This is expressed in the standards presented in Annex A that the Secretariat is proposing to adopt in seeking information from departments and in streamlining the information requests made of them. In addition to its commitment to streamlining the information requests made of departments in connection with business planning and plans, TBS with the assistance of departments will also propose reductions in routine reporting requirements We need access to departmental information to support our on-going dialogue with departments. This dialogue occurs at all levels and, together with development of the TBS Perspective document on each department and agency, is the primary process by which TBS, in support of the Treasury Board, develops an understanding of departmental and government-wide challenges. While reducing the reporting burden on departments and agencies, it is, nevertheless, recognized that, on occasion, the Secretariat may have to ask for reports on specific issues. Ministers always retain the right to identify issues and request additional information if the Treasury Board is not satisfied with the information that has been provided to it.
Every department needs to have good internal business planning.
Effective internal planning processes leading to the development of strategic and operational plans are essential elements of sound management within departments and agencies. Good business planning is central to the concept of Modern Comptrollership. Treasury Board Ministers have an obvious stake in good business planning in departments and agencies. In part, this is because they have a direct responsibility for effective management of the government's A-base. It is also because effective business planning in individual departments allows Treasury Board to obtain the information it requires for decision making on resource allocation and the management of larger horizontal issues in government.