The 7th Annual Ottawa Public Sector Quality Fair - Interm Report
Over 140 people gathered at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum on February 5th for the 7th Annual Ottawa Public Sector Quality Fair co-hosted by Excellence Canada and the Canadian Public Sector Quality Association (CPSQA). The event was Co-Chaired by Excellence Canada’s National Capital Region Executive Director, Steve Davies, and by CPSQA’s Chair, Jean Tourigny. To view the agenda & look at the presentations of the day, click here.
The theme for this event was "Embracing change; seizing opportunities; transforming organizations" and the day began with our Opening Keynote speaker, Catherine MacQuarrie, Deputy Sectretary, Business Transformation & Renewal Secretariat, Privy Council Office who discussed current and future initiatives designed to improve efficiency and services to Canadians. She was followed by a Panel discussion with the subject under discussion "The role of information systems in supporting transformational change" with Moderator Dan Corbett and Panelists Paul Crookall, Canadian Government Executive Magazine, Charles Kemp, Health Canada and Dave Adamson, Citizenship and Immigration Canada. A very interesting discussion was held that prompted good inputs from Attendees.
After a Health Break and an opportunity to visit Exhibitors, there was the morning Professional Development Session – with three simultaneous sessions – one dealing with Lean (en français), another with Risk Management and the third with Quality Management Systems. All three sessions were well-received by attentive audiences.
Following an excellent lunch, attendees went to one of three locations for the afternoon Professional Development Sessions. The first session dealt with Lean, the second with Root Cause and the third with Transformation in a cryptologic agency. Again, the sessions struck a chord with attendees who contributed to the success of the sessions.
Attendees then had another Health Break after which everyone gathered in the plenary area for the presentation of the Joint CPSQA-Excellence Canada Public Sector Excellence Lifetime Achievement Award for 2013. This year’s winner is Dr. Jack Kitts, President and CEO of The Ottawa Hospital. Dr. Kitts, in his acceptance speech commented that "…I want all of you to know that this award is particularly cherished, because I am amongst so many incredible leaders in the public service here today." He went on to talk about leadership and values and challenges he has faced in his career. As he concluded, he left us with a message: "Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference".
This was followed by a Rapporteur reviewing the discussions of the day, door prize draws – including some from Excellence Canada – and closing comments by the Co-Chairs.
By all accounts, this was one of the best "Fair" thus far and at the closing Co-Chair Jean Tourigny announced the 2014 Ottawa Public Sector Quality Fair will be held on Tuesday, February 4th, 2014 and it is anticipated the event will again be held at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum.
