2002/03 Annual Service Plan Report Ministry of Human Resources

Performance Reporting

Fiscal 2002/03 was the first year for which the ministry prepared a service plan. During the plan's development, a number of key initiatives — including the BC Employment and Assistance Program — were in the conceptual phase, and the ministry was in the early stages of adopting a more accountable performance reporting approach.

During the year, the ministry implemented a range of new programs and services, and gained practical experience in their operation. It adjusted its goals and improved its capacity for measuring performance. In response to these changes, the measures in the 2003/04 – 2005/06 service plan have been refined to more accurately assess the ministry's work.

To reflect these improvements, this Annual Service Plan Report includes both original (2002/03) and refined (2003/04) performance measures for ministry goals and objectives. This "dual" approach to performance reporting may continue for several years, as the ministry's performance management continues to evolve.

The ministry's 2002/03 service plan included four performance targets which are described in this section of the report. Three of these targets were met, while the fourth became unnecessary as a result of program changes during the year. For other performance measures in the service plan, baselines were established during the fiscal year.

The following pages describe each 2002/03 measure, organized by goal in the service plan. Each is accompanied by the strategy that was identified to work toward its achievement, and the quantifiable measure that was used to track progress. In cases where a new measure was identified during the fiscal year to replace the original one, the new measure is described, and, where available, 2002/03 data for it is provided. Because most of the ministry's key programs were new, little historical data is available to allow comparisons over time.

All of the measures outlined here originally appeared in the 2002/03 ministry service plan, with the exception of the final one in this report, which relates to deregulation. This additional measure is included here to reflect how the ministry has worked to meet the government's deregulation mandate.

Goal 1: BC Employment and Assistance Clients Achieve Independence Through Sustained Employment

Goal 2: BC Employment and Assistance Services Support Self-reliance

Goal 3: BC Employment and Assistance Services Clients' Basic Health Needs are Met

Goal 4: The Ministry is an Accountable Organization

Deregulation

Strategy

Reduce regulatory requirements by one-third.

Results

As part of the government's New Era commitment and the government's 2002/03 – 2004/05 Strategic Plan, ministries agreed to reduce regulatory requirements by one-third over a three-year period. In June 2001, the ministry set a target to reduce regulatory requirements by 688 by June 2004. The ministry had achieved over 91 per cent of this target by the end of 2002/03 fiscal year. By the end of the fiscal year, there were 30 per cent fewer regulations than in June 2001.

A simpler and more understandable legislative framework for B.C.'s income assistance system has reduced redundancy and regulatory overlap. By approaching the target ahead of schedule, the ministry supports government's steady progress toward its deregulation goals.