Home / Corporate Reporting / DPR – 2003-2004 – Index / Section 1 – Message of Chair – NRTEE – DPR – 2003-2004

Section 1 – Message of Chair – NRTEE – DPR – 2003-2004

 Section 1: Message from the Chair and the Executive Director 

We are pleased to present the Performance Report of the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy (NRTEE) for the year ended March 31, 2004.

This year for the first time the NRTEE has been able to systematically address the issue of results through ongoing performance measurement and a newly established evaluation function. These efforts, including feedback from evaluations and the use of results chains for each of our programs, have proven extremely useful in focusing the attention of staff and members on core strengths and competencies and in helping us separate priorities from what is of secondary importance. We are applying what we learned this year as we plan new programs and other areas of endeavour for the next.

The most important indicator of success is the usefulness of our advice to our key client, the federal government. Evaluations confirmed that the NRTEE is consistently viewed by executive- and program-level federal officials as an important source of policy advice, respected for its credibility, neutrality and relevance. These officials believe that the NRTEE has the potential to add "very significant" value on issues of national importance. The government's recent announcement of funding to build on the NRTEE's environment and sustainable development indicators illustrates how our efforts have led to greater recognition of the need to intergrate environmental and economic goals.

Beyond the federal system, decision makers across the country also recognized the value of our work in areas such as the development of national indicators, brownfield redevelopment and urban sustainability. As a further confirmation of success, we received the 2004 Arthur Kroeger College Award for Policy Leadership, for serving as a model in issue definition and in successfully advancing the policy process through innovative leadership.

While the news was generally positive, we also noted important areas for improvement. Federal executives expect us to provide a broader context and higher-level, strategic advice for sustainable development, an option we will be considering as we plan for the next few years. We must also do a better job of reaching senior officials to improve their awareness of our work and to ensure the effective coordination of efforts around common concerns.

All Canadians benefit when decisions affecting our environment and the economy are based on careful analysis and advice. The NRTEE helps decision makers to integrate these vital considerations. We will continue to improve the way in which we provide this valuable service in the next fiscal year.

Harvey L. Mead Chair		Eugene Nyberg Acting Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer