Archived - Audit of Economic Development (Non-proposal driven) - Follow-up Report Status Update as of March 31, 2011

• The Economic Development Programs, including CEDP, are currently being redesigned to align it with the June 2009 Federal Framework for Aboriginal Economic Development. New programs are scheduled to be in place on April 1, 2011.
  
  
• It is the intention to transfer the CEDP from a formula-based program to a proposal-driven program.; This new approach will allocate funds based on future economic opportunities and needs of recipients as opposed to formulas based on historical population.
  
  
• Consultation with INAC's Chief Financial Officer in the development of the new redesigned program's Terms and Conditions will ensure proper alignment with the Treasury Board Policy on Transfer Payments.

Update/Rationale:
As of 31/03/2011:

From May to December 2010, INAC held meetings with stakeholders to obtain input to assist in informing the renovation of programs. Engagement focused on 6 key themes: Strategic outcomes and performance measures, program delivery options and service standards, opportunities for harmonization and linkages among existing programs, challenges related to current programming and innovative solutions, capacity development and funding priorities. Current programs will continue with some immediate changes beginning in 2011/2012 including the use of various funding arrangements available through the Policy on Transfer Payments and multi-year agreements. In addition, other actions will be undertaken in 2011-2012 but may require additional time to fully implement. Future directions will continue to be considered in consultation with partners.

AES: Substantially implemented. The recommendation will be closed once all identified actions scheduled for the 2011-12 to improve program alignment have been implemented.

• The Economic Development Programs, including CEDP, are currently being redesigned to align it with the June 2009 Federal Framework for Aboriginal Economic Development. New programs are scheduled to be in place on April 1, 2011.
  
  
• The redesigned CEDP will ensure that sufficient information will be provided to all regions in order to clearly define and uniformly implement a common approach to both a management control framework and reporting requirements. Better informed project officers and recipients will facilitate effective measurement of results to track performance and therefore increase accountability.
  
  
• New program guidelines, to be implemented on April 1, 2011, will be clear on performance measurement and reporting.

Update/Rationale:
As of 31/03/2011:

An updated Policies and Procedures Manual has been created and is available to all regional offices. In 2011/2012 Community Economic Development program reporting requirements will be revised to focus on progress towards the objectives described in the performance measurement framework of the Federal Framework for Aboriginal Economic Development and the performance measurement framework for renovated Economic Development programs.

AES: Implementation on-going. The recommendation will be closed once CED program requirements have been revised to align with the performance measurement frameworks for Economic Development programs and the Federal Framework for Aboriginal Economic Development.

• The Economic Development Programs, including CEDP, are currently being redesigned to align it with the June 2009 Federal Framework for Aboriginal Economic Development. New programs are scheduled to be in place on April 1, 2011.
  
  
• The redesigned CEDP will ensure that all regions implement risk assessments and apply monitoring to commensurate with the level of risk associated with the redesigned CEDP proposal submitted by recipients.
  
  
• New program guidelines being developed in partnership with our regional offices, will ensure that regions are implementing clear and reasonable monitoring plans for each proposal, as set out in the program's terms and conditions.
  
  
• The level of risk for each proposal will be determined by completing a risk matrix similar to the matrix currently being used to assess the CSSP and CEOP programs.

Update/Rationale:
As of 31/03/2011:

A revised project reporting and payment disbursement regime has been developed for implementation April 1, 2011. The ongoing monitoring requirements for Community Economic Development program recipients is based on the rating determined through the department's General Assessment tool.

AES: Based on the revised project reporting and payment disbursement regime as well as the revisions to CED monitoring requirements, which incorporate INAC's General Assessment methodology, the recommendation has been closed.