The Overarching Commemoration Evaluation concludes a series of three internal evaluations conducted between 2016-17 and 2017-18 which focused on elements of VAC’s Commemoration core responsibility. Evaluations one and two (the Evaluation of Commemorative Benefits and Services and the Evaluation of Public Recognition and Awareness) assessed core evaluation areas, including relevance, performance, and efficiency and economy. The findings of these two evaluations were largely positive, but did identify areas for improvement in relation to the achievement of outcomes, efficiency, and effective documentation.
This evaluation further reviewed areas identified in evaluations one and two that had an overarching impact across multiple elements of VAC’s Canada Remembers Program and the Funeral and Burial Program. It also reviewed areas that the previous evaluations were unable to fully assess and report on. Opportunities and recommendations are highlighted in this report to enhance:
- program alignment with internal and external partners;
- the long-term strategic vision for commemoration;
- long-term stable funding; and
- awareness of Commemoration initiatives across branches within VAC.
Additional analysis of the Canada Remembers Program will be included under the scope of the Audit of Overseas Events.