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Goals, Objectives, Strategies and Performance Measures

The Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation’s goals, objectives, strategies and performance measures serve as the framework that defines what the Ministry intends to achieve during the life of its service plan, and the means for gauging and reporting on performance with respect to its stated goals and objectives. The performance measures play an important role in driving accountability and transparency by communicating the Ministry’s priorities and accomplishments to the public, legislators and stakeholders.

Targets for the Ministry’s performance measures are generated by considering historical trends associated with the measures and determining reasonable performance expectations during the period covered by this service plan.

The baselines for key performance indicators are predicated on available data from a variety of sources. The availability of complete data sets varies from key indicator to key indicator; therefore, the most recent year available for each indicator constitutes the baseline and has been identified by footnote.

The goals of the Ministry will be met by focusing the majority of its efforts in three areas:

  • closing socio-economic gaps between Aboriginal people and other British Columbians;
  • building respectful relationships with Aboriginal people; and
  • concluding treaties and other lasting agreements.

In addition to these goals, the Ministry is also actively engaged in meeting government’s goal of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to be part of a carbon neutral public sector by 2010. The Ministry has begun immediate steps to reduce its corporate carbon footprint through reductions in travel, more efficient energy use in its office space, enhanced recycling and composting, and other operational and procedural changes that will generate climate change benefits. In addition, the Ministry has committed to measuring and reducing GHG emissions associated with all Ministry operations and programs in order to achieve government targets and to working with First Nations and other ministries to advance government’s green agenda.

Goal 1: Improved social and economic outcomes for Aboriginal people

The Transformative Change Accord and Métis Nation Relationship Accord set out the goals for closing the significant differences that exist between Aboriginal people and British Columbians on important social and economic indicators. These gaps developed over decades and will not be closed immediately. As a result, key performance indicators may see modest substantive reportable progress on an annual basis over the next three years; nonetheless the target is to close the gap by 2015.

Objective 1.1: Monitor and report progress on key performance indicators associated with closing the socio-economic gap

While other ministries and Crown agencies are directly responsible for action on key performance indicators, the Ministry plays a central role supporting implementation plans and providing critical information about progress on closing the gaps not only to the parties involved but also to the public.

Strategies

  • Monitor and report on activities and progress towards meeting the goals of the Transformative Change Accord and Métis Nation Relationship Accord.
  • Promote discussions on and evaluation of key performance indicators such as: high school completion rates by Aboriginal students; off-reserve Aboriginal household in core housing needs; life expectancy at birth; and unemployment rates.
  • Support work by other ministries on closing the socio-economic gap such as: child and family service arrangements by MCFS; and policing, administration of justice, corrections and safety initiatives by PSSG.
  • Facilitate and support collaboration on socio-economic gap initiatives among Aboriginal and First Nation organizations, all levels of government and the private sector.
Measure Baseline 2008/09
Target		 2009/10
Target		 2010/11
Target
Monitor and report progress on closing the social and economic gaps. First NR/TCA Progress report published (Winter/07) Annual Progress Report Annual Progress Report Annual Progress Report
Data Source:  Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation will gather performance indicator data from a variety of sources in its annual progress report (NR/TCA refers to the New Relationship and Transformative Change Accord).

Objective 1.2: Development of culturally appropriate policies, programs and services

Participation by our Aboriginal partners in the development and implementation of culturally appropriate policies, programs and services facilitates outcomes that help close socio-economic gaps. The Ministry does not necessarily deliver programs or services but works with other ministries, Crown agencies and the federal government to support the development of policies, programs and services in collaboration with Aboriginal people and organizations.

Strategies

  • Lead and/or support the negotiation and implementation of agreements that contribute to addressing socio-economic disparities.
  • Support development of policies and initiatives in partnership with Aboriginal people.
  • Support delivery of programs and services in partnership with Aboriginal people.
Measure 2006/07
Baseline		 2008/09
Target		 2009/10
Target		 2010/11
Target
Number of new provincial policies and initiatives that have been developed collaboratively with Aboriginal people and First Nations. 5 15 20 25
Data Source:  Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation and ministries participating in the implementation of Transformative Change Accord and the Métis Nation Relationship Accord.

