Recommendation 1:

It is recommended that the Departmental Secretariat review best practices related to governance and provide updates to the Senior Management Board

Accept

As announced at SMB-Policy on October 27, 2008  the Departmental Secretariat will continue to seek opportunities for strengthening the governance structures and processes through the examination of best practices from other organizations and  networking with other experts to ensure that best practices are available.

Offer further learning opportunities to SMB Members on governance best practices.

SMB will review the Department's governance model and processes at least once a year.

This will be an opportunity for SMB Members to reflect on their roles and responsibilities as governors.

SMB and the Departmental Secretariat will seek further learning opportunities for SMB Members looking at internal and external best practices.

FY 2009-2010

SMB and the Departmental Secretariat

Recommendation 2:

It is recommended that the Senior Management Board continue to review the Department's program activity architecture (PAA) with a view to improving accountability reporting.

Accept

The Department is currently reviewing its PAA with the objective of having a revised PAA that will foster meaningful accountability reporting on the achievement of the Department's strategic outcomes.

Revise Health Canada's PAA with the view of improving accountability reporting on the achievement of the Department's strategic outcomes.

Revised PAA

FY 2010-2011

SMB

Recommendation 3:

It is recommended that the Senior Management Board formalize its periodic strategic planning exercises by incorporating them in its Terms of Reference and by communicating their dates, purpose and outcomes to employees.

Accept.

The SMB strategic planning exercises will be formally reflected in the Terms of Reference (ToRs) of the Senior Management Board (SMB). The Departmental Secretariat will circulate the revised ToRs broadly within the Department and incorporate information about the SMB strategic planning exercises into its communication plan aimed at increasing employee awareness and familiarity with the Department's corporate governance structure and processes.

Reflect into the SMB ToRs the holding of periodic meetings devoted to the establishment of strategic priorities and goals for the Department and the review and monitoring of strategic outcomes.

Provide information to HC employees on the SMB strategic planning meetings through various communications strategies (e.g. Intranet, Broadcast News messages, etc.).

Revised SMB ToRs that incorporate the special SMB meetings on strategic planning based on the business planning cycle, which were approved by SMB in December 2008

September 2009

SMB and the Departmental Secretariat