Crown Agencies Secretariat Profile | INGOA

Canada - Crown Agencies Secretariat, British Columbia

The Crown Agencies Secretariat (CAS) is a central agency in the British Columbia Ministry of Finance that provides advice related to Crown Agency governance and performance. The Chief Executive Officer of CAS reports to the Deputy Minister of Finance and Secretary to Treasury Board and is supported by 9 staff with an annual budget of CD$1.5 million.

Crown agencies have a minister with a relevant portfolio appointed to them by Cabinet to be responsible for the Legislative Assembly. Under this framework, the Board of Directors of each Crown Agency is accountable to Cabinet through the designated Minister Responsible and each Minister Responsible is accountable to the Legislative Assembly for the performance of his or her portfolio of Crown Agencies.

CAS role

CAS maintains the Crown Agency Accountability System that defines the governance structure between government and its Crown Agencies, and ensures that Cabinet, Ministers Responsible, Ministries, Crown Agency Boards of Directors and their respective staff are provided with the support and information required to undertake their respective roles and responsibilities within the Accountability System.

CAS provides financial analysis and oversight for the Province's six major Commercial Crown corporations. Commercial Crown corporations are revenue generating corporations that obtain fees for goods and service delivered. Service delivery Crown corporations are taxpayer-supported corporations that deliver goods and /or services based on Ministry policy and are generally funded from ministry appropriations. Ministry staff are accountable for supporting their Ministers responsible and ensuring that the requirements of the Crown Agency Accountability System are met. CAS supports Ministry staff as required to fulfil these functions.

CAS also provides performance management advice to government and Crown Agencies (e.g., Service Plan and Annual Report Guidelines) and develops advice for government on policy issues that impact the entire Crown Agency sector. CAS may assist with the start up, wind down or mandate direction for specific Crown Agencies.

CAS Outputs

The British Columbia Crown Agency Accountability System is set out in a Shareholder's Expectation Manual (Review Edition published in April 2006) and related detailed guidelines soon to be released on establishing a Crown Agency, providing mandate and policy direction; service planning and annual reporting, and dissolution of Crown Agencies. CAS provides advice to Ministers Responsible, Ministries and Crown Agencies on all aspects of the System.
CAS oversees the process for the development of Shareholder's Letters of Expectation, which, after review by Cabinet, are executed by Ministers Responsible on behalf of the Shareholder and the Chairs of Boards of Directors on behalf of Crown Agencies. Shareholder Letters of Expectation, which are reviewed annually and published on the CAS website, are an agreement on the respective roles and responsibilities of the Shareholder and Crown Agency, and cover issues such as corporate mandate, high-level performance expectations, public policy issues and strategic priorities.
CAS publishes and annually updates guidelines for Service [strategic] Plans and Annual Reports that are required under the Budget Transparency and Accountability Act. Service Plans include objectives, performance measures and targets for each Crown agency, and must be aligned to government's overall strategic plan. Annual Reports include standard financial reporting as well as reporting on performance relative to Service Plan targets. CAS provides advice to Ministers Responsible and Crown Agencies in its commercial Crown Agency portfolio, as well as support to Ministries for other Crown Agencies.
CAS coordinates the integration of commercial Crown Agencies into British Columbia's overall budget and fiscal plan. CAS provides advice to the Minister of Finance and Treasury Board related to the financial projections prepared by the Crown Agencies in its portfolio.
CAS is in the process of developing more detailed quarterly performance reporting for the Minister of Finance and Ministers Responsible.

CAS Portfolio

Large Commercial Crown Corporations

BC Hydro and Power Authority (BC Hydro)	BC Hydro is the 3^rd largest electric utility in Canada and services over 94% of British Columbia's population. It generates and distributes the majority of its power through a hydroelectric system that provides some of the lowest rates in the world. Cost-based rates are subject to regulation by the British Columbia Utility Commission, an independent regulator established by provincial legislation.
Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC)	ICBC is one of Canada's largest property and casualty insurers and provides universal basic automobile insurance to motorists in British Columbia. ICBC competes with other insurance companies in the sale of optional insurance coverage products. Rates on universal basic insurance are regulated by the British Columbia Utility Commission, an independent regulator established by provincial legislation. ICBC also invests in loss management and road safety programs to reduce crashes, fraud and theft, and administers vehicle licensing and registration.
British Columbia Transmission Corporation (BCTC)	BCTC manages British Columbia's high-voltage transmission system by operating, maintaining, planning and expanding the transmission assets owned by BC Hydro. BCTC ensures open access to the transmission system and works effectively with regional counterparts and neighbouring systems in Alberta and the United States. BCTC's and capital plans are also subject to review and approval by the British Columbia Utility Commission.
British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC)	BCLC conducts, manages and operates lottery, casino and bingo gaming in accordance with the Gaming Control Act. The majority of BCLC's sales and services are contracted through private sector business partners.
British Columbia Railway Company (BCRC)	Until 2004, BCRC operated a major industrial freight railway in British Columbia. Since 2004, BCRC only owns the rail right of way, rail bed and track infrastructure that supports the railway, while freight services are delivered by a private sector lessee. BCRC maintains 24 miles of residual track and manages operations for 3 major railways' access to port facilities at Roberts Bank. BCRC other subsidiaries include a port facility in North Vancouver, and real estate company which is disposing of properties not required to support the industrial freight railway lease.
Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB)	LDB is responsible for the importation, distribution and retailing of beverage alcohol in British Columbia. LDB has the sole right to purchase beverage alcohol, both in and out of British Columbia. Liquor retailing is managed through a blended system of government liquor stores and privately own retail stores.

Service Delivery Crown Corporations

There are 29 corporations with total appropriations from government totalling approximately CD$1billion. Services are varied and include public transportation, property assessment, event management of the BC summer and winter games, government assisted housing, promotion of public-private partnerships, legal aid, and regulation of security trading.

For more information see the CAS website: Crown Agencies Secretariat.