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Helping governments tackle Canada’s toughest policy and management issues

Highlights from Deloitte Canada's National Public Sector Leadership Forum

As public sector organizations consider strategies for transitioning into the government of the future, they have begun to contemplate wide-ranging changes – from upgrading physical infrastructure, addressing shifting demographics, and delivering high citizen service to responding to concerns about security and the environment. Without doubt, it is an exciting time to be part of the public sector, which stands on the brink of unprecedented opportunity for reform.

To achieve this, governments at all levels are discussing ways to better understand the challenges they face and the solutions available to them. These discussions are uncovering many strategies the public sector can adopt as it moves towards becoming our future government.

To make this transition, public sector leaders must consult with industry specialists capable of articulating the issues faced by governments both domestically and internationally. They must draw on the experience of other countries, and other sectors, to identify strategies for achieving successful transformation. They must engage thought leaders and local communities to determine alternative means for delivering critical services. And they must both identify and train leaders within their ranks to help guide them through this new era of radical change.

It was with these imperatives in mind that Deloitte Canada hosted its annual National Public Sector Leadership Forum on November 13 and 14, 2007. On those two days, over 100 leaders of Deloitte’s Public Sector practice, as well as executives from outside the firm – and outside the industry, gathered in Toronto to share their knowledge of the issues facing governments around the world today.

Their aims were ambitious:

  • To understand the current and emerging issues within the public sector
  • To brainstorm opportunities and challenges that can help governments and industry stakeholders make more informed strategic decisions
  • To make an ongoing positive contribution to Canada’s public sector

With these goals in mind, participants heard from specialists on subjects as diverse as finance transformation, public infrastructure delivery, citizen service access, organization and people performance and environmental sustainability. They shared ideas for transforming government with professionals from across Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom.

They gained insight into current and emerging trends from industry insiders such as Darrell Bricker, President of Ipsos Reid Public Affairs North America, Gabriel Sékaly, CEO of the Institute of Public Administration of Canada (IPAC) and David McFadden, QC, Chair of the National Energy and Infrastructure Industry Group at law firm Gowlings. And they heard from political luminaries such as the Honourable Perrin Beatty, President and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and  Pierre Pettigrew, Executive Advisor to Deloitte’s International practice.

“These sessions bring together both Deloitte professionals and public sector leaders who are extremely well placed to talk about the issues facing governments today,” IPAC’s Gabriel Sékaly explains. “By discussing these issues on a holistic basis, participants can see how the solutions to various challenges may tie together and how industry stakeholders can begin to implement these solutions through this type of ongoing collaboration.”

  

Mapping public sector trends

While governments at all levels must contend with unique challenges, a look at countries around the world makes it clear that public sector issues frequently transcend borders. Although regional differences and varying constituent needs shape the discussion surrounding current and emerging trends, governments must be prepared to address seven key issues in the years to come.

Read the seven key trends  

Call to action

In light of the significant issues facing Canada’s governments, the imperative to act decisively continues to grow. Simply stated, our public sector will have difficulty meeting the challenges of the future if it remains focused on making only short-term, incremental improvements.

“Governments must continue to reduce their involvement in delivery and focus more on policy and direction setting,” asserts Richard Olfert, a partner of Deloitte’s Audit practice in Winnipeg. “As they focus their limited resources on those things governments can do best, transformation becomes increasingly important.”

Paul Macmillan concurs. “Unless public sector leaders develop greater urgency to make difficult policy choices, we run the risk of facing a looming crisis across several fronts. To avert that crisis, our governments must begin to make key structural changes geared towards improving our society into the future.”

The good news is that our country remains blessed with abundant natural resources, a strong international reputation and a skilled and educated workforce. By leveraging these strengths, governments can accelerate their transformation to new ways of doing business.

“By embracing a sense of optimism and vision, Canada’s governments stand to reap significant long-term advantages, ranging from improved accountability and citizen service standards to the ability to make more informed decisions around issues such as health care and infrastructure spending,” Macmillan asserts. “The result would be a revitalized public service that could stand as an example for governments around the world.”

For more information on how we can help you address today’s toughest policy and management issues, contact Public Sector. 

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