Greetings from Edmonton

I’m back in Edmonton to participate in the kick-off of our 2nd “Building Pyramids in the Valleys” program with the Commonwealth Secretariat.

This program is an international job shadowing and practical program coordinated through the Commonwealth Secretariat. The purpose of the program is to provide practical experience for Finance/Budget executives from Commonwealth countries with counterparts from Canada. The Government of Alberta, the City of Edmonton and the IPAC Edmonton Regional Group have all actively participated to put together a fantastic program for the next two weeks for our international colleagues. Participants are mainly from Caribbean countries, though there are a couple from Africa. The first of these “Thematic Fellowship Programme on Public Expenditure Management” took place in April 2007 in Ontario.

The program includes presentations from Canadian participants – for example on the Alberta Fiscal and Budget Framework, on the Alberta and the City of Edmonton Business Planning Process, on the Capital Planning Process, on the role of the Auditor General, etc – as well as job shadowing. The participants will also be writing a report on their experience and their learning to take back to their home jurisdictions.

Kudos to the volunteers from the Government of Alberta, the City of Edmonton and the IPAC Edmonton Regional Group for all their hard work in putting together what I am sure will be an unforgettable program for our international guests.

This program is just one example of IPAC’s distinctive role in exporting Canadian public sector expertise around the world. It is a testament to the public service in Canada that countries around the world seek out our knowledge and experience. If you are interested in participating in other IPAC international activities, drop us a line!