ACCOUNTABILITY

Governments recognize the important role that accountability plays in an effective, long-term approach towards reaching our shared goal of improving the labour market situation of persons with disabilities. Public reporting forms the basis of accountability under this framework, which reflects the commitments made under the Social Union Framework Agreement to monitor and measure outcomes of social programs and report regularly to citizens on the performance of these programs.

Measuring and reporting on program and societal indicators and undertaking evaluation activities are crucial to assessing progress towards enhancing program effectiveness and ultimately improving the employment situation of persons with disabilities.

Accountability activities will be guided by:

• Partnership and cooperation;
• Transparency and commitment to public reporting;
• A focus on results;
• Commitment to continual improvement based on evaluation and reporting, feedback from stakeholders and the public.

Governments agree to work together on research and knowledge development and dissemination, and to share information on effective practices. Ministers recognize the role of the disability community and agree that their Governments will consult, as appropriate, to inform the development of effective policies and programs and review results and progress under this framework.

Governments agree to report on program and societal indicators, beginning in 2005 and annually thereafter. Each jurisdiction will release its report publicly on December 3, the International Day of Disabled Persons.

Governments also agree to publicly release baseline reports on December 3, 2004. These baseline reports will include objectives, descriptions, target populations, and planned expenditures for programs and services funded under this Framework, and societal indicators as outlined in this Framework.

Each government will make its report widely available to the public, including by posting on the Internet. Governments will develop a joint communications effort consisting of common messaging to be used on an opt-in basis.

Ministers will receive regular updates on how governments are meeting their reporting commitments.

Reporting on Program Indicators

Governments will report annually to their citizens on programs and services funded under this framework to demonstrate the activities undertaken to improve the employment situation of persons with disabilities.

Jurisdictions commit to reporting on employment-related indicators where data is available. When data is not readily available, provinces and territories can undertake evaluation, as set out in the Evaluation Framework, or utilize surveys to report on these indicators. Provinces and territories will determine the timing of evaluations.

Reporting under this initiative will include objectives, descriptions, target populations, and expenditures for programs and services funded under this Framework. Reporting will also include the following indicators:

a) Number of participants in programs and services;
b) Number of participants completing a program or service where there is a specific start and end point to the intervention;
c) Number of participants who obtained or were maintained in employment where the program or service supports this activity.

Ministers recognize that refining accountability and performance measures is a continuous process. Jurisdictions are committed to reporting to their constituents on their programs and will strive to improve the quality and effectiveness of reporting over time.

The application of federal policy on accountability for federal transfers takes into account the comprehensive accountability mechanisms that provinces and territories have in place.

Provincial/territorial governments agree to recognize the financial contribution of Canada under this Framework in their annual reports.

Reporting on Societal Indicators

Ministers agree to report on societal indicators of labour market participation for their jurisdiction or at the national level, subject to data availability. Common indicators include:

1. Employment rate of working age persons with disabilities;
2. Employment income;
3. Education attainment.

Governments may choose to report on other indicators as appropriate.