Committee members noted many of the same concerns that they had with the other departments in the social envelope. It is hoped that many of these concerns are one-time anomalies that can be attributed to the usual frantic activity that accompanies a change in government. The committee looks forward to the department addressing the following concerns in the next business plan cycle.

Some of the documents and studies that the department used to justify the business plan had not been previously supplied to the committee. Members of the committee can hardly be expected to offer meaningful comment on the business plan if they do not have the necessary background information. The Accountability and Oversight Committee will be making a recommendation on this issue.

Members are concerned that the level of detail in the department overheads are better than the information supplied to the committee in the business plan or main estimates. The business plans and main estimates become public records. The financial figures and statements that are used to justify these business plans and main estimates should also become part of the public record. Under the present system this is not possible. The Accountability and Oversight Committee will be making a recommendation to include this information in the business plan.

As with other departments, the committee is disappointed in the lack of baseline information and the lack of measurable targets and goals. The department has 12 years of baseline information. Without including this type of information, committee members are unable to measure progress, or lack thereof, in a department on a year to year basis.

The committee appreciated the Minister's commitment to provide this type of information for the current business plan. The committee looks forward to reviewing the new targets, goals and baseline information in the near future.

Committee members believe there is a need for clear targets that the department should try and achieve over a defined period. The Accountability and Oversight Committee will be making a recommendation on the need for all government departments to improve their reporting and measurement criteria for business plans.