Presentation to the Canadian Council of Administrative Tribunals

June 20, 2005

The 1993 Liberal Party election platform stated:

• That a Liberal government would review the appointment process to ensure that necessary appointments are made on the basis of competence.
  
• Persons appointed…will better represent women, visible minorities, Aboriginal peoples and people with disabilities.
  
• Cost savings would be achieved by shrinking some boards and commissions and eliminating others.

We reviewed all agencies, boards and commissions to eliminate unnecessary positions. As a result of the Agency, Boards and Commissions Review, 500 positions were eliminated.

Governor-in-Council Positions

Full-Time Governor-in-Council Positions

Regions must be well-represented and geographical concerns must be taken into account.

The capacity to speak both official languages is often required. Many advertisements in the Canada Gazette state that proficiency in both official languages is essential.

The Public: The Chrétien government followed the practice initiated by the Kim Campbell government of advertising, in the Canada Gazette, vacancies for many full-time fixed term Order-in-Council appointments.

Advertisements are not the only method of recruitment. The notice placed in the Gazette is used to assist the Governor-in-Council in identifying qualified candidates.

The Bureaucracy: Deputy ministers often suggest the names of experienced individuals who are known to be specialists in certain fields. In addition, the Senior Personnel Secretariat (“SPS”) of the Privy Council Office (“PCO”) provides advice.

The Heads of Agencies: These persons have already obtained Order-in-Council appointments themselves and clearly have a very strong interest in the type of people who may be appointed to their board.

Cabinet Ministers: They often recommend names of experienced individuals to sit on the boards or agencies under their specific mandate(s).

Appointments are difficult to schedule. Legislative changes and policy debate will sometimes put the future of an agency in doubt.

Parliamentary Standing Committees may call appointees to justify their qualifications for their positions.

Journalists may subject an individual appointee or head of an agency to great scrutiny.

Tribunal decisions may be attacked in the House of Commons or overturned by the government.

The appointment process is one of massive consultation through many different routes.

The Appointments Secretariat (PCO and PMO) searches out talented individuals. Trade magazines and newsletters are routinely read for up-to-date information in certain fields.

Interviews and meetings with various groups are constantly convened – all with a view to facilitating recommendations.

To increase the transparency of Governor-in-Council appointments, the Chrétien government initiated the practice of issuing press releases regarding appointments within 72 hours.

Starting in 2000 we requested the Privy Council Office (PCO) write every person who received an appointment to self identify if they met any of our 4 target groups (women, visible minorities, Aboriginals and people with disabilities).

Prime Minister Chrétien appointed more women to the Senate than any other prime minister. The number of women in the Senate increased from 16 at the time the government took office in 1993 to 37 today – the most to be seated at any one time in Canadian history. 38% of senators are women. In the House of Commons 21% of the MP’s are women.

Our appointment success rate was above the labour market participation rate in 3 areas:

• Women
• Visible Minorities and Aboriginals

Thelma Chalifoux from Alberta, a Metis elder.
Calvin Ruck from Nova Scotia, former labourer with Dominion Steel and Coal Company, former porter with the Canadian National Railroad and an advocate for the black community in Nova Scotia.
Very Reverend Lois Wilson from Ontario, Chancellor at Lakehead University and first woman Moderator of the United Church of Canada.
Ione Christensen from the Yukon, former Executive Director of Crossroads Alcohol and Drug Treatment Centre and Director of the National Association of Canadian Land Surveyors.
Marisa Ferretti Barth from Quebec leading member of the Italian-Canadian community and a strong voice for seniors’ issues.
Mobina Jaffer, from British Columbia, a lawyer and the first Canadian of East Indian descent and first Muslim woman Senator.
Viola Léger, from New Brunswick, an award winning actress and leader in Acadian Arts and Culture.
Catherine Callbeck, from Prince Edward Island, a business leader, educator and the first and only woman ever elected premier.
Maria Chaput, from Manitoba, businesswoman and leader in the French Community, the first Franco-Manitoban woman Senator.
Madelaine Plamondon, from Quebec, a consumer advocate, in 2000 she received “le Prix de la Justice du Québec” for her work defending consumer rights.
Vivienne Poy, from Ontario, an author, entrepreneur, fashion designer and the first and only Canadian woman Senator of Chinese descent.
Marilyn Trenholme Counsell, from New Brunswick, a former M.D. and Former Cabinet Minister and Lieutenant Governor in New Brunswick.
Pana Merchant, from Saskatchewan, born in Greece, a businesswoman and teacher.
Mac Harb, from Ontario, born in Lebanon, an engineer and former Member of Parliament.
Aurélien Gill, from Quebec, an Aboriginal businessman.
Nick Sibbeston, from the North West Territories, a First Nations leader, a former lawyer and former Premier of the N.W.T