Status of Women committee  I think we do have mechanisms and tools in place. I think we're building on them. I think the interdepartmental committee is at a very senior level--it's ADMs--and I don't know whether going to a deputy level would actually accomplish or achieve much more than that. As I say, I t

Status of Women committee  I'd like to add something on the policy process. As Mr. Wild was saying, our role is to ensure that we have a robust policy process and that the information provided to ministers is as complete as possible, based on whatever information or data we may have, in respect of an ini

Status of Women committee  Certainly. At the Privy Council Office we have a designated champion at a very senior level, a senior official who was appointed two years ago with the position. GBA has been incorporated. There's an annual training session provided with the expertise of Status of Women Canada to

Status of Women committee  Just to comment on the first question, in terms of the role of the Status of Women, I think the system the way it has been designed in terms of the interdepartmental process is intended to get at that very issue. The fact that you have departments around the table to challenge, e

Status of Women committee  I'll let Mr. Wild talk to you in terms of the policy. There is the overall policy on evaluation, and it's up to departments, of course. Departments are responsible for undertaking program evaluations, but as I said, it's a matter of looking at program effectiveness and impacts an

Status of Women committee  In terms of parliamentary processes, yes.

Status of Women committee  Well, policy initiative that's gone through a policy development process, as I outlined, because as I say, the budget is set in a broad context. Finance will be able to speak to you better next week, when you meet with them, in terms of the various processes and considerations th

Status of Women committee  In terms of strengthening the process, I think we've already put in place a number of measures. I think, as we've indicated in terms of having champions and ensuring that as part of initiatives coming forward, we can build on that. I think in the last two years we've moved the ya

Status of Women committee  There is no regular schedule, but it meets as necessary. The last meeting was in December 2007, so about two months ago. The role of the committee is to review how things are progressing and address any questions people have in terms of advancing issues.

Status of Women committee  That has not been implemented. On the process that's been established in terms of MCs, many items can come forward to cabinet committee, and deputies of course are engaged in many issues in terms of running their departments and ultimately in terms of initiatives that come forwa

Status of Women committee  As a general comment, the budget process, which is the responsibility of Finance, is informed by a number of factors. It is also informed by a broad policy context. It's informed by the government's priorities, as set out in the Speech from the Throne, and platform commitments. S

Status of Women committee  Before Joe comments, could I just add that there is a component of program evaluation, and programs like EI, for example, have to do annual monitoring and assessment reports to Parliament. Looking at issues of effectiveness and implications and impacts, as I say, these would be

Status of Women committee  I'm not aware, but I think your question should probably be directed to Finance when you meet with them next week on the budgeting process.

Status of Women committee  No. As I've said, we're continuing to always try to make our analysis and our support as effective as it can be, but there have been no directives.

Status of Women committee  I think in the central agencies it's having the role of GBA champions. Certainly in PCO it's been approximately two years that we've had a GBA champion. I think that helps to ensure that there is focus and attention on it. It helps to ensure that there is appropriate training and