Goal 2: Respectful and constructive relationships with Aboriginal people

In order for the New  Relationship to be successful, relationships must be based on principles of mutual respect, recognition and reconciliation of Aboriginal and treaty rights.

Objective 2.1: Aboriginal people possess the capacity necessary to enable meaningful engagement with government

Aboriginal people require tools and appropriate resources to participate in engagements such as negotiations, consultation frameworks and program and service delivery.

Strategies:

  • Support and co-ordinate action by ministries and Crown agencies towards a New Relationship.
  • Support capacity development and governance enhancement for Aboriginal governments and organizations.
  • Support First Nations language, culture and heritage initiatives.
  • Support Aboriginal community and economic development.
  • Co -ordinate and streamline consultation processes.
Measure Baseline 2008/09
Target		 2009/10
Target		 2010/11
Target
Improvements in Aboriginal organizations’ and First Nations’ capacity to participate in government engagements. Under development +5% +7% +10%
Data Source:  Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation based on questionnaire to Aboriginal organizations and First Nations.

Objective 2.2: Increase awareness of Aboriginal values and diversity among British Columbians

An essential part of forging respectful relationships with Aboriginal people includes an increased awareness by British Columbians of Aboriginal people’s history, culture and heritage.

Strategies:

  • Build and facilitate partnerships with Aboriginal people.
  • Support recognition of Aboriginal language, culture and heritage.
  • Lead and support Aboriginal awareness initiatives within the public sector and British Columbia.
Measure Baseline 2008/09
Target		 2009/10
Target		 2010/11
Target
Percentage of people expressing positive awareness of diversity and value of Aboriginal cultures. Under development +1.5% +2% +3%
Data Source:  Survey conducted by BC Stats with participation by the Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation.

Goal 3: Reconciliation of Aboriginal and treaty rights

The Province is committed to the reconciliation of Aboriginal and treaty rights. Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982 entrenches Aboriginal and treaty rights into the fabric of Canada. For more than 30 years, the courts have directed government to negotiate rather than litigate the resolution of these outstanding issues. Most recently, the Haida and Taku River decisions obligate the Province to consult with and, as appropriate, accommodate First Nations where government decisions or activities may adversely affect Aboriginal or treaty rights.

Objective 3.1: Conclude agreements that lead to the reconciliation of Aboriginal and treaty rights

While final treaty agreements are the Province’s preferred means of reconciling Aboriginal rights and title with those of the Crown, other types of agreements can also contribute to reconciliation. For instance, a number of First Nations are discussing incremental agreements which will yield beneficial results in the short term which can be built on over time towards longer term final treaties. In addition, the Province has entered into consultation protocols with First Nations that already have treaties.

Strategies:

  • Support agreements among First Nations, government and local governments.
  • Lead and support the negotiation of agreements that contribute to reconciliation of Aboriginal and treaty rights.
  • Negotiate treaties and incremental agreements that lead to treaty.
  • Lead and support the implementation of treaties and other agreements.
Measure Actual/
Baseline		 2008/09
Target		 2009/10
Target		 2010/11
Target
Number of treaties and agreements that build incremental progress towards reconciliation. 9 10 13 17
Data Source:  Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation and other ministries and Crown agencies as appropriate (i.e., includes treaty process agreements and non-treaty process agreements).

Objective 3.2: Increase Aboriginal people’s access to economic opportunities

Providing more access to economic opportunities results in economic benefits for all British Columbians. Aboriginal participation in business ventures and resource development contributes to British Columbia’s prosperity.

Strategies:

  • Champion access to business venture and economic development opportunities through resource development agreements, benefit agreements and other strategic agreements.
  • Facilitate access to training and skills development as well as support systems associated with economic development.
  • Support employment initiatives in the private and public sectors.
  • Support Aboriginal and First Nations access to land and resource tenures.
Measure Actual/
Baseline		 2008/09
Target		 2009/10
Target		 2010/11
Target
Agreements and initiatives that provide economic opportunities to Aboriginal people. 4 5 10 20
Data Source:  Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation and other ministries and Crown agencies as appropriate (i.e., includes agreements that provide revenues, economic benefits and jobs to Aboriginal people).
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