The Management Accountability Framework

The Management Accountability Framework contains a set of Areas of Management, such as excellence in people management, integrated risk management and Effectiveness of Financial Management and Control, which assess the performance of departments in performing their management duties. The assessment is carried out by the Treasury Board Secretariat with information provided by departments. Results are based on an assessment scale, and published by the Treasury Board Secretariat.

In response to the Round VIII (2010-2011) Management Accountability Framework Assessment, Transport Canada has created the following management response to highlight the department’s efforts to further improve its management practices.

Transport Canada’s Management Response: Management Accountability Framework Assessment ( MAF ) Round VIII (2010-2011)

Transport Canada is pleased to receive acknowledgement from Treasury Board Secretariat in its Round VIII MAF assessment that our management capacity continues to be strong overall. The Department remains committed to continued refinement and strengthening of our management practices through this assessment process.

In total, for the 11 Areas of Management on which the department was assessed, it received four "strong" ratings, and five "acceptable" ratings. Areas of Management Integrated Risk Management, and Governance and Planning received a rating of "opportunity for improvement". In this regard, the Department has responded in the following areas:

1. Integrated Risk Management:

   Significant progress was made on the departmental IRM Implementation Action Plan. The main objective of the Action Plan is to create and foster an environment that is conducive for responsible risk-taking in the Department. For example:

   • The Department has developed both an Integrated Risk Management ( IRM ) Policy and a 2011 Corporate Risk Profile. Senior management has endorsed the IRM Framework which has facilitated the implementation of various IRM initiatives at Transport Canada.

   • Monitoring risk responses has been integrated into the departmental planning process to foster informed decision making.

   • A communication strategy on risk is being implemented to build risk awareness and capacity

2. Governance and Planning

   • Transport Canada’s Integrated Business Plan, 2011-2012 to 2013-2014 was completed and approved by senior management. It reflects departmental priority-setting, business planning and engagement exercise across the organization. The Plan is fundamental to informed priority setting and decision making and is key to supporting Transport Canada’s raison d’être and responsibilities as presented in the 2011-2012 Report on Plans and Priorities.

   • Transport Canada launched a new integrated planning process for 2012-2013 in an effort to streamline and integrate planning processes and to improve results-based decision making throughout the department. This integrated planning process links the Initial Budget Delegation for next fiscal year with our planned activities and priorities. This process will also lead to the development of Strategic Outcome Business Plans and Program Activity Business Plans.