Public Accounts committee  Obviously, yes, if there's been an issue raised, that's one issue on the table.

Public Accounts committee  Not as much, it is exceptional for us to recruit from civil society; we recruit mainly from the Public Service.

Public Accounts committee  Yes. For various reasons, deputy ministers sometimes take a sabbatical. This can be done in international organizations such as the World Bank or the International Monetary Fund. There is also the Skelton-Clark program at Queen’s University. These are programs or posts that are sometimes used for a deputy minister’s sabbatical or during a period of transition.

Public Accounts committee  It can be at university. Indeed, there are sometimes arrangements made with universities.

Public Accounts committee  It depends on the circumstances. In the Skelton-Clark example, the government continues to pay their salaries. In the case of international organizations such as the World Bank, that organization pays the salary. It depends.

Public Accounts committee  Yes. There is a feedback process during annual appraisal. The comments are passed on to the deputy and that is also the occasion for the deputy minister to discuss his or her future projects with the Clerk. Most of these people are in their fifties. The number of years they wish to continue working before taking retirement is thus a consideration.

Public Accounts committee  We take them into account wherever practicable.

Public Accounts committee  Other needs must be weighed.

Public Accounts committee  Yes, that's taken into account. The assessment made on the basis of performance with respect to management issues is covered, first and foremost, by the input provided by the Secretary of the Treasury Board and covers issues such as that.

Public Accounts committee  Well, there again, it's the input provided by the Treasury Board Secretariat that is key. That's the input we—

Public Accounts committee  There are 29 deputy ministers heading the ministries.

Public Accounts committee  The Clerk of the Privy Council makes recommendations to the Prime Minister on the appointment of deputy ministers; appointments are made by the Governor in Council upon recommendation by the Prime Minister.

Public Accounts committee  No. Contrary to other systems of government elsewhere in the world, Canada’s Public Service is non-partisan and apolitical so as to ensure continuity when there is a change in government. When there is a change in government, the transition becomes a major challenge for the Public Service.

Public Accounts committee  There is a variety of reasons. A change of structure within the government can happen in such a way that certain departments need to be reorganized. A deputy minister may retire and that can create a domino effect: he is replaced by someone and another vacant post must therefore be filled.

Public Accounts committee  It is completely apolitical. There is no political influence related to this issue. The Privy Council Office is constantly developing lists of persons with a demonstrated aptitude for becoming deputy minister someday.