Archived - Evaluation of INAC's Economic Development Programs - Follow-up Report Status Update as of March 31, 2011

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Action Plan Implementation Status Update Report to the Evaluation, Performance Measurement and Review Committee - As of March 31, 2011

Lands and Economic Development - Lands and Economical Development Policy Branch

Evaluation of INAC's Economic Development Programs (200766)
AEC Approval Date: 17/APR/2009

Project >Recommendations	Action Plan	Expected Completion Date	Program Response
1. Continue to support economic development programming that includes assistance for Aboriginal businesses and community economic development.	The government of Canada, through INAC's Lands and Economic Development Sector, is committed to implementing a new federal approach to Aboriginal economic development, one that will create the necessary conditions to enable Aboriginal Canadians to pursue economic development opportunities successfully. The framework will support, in part through INAC's Economic Development programming, the development of investment-ready communities, viable Aboriginal businesses and a skilled labour force	Framework completed Spring 2009 Implementation of Framework to commence April 1, 2010	Status: Ongoing Update/Rationale: As of 30/09/2010: Community Opportunities Branch The LED reorganization, implemented on September 1, 2010, has led to closer collaboration within the sector and throughout the Department, resulting in improved effectiveness in the delivery of programming. Lands issues, which are viewed as impediments to community economic development, are addressed in a more pro-active and expeditious manner. Lands & Economic Development officials are now better positioned to be informed and work jointly on projects of similar interests. Each programming area is evolving to better understand how one can benefit from the other. The Sector is moving ahead with program renovation, which will address issues noted in recent program audits and evaluations. The Community Opportunities Branch continues to support First Nations and Inuit Communities and organizations they mandate, to enable recipients to carry forth community economic development planning and capacity development initiatives. Continued support is provided to First Nations and Inuit communities that have the best opportunities leading to community economic benefits. AES: Close- Fully Implemented
	INAC's Economic Development programming will: Continue to support Aboriginal businesses through the renewal/amendment of program authorities.	Program renewal completed April 1, 2010
	Continue to support Community Economic Development through the renewal/amendment of program authorities	Authorities to expire March 31, 2015
2. Given expanded mandate of the Department, ensure that INAC's economic development programming meets the needs of all Aboriginal groups (First Nation on- and off-reserve, Inuit and Métis); and takes into consideration the different characteristics of Aboriginal communities (on- and off-reserve, urban, and remote); their access to equity financing; and the differing needs of women and men, in line with INAC's Gender-Based Analysis Policy.	Undertake research to identify and propose strategies to address gender barriers to economic participation by Aboriginal peoples	Research and action plan to be completed date: March 31, 2010 Implementation of action plan to be completed by April 1, 2015 (in line with INAC's economic development program authorities)	Status: Fully Implemented0 Update/Rationale: As of 31/03/2011: Research has been undertaken to gather qualitative and quantitative information on 1) the gender-specific challenges facing Aboriginal women entrepreneurs in accessing Aboriginal entrepreneurship programs; and 2) the specific needs of and barriers facing Métis women entrepreneurs. Scoping work is underway on Inuit women entrepreneurs and Aboriginal women's financial literacy. Aboriginal Business Development programming continues to be accessible to all Aboriginal groups including on and off-reserve. In October 2010, the Government of Canada announced a $1million announcement to develop and implement pilot projects to strengthen entrepreneurship among Aboriginal women. Focusing on financial literacy and microenterprise supports, these pilots are currently under development in collaboration with stakeholder groups (CAP, NWAC, Pauktuutit). Substantive Gender-based analysis has been undertaken in support of the renewal of INAC's Aboriginal lands and economic development programs in order to ensure all programs - including Community Economic Development and Aboriginal Entrepreneurship programs - meet the needs of women as well as men. This analysis is helping to shape the terms and conditions of the renewed programs. Gender disaggregated data is collected for all Aboriginal economic development programs, which is rolled up and tracked as part of a gender-sensitive performance measurement strategy Program renovation options are being considered and will incorporate input received from clients during an extensive engagement process. This will include specifically targeting funds to address the unique barriers and opportunities of various Aboriginal stakeholders. Through the implementation of the GA tool, program managers will have access to the characteristics of Aboriginal recipients in order to inform decision making regarding funding, including targeted capacity development activities. AES: Recommend to Close.
	Continue to provide business development programming to all Aboriginal groups, on and off reserve	Renewal of program authorities completed March 31, 2010
	Explore possibilities of specific business development initiatives for women, in line with INAC's Gender - Based Analysis Policy, if necessary, based on on-going research and data collection	Implementation of specific business development Initiatives implemented by April 1, 2010
