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Strategic Planning and Measurement Division
Strategic Planning and Measurement Division
Strategic Planning and Measurement Division is responsible for planning, monitoring,
research and analysis, policy development and program evaluation. The division
is committed to improving the quality of advice, assistance and information primarily
to internal clients which include the minister, deputy minister and other department
staff. External clients include staff from other provincial government departments,
federal staff, industry organizations and the public.
Policy Development
The Sustainable Resource Policy Development continued in 2003 and culminated in
the development of an implementation strategy that included re-defining goals,
objectives and targets and working with an interdepartmental group to develop
detailed action plans.
Staff participated in an agricultural apprenticeship initiative which involves
skill definition, development of core competencies and individual learning plans
for long-term learning opportunities for farmers and farm workers.
Division staff also participated in the development of an environmental services
initiative for producers which would reward those who, in addition to production
from their farms, also provide society with benefits such as clean water, healthier
soil, healthier forests and the maintenance of biodiversity.
The division director chaired the Land Use Coordinating Committee (LUCC) and prepared
the 2003 annual report.
Staff presented a paper at the 2003 meeting of the Canadian Society of Ecological
Economics (CANSEE) in Jasper, Alberta. The paper, “Keeping the Garden Green,”
explained the philosophy behind, and operationalizing of, Prince Edward Island’s
Sustainable Resource Policy.
Planning and Evaluation
Staff supported different community groups and projects. Strategic planning and
facilitation was provided to the Trout River Watershed Group and assistance in
the development of a management plan. Staff also helped develop terms of reference
for the Wild Blueberry Growers.
Research and Analysis
The department’s strategic plan of the department calls for periodic surveys
of the department’s clientele which attempt to measure public opinion on
agriculture and forestry issues. The most recent survey was completed in fall,
2003. Staff contributed provincial perspective to ongoing federal-provincial consultations
on biosafety and climate change. Internally, staff provided research in the following
areas for internal clients: outcome-based programs, strategic planning, comprehensive
land use planning, information management, nutriceuticals and functional foods,
and alternate forms of measurement.
Monitoring
The document, State of the Environment Report was released by the province in
June, 2003. Staff worked with the Department of Environment and Energy to develop
indicators which will best measure and define progress in natural resource management.
Staff also worked with other government agencies to provide advice in the following
areas: adoption of agri-environmental indicators appropriate for Prince Edward
Island (under the Agricultural Policy Framework), apprenticeship (through the
Agriculture Human Resource Development Council), the Science and Innovation pillar
of the Agriculture Policy Framework, and ongoing reporting of data from farm programs
and government expenditures for the compilation of the Farm Income and Financial
Conditions Data Book prepared by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. The division
co-sponsored (with the Canadian Rural Partnership) a study on the value of Social
Capital in Agriculture which will form a final volume of the Genuine Progress
Index (GPI) Agriculture Accounts.
This information has been taken from website "Agriculture and Forestry"