In December 2003, the federal budget recognized Coast Guard’s contribution to Canadians by creating it as a special operating agency (SOA) within the department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO). This status affirms Coast Guard’s place as a national institution, and as such, places an increased importance on balancing program services offered, operational requirements and the technical support required to make operational assets available, capable, and reliable.

The theme behind this year’s MMI Workshop is “Navigating Troubled Waters”. The theme is particularly relevant to Coast Guard as it continues to redefine itself as an SOA and prepares itself to meet the challenges set forward in the government’s agenda. The Canadian Coast Guard operates the largest civilian fleet of vessels in government and also has a significant complement of shore-based electronic equipment and navigational aids. The infrastructure required to support and operate this fleet is complex and highly technical, involving numerous disciplines. The integration of formal Life Cycle Materiel Management principles and processes into the Coast Guard will ensure that the operational assets required to support marine programs continue to be available, capable, and reliable. Thus, ensuring that Coast Guard is ready and able to assist in the realization of Canada’s maritime priorities as the marine operating arm of the Government of Canada.

Further to his last presentation at the Materiel Management National Workshop in May of 2004, The Honourable Walt Lastewka and his team have now completed their review of government procurement policies and practices, and have published recommendations. Mr. Lastewka will be discussing his work over the last year, the recommendations that he and his team have put forth, and his ongoing support of Canadian federal procurement. Mr. Lastewka’s final paper can be found at: www.pwgsc.gc.ca/prtf.

Human Resources management modernization is a key Government priority at this time. Mr. Burton will be discussing why and how government is changing its approach to managing people, how the Public Service Modernization Act (the PSMA) and other key initiatives will contribute to that change, our progress to date, our plans for the future, and last but not least, what Human Resources management modernization means to the thousands of managers and employees engaged in materiel management.

The biggest challenge facing all of us is how to always perform at our Personal Best – when it counts.

Anyone can have an excellent game. Only the Best have Game Excellence. The Best are the ones who consistently break through in the crunch moments. They are the ones who become a model for others through their sustained high-performance. They are the keepers of the flame.

So what is the formula for Personal Consistency?

How can you ensure that you’re Always-On when you need to be on?

How can you instantly self-ignite?

How can you ensure that you’re constantly accessing all of your ability?

How can you fire up everyone around you?

These are the questions Mike Lipkin answers for you in his newest high-octane program, On Fire! The Art of Personal Consistency.

Through Environics/Lipkin, Mike has researched the actions and attitudes of people who epitomize Personal Consistency. He has uncovered their core values, principles and beliefs. From Cape Town to Calgary, he has spoken to thousands of people who achieve their Personal Best every day. And now, you can too.

In On Fire! The Art of Personal Consistency, you will learn the Six Steps to Always-Being-On-When-It-Counts:

1.	Focus – Concentrate Your Energy On What Counts.
2.	Expect More – Be Brutally Optimistic.
3.	Be You – Embrace Authenticity.
4.	Play Full Out – Be Worthy of Your Gifts.
5.	Make Great Friends – Build Powerful Alliances.
6.	Learn And Let Go – Get Better, Travel Lighter.