Panel said little about not-for-profit sector

Alberta is in a critical financial situation and new long-term approaches are required. The Blue Ribbon Panel on Alberta’s Finances presents many opportunities and options in a logical and future-focused manner.

But what is missing?

This report was released last week with 26 comprehensive, decisive recommendations on health, education, advanced education, publicsector compensation and capital spending. Other areas covered included program review, enhancing Alberta’s competitiveness, and keeping Alberta’s budget balanced.

What is very clear is that an Alberta approach is necessary. Previous governments have tried many methods to change the channel and jump off the roller-coaster of dependence on oil and gas revenues, coping with debt payments and achieving a balanced budget. A new fiscal framework is required to deal with future balanced budgets. Also needed is a plan to retire the accumulated debt based upon government’s operating and capital budgeting, fiscal planning and public reporting processes and systems.

My experience with four premiers in different ministries determined that many programs and services in departments did not have consistent cross-ministry performance and accountability measures. For example, former premier Jim Prentice tasked all ministers to seek efficiencies in every department through the consolidation of agencies, boards and commissions and other initiatives.

Even with this challenge, there was excellent work with all involved, including MLAS, ministers, deputy ministers, and the public service, toward the elimination of systemic barriers. Much of this effort was through Treasury Board and the Deputy Ministers’ Council.

My point is that sometimes good intentions aren’t enough — bold decisions are required.

Recommendation No. 19 states that “the province needs to undertake a comprehensive approach to a program review that includes all departments; agencies, boards and commissions; and the wider public sector. This should provide a principled and thoughtful cross-government approach to looking at the effectiveness and efficiency of government service delivery in the public interest.”

I wholeheartedly support this recommendation, as it is important to look inward to empower the public service to be the change. “The public service can be and has to be the catalyst to deliver a differentiated Alberta experience and reimagine work.” This ongoing work will ensure transformational and fundamental change happens in an integrated, inclusive, engaged, and citizen-centred public service.

The mandate of the panel was very focused, but what is missing are the interactions with the more than 26,000 non-profit/voluntary sector organizations that represent sectors like sports and recreation, arts and culture, environment, newcomer settlement, housing, social services, community development, education and research, volunteerism, faith groups, agriculture and more. After all, many of these incredible organizations are recipients of funds from more than one department and tracking of these grants can be a complex exercise.

An additional aspect of program reviews is, “it needs to be grounded in principles that include a commitment to improving outcomes for Albertans, protecting services for the most vulnerable citizens (except services that are not achieving intended results), ensuring the best possible use of government resources, respecting the interests of taxpayers, and careful consideration of intergenerational issues.”

Another missing part of the puzzle here is how does one define “intended results,” especially as it relates to the many agencies who serve vulnerable citizens.

The acknowledgment of the human-services sector is brief for this report and will be part of in-depth discussions in the future.

Information from the Blue Ribbon Panel report is currently being used in planning Budget 2019 for this fall and there are occasions ahead to continue this conversation. This means ensuring your voice is at the table whether you are a community member, public servant, non-profit agency or business leader.

It will take time to reach the goal of a sustainable fiscal future and we need to be strategic.