Over the past 15 years, employees of the Public Service of Canada have lived through a historical period of change resulting from governments taking measures to regain their fiscal sovereignty and realign their role to better serve Canadians. But a careful look reveals that a more profound change is taking place and a new public sector is starting to emerge. Policy development must be more integrated and take into account the more complex and horizontal nature of policy issues. One of the main challenges is to break down the vertical stovepipes that tend to divide government activities into somewhat artificial domains. The challenge of reform in Canada is to encourage experimentation, but to guide it in a manner that is respectful of the basic values and principles of the public sector, that maintains the necessary accountability of ministers, and that ensures appropriate parliamentary oversight.
People make the difference in any organization.
In the public sector, they develop the policies, they identify the alternative courses of action and the consequences of those actions, they provide services and they contribute to shaping the future. They are well trained in dealing with complex issues, reconciling multiple objectives, developing strategic alliances, creating consensus and organizing networks. The challenges ahead reaffirm the need for a professional, nonpartisan Public Service, and will require that public servants renew their commitment to serving Canada and Canadians by doing things differently. It will be important to protect the capacity of the Public Service to serve the public interest, and thereby ensure a modern and vibrant institution to meet the needs of Canada and Canadians now and in the future. The values of serving in the public interest and of supporting a parliamentary democracy will always remain central to the role of the public sector.