Thank you, Mr. Chairman. A human resources management system is more than just planning and performance evaluation. A management system also includes day-to-day coaching and feedback on the job, empowering front line staff, promoting excellent services to the public, reinforcing good behaviour appropriately and redirecting poor performers.

The committee should not have to wait until the Minister's annual report is tabled to find out the current status. It appears from the Minister's response that the department is not thoroughly familiar with contemporary organizational management systems. We cannot wait for departments to enter the modern era on their own. The Department of Personnel must provide support and leadership to drive management development throughout the civil service.

It is also clear from the department's responses that they do not understand 1992-93 recommendation two of this committee. Recommendation two has nothing to do with the pay equity study as the Minister suggested in his appearance before the committee. Further, you do not have to wait to determine the financial situation of the government before you determine the guidelines for pay negotiation -- if it is not yet clear in anybody's mind, we do not have enough money to house the homeless, educate the uneducated or save the suicidal. We must pay a fair day's wage for a fair day's work -- no more, no less. However, the overall salary burden must be reduced significantly and funds redirected. We must ask our employees to also do their share in these tough times.

The committee suggests that the department undertake a comprehensive review of all job descriptions with a view to ensuring that the required qualifications are realistic and that there is enough flexibility to accommodate the affirmative action policy.

Senior bureaucrats must be held accountable in upholding government policy. This requirement is particularly evident in the area of monitoring and enforcing compliance with the affirmative action policy.

The job of the Department of Personnel is to ensure the government gets the most from its human resources -- efficiently, effectively and economically. The department can no longer be only reactive -- it must be pro-active. Productivity in government can and must be measured.

Mr. Chairman, I have some recommendations.