	Consider Community Economic Development program renovations that include programming to meet the needs of all Aboriginal groups	Program Renovation Proposal Completed Fall 2009-07-22 Implementation April 1, 2010
	To assist with identifying and addressing ifferential program access and uptake (including equity financing), work with Information Management Branch (FNITP)	Completed: March 21, 2010
	First Nations and Inuit Transfer Payment Program project) to ensure that information pertaining to the characteristics of Aboriginal recipients is captured and made available to program managers	Implemented: April 1, 2010
3. Ensure that the design of EDP is strategically focused on the achievement of intermediate and long-term results. Key considerations should include: continuing support for capacity development, strategic planning and community economic development projects assessing feasibility of adjustments or alternatives to the current population formula funding approach; and modifications, such as, support for regional approaches, and multi-year funding.	Community Investments Branch (CIB) will develop a suite of new programs in keeping with the Federal Framework, the considerations identified with respect to this recommendation, and the overall findings of this evaluation	Program Renovation Proposal Completed Fall 2009 Implementation April 1, 2010	Status: Ongoing to April 2012 Update/Rationale: As of 31/03/2011: Community Economic Development programs will continue to work to maintain and improve programming that supports the role of the Community Economic Development officers/organizations, which is critical to supporting the capacity of communities to participate in economic development opportunities. Programming will focus support for training and capacity development for Economic Development Officers and Land Managers. Adjustments and alternatives to current funding are being explored to take into consideration the cost of doing business in northern and remote communities along with incentives for Strategic Community Economic Development and associated land-use plans, along with the establishment of effective governance structures for economic development decision making and aggregation of service delivery. Guidelines have been developed and implemented that support the provision of multi-year funding for recipients, based on recipient risk. The full program renovation is expected to be implemented in April 2012. AES: No Comment
4. Determine the Department's role in supporting community economic development and business development, and take steps to ensure sufficient and appropriate human, financial and information technology resources are in place to support Aboriginal businesses and communities, as well as to manage, monitor and report on programming.	INAC's role in community economic development and business development will be defined through the federal framework for Aboriginal Economic Development	Research Completed Fall 2009	Status: Fully Implemented Update/Rationale: As of 31/03/2011: Regional Office re-organization has resulting in the creation of Lands and Economic Directorates within regional offices which has contributed to more efficient use of internal resources and the more timely and efficient re-allocation of funds to priority areas. Further program renovation activities will seek to further streamline program administration including consistent processes for approvals and a funds disbursement process based on risk which significantly reduces administrative requirements. Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Branch has created an HQ Quality Assurance Team to support national program delivery standards, maintain up to date tools (i.e. to reflect the new TB PTP) and enhance program effectiveness. An AEB website content review is underway. Starting in 2011-2012, a Skills Gap Analysis for AEB programs will be undertaken. AES: Recommend to Close.
	As a part of the program renovation activities in keeping with the framework, INAC will undertake a review of resources (human, financial and IM/IT) dedicated to the delivery of community economic development and business development programming, and allocate human and financial resources to effectively manage, monitor and report on the new suite of economic development programs	Implementation: April 1, 2010
5. Consider expanding ABDP support through third-party-delivery as part of a strategy to ensure effective and efficient program delivery and leverage.	Continue with an independent comprehensive review (initiated October 2008) of Aboriginal Financial Institutions (to be completed in March 2010). Based on the review assess the readiness of AFI's to act as delivery agents of INAC's business development programming	Review Completed March 31, 2010, Implementation of Findings to commence April 1, 2010	AES: Close Update/Rationale: As of 30/09/2010: AES: Close- Fully Implemented
6. Develop and implement a performance measurement strategy for departmental economic development programming which integrates both EDP and ABDP, and allows the programs to measure progress, make ongoing adjustments to programming, and report on results.	An economic development programming performance measurement strategy, integrating both Community Economic Development and Business Development Programming will be developed and included in program renewal, taking into consideration reporting burden and IM/IT requirements	Completed, Fall 2009 Implemented April 1, 2010	Status: Ongoing Update/Rationale: As of 31/03/2011: A Performance measurement strategy for renovated Lands and Economic Development programs is currently under development. In 2011/2012, adjustments to program reporting will be made to significantly reduce reporting requirements while focusing on progress towards objectives defined in the measurement strategy. AES: No Comment

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Date modified:: 2012-02-03