Purpose, Vision, Mission and Values
Purpose
The Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance provides income and disability assistance, and employment programs for British Columbians in need. These programs are administered under the BC Employment and Assistance program (BCEA), and are guided by the Employment and Assistance Act and the Employment and Assistance for Persons with Disabilities Act, which came into force in September 2002.
Vision, Mission and Values
Vision
The Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance envisions a province in which British Columbians in need are assisted to achieve their social and economic potential.
Mission
The Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance provides services that move people toward sustainable employment and assist individuals and families in need.
Values
The ministry continued to be guided by the British Columbia Public Service's core values of Integrity, Fiscal Responsibility, Accountability, Respect, and Choice. Building on this foundation, the ministry identified additional values that shape the design and delivery of its unique programs and services, and define its relationships with clients, partners, and staff. These values support the Government's broader strategic plan and priorities.
The ministry's values are:
- Personal responsibility — Personal responsibility was emphasized by assisting clients who were able to work to find employment and achieve independence. The ministry supported the efforts of clients who are working to enhance their self-reliance and involvement in their communities.
- Active participation — Clients who are able to work are required to actively seek employment. The ministry supported these efforts with work search and job placement services, targeted employment training, and tools such as employment plans. The ministry provided additional specialized supports to Persons with Disabilities to maximize their self-reliance.
- Dignity and respect — The ministry committed to treating all members of the public with equity and fairness, upholding the principles of dignity and respect through open communication, building effective relationships, and maintaining high ethical standards.
- Innovative partnerships — The ministry began developing creative and innovative ways for delivering client-centered services, as well as working with a range of service providers and external agencies.
- Citizen confidence — Maintaining public confidence in ministry programs and services is fundamental to realizing the ministry's long-term objective of providing a sustainable income assistance system that provides for those most in need.
- Fairness and transparency — The ministry supported the values of administrative fairness and transparency by informing clients of all reasons a decision was made, and providing access to a fair and impartial review of the original decision through reconsideration and appeal.
- Clear outcomes — The ministry continued setting well-defined goals for itself and for clients as outlined in their employment plans.
- Accountability for results — Through performance management systems, the ministry is accountable to government and all British Columbians for the results it achieves.
While these values underlay the delivery of the ministry's programs and services, staff from across the ministry and all regions of the province led a comprehensive review and confirmation of common organizational values during the past year. The refined Values and a new Service Code, which resulted from this broad-based staff engagement, will provide the basis for a new relationship between staff and clients over the coming years. For information on the ministry's new Values and Service Code, see Appendix A.
