Client: Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) and Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC)

Problem: In 2017, the intention to dissolve Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) and to replace INAC with two new, distinct, complementary departments – ISC and CIRNAC was announced. The creation of the new departments and the introduction of the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB) has had a significant impact on the financial management function at INAC regarding structure, systems, people and processes.  As a result, there was a critical requirement to plan for the transition from the current INAC Chief Finance Officer (CFO) model to a future-state CFO model for CIRNAC and ISC.

Solution: Nīewe Consulting (formerly Baiame) was engaged to examine the current CFO structure, options for a future state CFO structure and key transition requirements to provide a business case and recommendations about the best future CFO model for decision by the current CFO. After providing the recommendations, Nīewe developed a detailed outline of the new CFO Model and provided support in the form of managing the development of detailed preliminary implementation plans and risk management plans considerations for the ongoing transition.

Impact: Nīewe’s expertise ensured that the client’s transition from the current INAC CFO model to a future-state CFO model for CIRNA and ISC went as smoothly as possible with minimal disruption to everyday business activities.