Premier's Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities - Mandate and Roles
- Mandate and Accountability
- Recruitment and Appointment of Council Members
- Premier's Council Duties and Responsibilities
- Department's Responsibility
- Interaction between Premier's Council and Department
- Mandate Document Review Process
1. Mandate and Accountability
Mandate
Created under the Premier's Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities Act (1988), the Premier's Council is an advisory body accountable to the Premier through the Minister of Seniors and Community Supports. The Premier's Council is responsible for gathering information in relation to topics of concern and interest to the disability community and translating this information into advice to Government. The Minister may also provide specific direction to the Premier's Council as part of the annual business planning process. Attached are the Terms of Reference and legislation.
Mission
The mission of the Premier's Council is to advise on, report to, and make recommendations to the Government on matters relating to the opportunity for full and equal participation of persons with disabilities in the life of the Province. It does this by listening to the opinions of the disability community, communicating these ideas and concerns to the Government and the broader community, and working with governments, community organisations and other stakeholders toward solutions.
Council's Accountability
Council members must act honestly, in good faith, leaving aside personal interests to advance the public interest and the mandate of the Council. The Council is accountable to the Premier, through the Minister, in the fulfilment of its mandate and implementation of its strategic and operational plans.
Minister's Accountability
The Minister of Seniors and Community Supports is accountable to the Premier and the Legislature for the operation of the Premier's Council.
2. Recruitment and Appointment of Council Members
Individuals are recruited and appointed by the Government of Alberta and collectively constitute the Premier's Council. Individuals appointed to the Premier's Council will be subject to the Code of Conduct. Appointment of each member of the Premier's Council is for a fixed term of up to three years. Re-appointments may occur, based on satisfactory performance and mutual agreement, for a second term of up to three years. If the Minister considers it in the best interests of the Council to do so, the Minister may reappoint a Council member for one more term of up to three years.
Appointments to the Premier's Council are established in the Premier's Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities Act:
The Premier's Council shall consist of not more than 15 members appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council.
Not more than two of the members of the Council may be members of the Legislative Assembly.
The Premier's Council will have members who are able to represent the interests of a broad range of stakeholders. The Premier's Council uses a competency matrix for recruitment purposes. The competency matrix outlines the skills, experience, knowledge and diversity that is required for the Premier's Council.
Public member
Members of the public are actively recruited when there are vacancies for Premier's Council positions. The competency matrix includes the desired values, skills, abilities and personal attributes. The recruitment and selection process will be managed by the Human Resource branch of the department. The positions will be publicly advertised and all applicants will be screened against requirements as outlined in the competency matrix. The Chair and Deputy Chair of the Premier's Council will lead the selection process.
The selection process will include screening for conflict of interest and other considerations. Recommendations for appointment will be made to the Minister for consideration. The Minister will submit recommendations to the Premier for approval. The department will formalize appointments through an Order in Council.
Government member
The Premier's Council has at least one member who is a member of the legislative assembly to provide an effective liaison between the Premier's Council and Government. When a vacancy for a government member occurs, the Minister will confer with the Premier to identify a Member of the Legislature to serve on the Premier's Council. The department will formalize the appointment through an Order in Council.
Remuneration
Non-government members of the Premier's Council are entitled to remuneration consistent with the current Committee Remuneration Orders. They are also entitled to reimbursement for travelling and living expenses in accordance with the current Subsistence and Travel Allowance Regulations, as though they were employees of the government. Government members of the Premier's Council are entitled to reimbursement for travelling and living expenses in accordance with current Subsistence and Travel Allowance Regulations.
Remuneration rates and payments will be disclosed by the Premier's Council in the Annual Report.
3. Premier's Council Duties and Responsibilities
Planning
The Premier's Council is responsible for developing, reviewing, approving and monitoring an operational plan as well as longer term strategic plans or other plans as directed by the Minister. The Premier's Council will regularly review the extent to which the current year's operational plan or other goals have been achieved.
Annual Report
In accordance with Section 7 of the Premier's Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities Act, the Premier's Council will prepare and provide an Annual Report to the Minister. The Minister will submit the report to the Premier and it will be tabled in the legislature.
The Annual Report will indicate major activities and accomplishments and the extent to which planned activities and goals were achieved. Relevant financial reports will form part of the Annual Report.
Resource Requirements
The Premier's Council will discuss their resource and support needs with the Director of the Secretariat. Operational and strategic plans will be adjusted as necessary in accordance with the resources and supports agreed to by the Deputy Minister and available from other sources.
Meetings
Meetings of the Council will be held as required, but at least four times a year in accordance with Section 6.2 of the Premier's Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities Act.
Stakeholder and Public Engagement
The Premier's Council will engage stakeholders and the public in order to gather information and become knowledgeable about different perspectives and opinions related to furthering its mission.
Evidence-based Advice
The Premier's Council will make all reasonable efforts to ensure that the advice provided is evidence-based.
Legal Compliance/Statutory Requirements
The Premier's Council is responsible for overseeing compliance with all relevant operational policies and procedures. In addition, the Premier's Council will comply with all applicable laws and regulations, its current Code of Conduct, and ethical standards.
Premier's Council Evaluation
The Premier's Council participates in an annual evaluation and performance review process that includes the Premier's Council itself, its sub-committees, and the Chair of the Council. The Premier's Council reviews the results of such evaluation, discusses potential means to improvement, and adopts action plans in relation to achieving improvements.
External Communications
Members of the Premier's Council are expected to interact with the public to gather information to form its advice and recommendations to the Minister and Government. The Premier's Council will ensure that its activities and any concerns are communicated to the department and Minister in a timely manner.
Council Structure
The Premier's Council may establish sub-committees that support its mandate. Any sub-committees established by the Premier's Council are accountable to the Premier's Council. The current sub-committees are:
- The Policy and Program Review Committee
- The Communications Committee
Other Responsibilities
The Premier's Council is responsible for responding to emerging issues or undertaking new activities as requested by the Minister and/or Premier.
4. Department's Responsibility
The Department of Seniors and Community Supports is responsible for supporting the Premier's Council. This support is provided by a Secretariat that assists the Premier's Council in the following areas:
- Research and policy analysis
- Assistance with strategic, business and operational planning
- Completion of orientation and training of members
- Budget and financial administration
The Minister or her designate(s) is responsible for informing the Premier's Council about any government policies that may affect its work.
5. Interaction between Premier's Council and Department
The primary focus of the Chair of the Premier's Council will be the development of relationships with and engagement of the disability community and the public in fulfilling the mandate of the Premier's Council. The unique role of the MLA representative is to provide a liaison with Government.
The Chair and Deputy Chair of the Premier's Council will work closely with the Secretariat to ensure that the business of the Premier's Council is efficiently and effectively conducted and in alignment with its mandate and the expectations of the Department. The Secretariat is responsible for ensuring that the Council has the support and resources it requires to undertake all associated tasks. The Director of the Secretariat is an ex-officio member of the Premier's Council.
In addition to the activities of the Premier's Council's operational plan, the Department may ask the Council to provide advice on specific issues or opportunities for action.
6. Mandate Document Review Process
This document is in effect for not more than three years from the date it is signed and will be:
- Affirmed annually or on a change in either the Minister or the Premier's Council Chair
- Renewed or revised within three years from the date of signature.
