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!

"The Best Laid Plans" wins Leacock Award for Humour

Wow! A book that I have blogged about, by Terry Fallis, a first time author, has won the prestigious Leacock award for Humour!! If you have not already gone out and bought this book, what are you waiting for!

Here is the press release announcing Terry's win!


Terry Fallis Wins 2008 Stephen Leacock Medal For Humour

ORILLIA, ON, April 30 /CNW/ - The suspense felt by five finalists for the 2008 Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour came to an exciting conclusion today for Terry Fallis and his novel The Best Laid Plans. The announcement was made at a celebratory luncheon on the grounds of the historical Stephen Leacock Memorial Museum in Orillia, Ontario. Fallis will receive a $10,000 prize courtesy of TD Bank Financial Group for his winning entry.

"It is somehow appropriate that this year's winner be an author with an interest in the foibles of federal politics as Leacock himself had more than a passing interest in the subject. He'd be delighted with the comic antics described by Fallis," said Wayne Scott, President of the Leacock Association.

The Best Laid Plans, Mr. Fallis's first book, centres on a cranky and reluctant political candidate who consents to run in a federal election based on the fact that he is "certain-to-lose." He accepts the task with the proviso that he won't campaign, give media interviews, canvass door-to-door, attend all-candidate meetings, use lawn signs, have contact with campaign workers or even be in the country during the election campaign! As the reader can well
imagine, things do not turn out as anticipated - the key to successful comedy.

The other books nominated for this year's award were The Gum Thief by former nominee Douglas Coupland; Spanish Fly by former two-time Leacock medalist Will Ferguson; And God Created Manyberries by Ron Wood; and King John of Canada by Scott Gardiner.

The Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour has been awarded since 1947 as a means to honour the dean of Canadian humourists and to perpetuate humorous writing in Canada. Some of Canada's finest authors - Pierre Berton, W.O. Mitchell, Mordecai Richler and Robertson Davies - have all been recipients of the award over the past six decades. Last year's winner was CBC
broadcaster and author Stuart McLean for Secrets of the Vinyl Cafe. The award is presented each year to the most humourous English-language book written by
a Canadian and in addition to being presented with the silver medal, the winner also receives a $10,000 prize from TD Bank Financial Group. The Leacock
Association is also grateful to its other generous sponsors: Osprey media, Lakehead University and Orillia's Thor Motors.

Both the medal and the cheque will be presented to Mr. Fallis at the annual Leacock dinner to be held June 7, 2008 at Geneva Park near Orillia, Ontario.