Goals, Objectives, Strategies and Results

1. Citizens are informed of government policies, programs and services
2. Government communicates in an open and transparent manner

Public Affairs Bureau contributes to all Five Great Goals by:

1. Communicating the Province's policies and programs to the public.
2. Ensuring that themes identified in the government Strategic Plan are reflected in communications strategies as appropriate.

The Public Affairs Bureau supports a number of cross ministry initiatives by coordinating communications planning, providing communications advice and implementing communications activities. Cross ministry initiatives the Bureau is involved in include:

Act Now BC

ActNow BC, led by the Ministry of Tourism, Sport and the Arts, combines cross government and community-based approaches to promote healthy living choices for British Columbians. The programs and initiatives champion healthy eating, physical activity, ending tobacco use, and healthy choices during pregnancy.

Crystal Meth Strategy

Government's Crystal Meth Strategy, led by the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General, targets the use and production of Crystal Meth through an integrated framework that strengthens partnerships amongst communities, service providers and law enforcement agencies. The Crystal Meth Secretariat was established in 2005 to support new and continuing initiatives based on prevention, treatment and enforcement.

New Relationship

The Government of British Columbia is leading the nation in developing a New Relationship with First Nations and Aboriginal people. Guided by principles of trust, and by recognition and respect of First Nations' rights and title, we are building a stronger and healthier relationship between government and Aboriginal people. By working together, we will bring tangible social and economic benefits to Aboriginal people across the Province and narrow the gap between Aboriginal people and other British Columbians.

Performance Plan

British Columbians will be informed of the programs and services provided by government and understand the challenges the government faces by providing information through a variety of sources including Members of the Legislative Assembly, media, public events and forums, public policy studies, fact-based public information and awareness initiatives as well as a variety of communications support materials.

Ensuring all British Columbians receive information that is timely, relevant and readily accessible regarding government policies and programs is essential to informing British Columbians of the programs and services available from government and the decisions taken by government on their behalf.

Government's ability to communicate information to the public that is timely, relevant and readily accessible can be measured by ensuring that evaluation mechanisms are included in major communications plans/campaigns and by undertaking performance monitoring activities.

By communicating in an open and transparent manner, citizens will understand the challenges faced by government related to the policy decisions taken on their behalf; have access to information regarding the direction of government programs and services over a three-year period; and have access to information regarding the accomplishments of government in the previous year.

Ensuring all British Columbians have access to or receive consistent information regarding government's policies and programs is essential to informing citizens of government planning decisions and accomplishments.

Ensuring British Columbians have access to or receive fact-based information regarding government policies and programs is essential to allowing citizens to form opinions based on fact and allows for informed public debate on decisions taken.

Government's ability to communicate fact-based information to the public can be measured by response to media enquiries.