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OAYECPositioning Bulletin

The OAYEC Positioning Bulletin shares OAYEC's positions, values or discussion items related to the youth employment sector, and is available the first Monday of every month.




TOPIC for February 5th, 2007:

OAYEC’s Position on the Voluntary Sector Advisory Committee (VSAC)

 

So What?

VSAC represents the first “permanent” mechanism to influence service Canada programming and policies. It represents the greatest access to decision makers OAYEC has had in recent memory. And it provides a vehicle for members to share their experiences (and struggles) with federally funded program with people who can make a difference. VSAC is co-chaired by Donna Achimov, ADM of the Citizen and Community Services Branch, Service Canada and Jen Liptrot, ED of ACTEW. Matt Wood, ED of OAYEC is vice-chair. VSAC reports and recommendations are brought to the attention of Helene Gosselin, Deputy Minister, Service Canada.

The objective of VSAC is to give feedback and advice to the Federal Government on all Service Canada related issues in the Voluntary Sector (with a primary focus on Employment Services). VSAC began in April 2006 as a follow-up to a Joint Interim Working Group of the Federal Government and the Voluntary Sector which resulted from the problems with the Call for Proposal (CFP) process.

 

VSAC’s Function

The following illustrates the roles and activities of VSAC:

  • Monitor and provide feedback on the Grants and Contributions Change agenda.
  • For example, VSAC has monitored implementation of new flat rates and new guidelines for CFPs, and has suggested administrative streamlining and improvement.
  • VSAC wrote a submission to the Blue Ribbon Panel (BRP) on government Grants and Contributions. The BRP will release its report in early February (see English [pdf, 500 kb] and French [pdf, 500 kb] versions of submissions).
  • VSAC maintains ongoing liaison with the Office of the Fairness Advisor. VSAC jointly works on communications initiatives to increase awareness of the advisor among service providers.
  • Internally, VSAC is developing a communications strategy to improve the way it engages voluntary sector service providers and other government and non-government stakeholders.
  • Longer term work includes discussing and educating government on "results based models for employment services" and what works. VSAC has been providing feedback on Service Canada's "Client Segment Strategies" - Operational policies that are to guide service Canada's work with identified sub groups of the population. VSAC receives technical briefings on government operations and decision-making cycles in order to inform our effective input.
  • The next meeting of the VSAC is Feb. 14th, 15th and 16th.

 

OAYEC’s Position

OAYEC encourages the maintenance of strong youth representation on the VSAC. This is especially relevant because the youth employment agenda is remaining with the federal government and not being transferred to the province through the LMDA. It is important that the progress made during the first phase of VSAC be maintained and further developed. Major administrative barriers remain hindering the effectiveness of Service Canada programs; it is in the best interest of the Federal Government to broaden this dialogue. VSAC should progress into a committee which can be more self directed, so that they can determine their own agenda, and provide suggestions and advice to the Federal government. We encourage members to approach OAYEC to raise federal issues that are important to them.

 

VSAC Committee Membership Make Up

Committee members of VSAC should demonstrate the following:

  • Understanding of the labor market/employment needs and concerns of Canadians and their communities.
  • Knowledge of how voluntary sector agencies and organizations in communities are responding to those needs, and the policy, program and service delivery issues that affect the sector’s capacity
  • The capacity to connect with others in the voluntary sector that provide a continuum of employment services, and to be well-briefed on the experience of employment service providers.
  • Regional Representation (at least one representative from Atlantic Canada, Quebec, Ontario, Prairies, North-West Territories and Nunavut, B.C. and Yukon)
  • Other elements of diversity in client group representation (at least one representative from employment programs that serve one or more of the following client groups/communities; youth, aboriginal persons, women, immigrants, older workers, persons with disabilities, persons in conflict with the justice system, urban, rural, northern)

How can you be involved?

Member and other stakeholder opinions are welcome at any time. Please send in your thoughts on how you would like VSAC to influence the federal government.

 

For more information, please contact:

Soni Dasmohapatra, Researcher
sdasmohapatra@oayec.org

 

OAYECThe GO TO organization for youth employment issues.

The OAYEC Positioning Bulletin is a monthly newsletter provided by the Ontario Association of Youth Employment Centres. OAYEC's mission is to support and advocate for a sustainable youth employment delivery network.

Feedback, comments, and suggestions for future Positioning Bulletins are welcome!
Contact: Soni Dasmohapatra, Researcher, sdasmohapatra@oayec.org

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