 2 other standalone units in which it supports…
Government Audit Services carries out internal audits and provides advisory services to assist departments in improving the efficiency, effectiveness, economy and accountability of Yukon government programs.
Government Audit Services
The branch provides services in accordance with an annual audit plan established by the Audit Committee and examines the adequacy of internal financial and management controls throughout government. Government Audit Services shares information and coordinates its activities with other providers of assurance services, and the Office of the Auditor General to ensure proper audit coverage and minimize duplication of efforts.
The Commissioner is appointed by the Government of Canada. His role is very similar to a provincial lieutenant governor. Responsibilities of the Commissioner include both statutory and customary duties, as follows:
Ensure continuity of government and maintain democratic freedoms. Swear-in members of legislative assembly. Read the Speech from the Throne at the opening of each legislative session. Summon, prorogue, and dissolve the legislature. Provide assent to bills passed by the Legislative Assembly, enabling them to become law. Upon advice from Cabinet, sign orders-incouncil, Commissioner‟s warrants, statutory appointments, and dispositions of Commissioner‟s lands. Represent the distinct interests of Yukon‟s people by acting as a symbolic head of Yukon, including attending official functions.
Commissioner’s Office
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