Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat Organization

The Secretariat is organized into the following branches and sectors:

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Office of the Comptroller General

The Comptroller General of Canada is responsible for providing functional direction and assurance government-wide for financial management, internal audit, investment planning, procurement, project management, and the management of real property and materiel.

The Office of the Comptroller General supports the Comptroller General of Canada by working to ensure that sound policies, standards and practices are in place; by overseeing performance and compliance across the federal government; and by maintaining and building vibrant professional communities through a range of recruitment and development activities.

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Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer

The Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer (OCHRO) supports the Treasury Board in its role as the employer by driving excellence in people management and ensuring the appropriate degree of consistency across the public service. OCHRO fulfills this mandate in a manner that is compatible with primary deputy head accountability and responsibility.

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Office of the Chief Information Officer

The Office of the Chief Information Officer provides strategic direction and leadership in the pursuit of excellence in information management, information technology, security, privacy and access to information across the Government of Canada. To facilitate this work, the Office of the Chief Information Officer also provides support and guidance on capacity building and project management and oversight.

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Office of Public Service Accessibility

The Office of Public Service Accessibility (OPSA) supports the Government of Canada in meeting the requirements of the Accessible Canada Act. The intent is to design a strategy and implementation plan to establish the public service of Canada as the gold standard of an accessible and inclusive workplace.

The Office is a hub – a source of strategic advice regarding accessibility issues related to the built environment, employment, information and communications technologies, the procurement of goods and services, program and service delivery, and transportation for all Government of Canada departments and agencies. It will leverage the expertise of partners in other levels of government and both the private and non-profit sectors to help the public service reach its objective. The Office will also work with key public service partners in developing innovative pilot projects.

Key Business

  • Develop a strategy and implementation plan, based on consultation and engagement with partners and stakeholders to help the federal public service show leadership in meeting the requirements outlined in the Accessible Canada Act by the time it receives Royal Assent.
  • Provide strategic advice to government departments and agencies regarding issues related to accessibility and inclusion.
  • Engage expert internal and external stakeholders to provide advice, support and motivation to facilitate progress, while also gathering feedback on progress and further opportunities.
  • Conduct outreach to promote our initiatives with key partners both within and outside the public service and develop relationships to ensure collaboration with experts to promote innovation.

Centre for Greening Government

The Centre for Greening Government mandate is to provide leadership toward low-carbon, climate-resilient and green operations in the Government of Canada.

The Centre:

  • leads and coordinates federal emissions reduction, climate resiliency and greening government initiatives
  • integrates knowledge from other leading organizations and shares best practices broadly
  • tracks and discloses information on government environmental performance centrally
  • drives results to meet greening government environmental objectives

The Centre works with departments to implement the government’s Greening Government Strategy.

The Centre also administers the Greening Government Fund designed to test, promote and share innovative approaches to reducing greenhouse gases in federal operations.

Corporate Services Sector

The Corporate Services Sector (CSS) assists the Secretary of the Treasury Board in the internal administration of the Secretariat. Its various directorates provide internal corporate services to the Secretariat and certain shared services to the Department of Finance Canada, the Canada School of Public Service, and the Privy Council Office. The CSS provides support in the areas of financial management, security, information management, information technology, and facilities and materiel management

Economic Sector

The Economic Sector (ES) supports the Treasury Board in its role as management board of the Government of Canada and as budget office in the government-wide expenditure cycle. As such, ES performs due diligence reviews of Memoranda to Cabinet and Treasury Board submissions from federal organizations and provides advice to the Treasury Board regarding resource allocation, risks, and policy compliance. This work supports sound decision making, value for money, compliance with rules and policies, and alignment with Government of Canada priorities and objectives. ES also assists in the production of government Estimates documents and parliamentary reports.

In addition, ES provides strategic advice, guidance and support to federal organizations in their implementation and application of Treasury Board policies, government priorities, risk management strategies, and performance management. It also supports organizations seeking commonly sought authorities and approvals from the Treasury Board (e.g., financial and expenditure authorities, project and program approvals).

ES serves 43 federal organizations that cover responsibilities for agriculture, fisheries, natural resources, environment, transportation, infrastructure, industry, science and regional development. It also works closely with other central agencies.

Expenditure Management Sector

The Expenditure Management Sector (EMS) provides a central focus for the functions that support and strengthen the Secretariat's role in the government's broader expenditure management system. EMS's work covers the entire expenditure management cycle—from expenditure analysis, forecasting and expenditure management strategies, policies and operations through to results-based management, evaluation, strategic reviews, Estimates production, accountability, and reporting to Parliament. EMS plays a strong integration role in planning and coordinating expenditure management initiatives and in providing a whole-of-government perspective on matters related to the management of direct program spending and compensation within the federal government.

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Government Operations Sector

The Government Operations Sector supports the Treasury Board in its role as management board and budget office. The Sector provides analysis and advice on management capacity and risks, strategic resource allocation, and effective program design in a portfolio that includes central agencies, Agents of Parliament, many Crown corporations and Public Services and Procurement Canada. As well, the Sector provides policy advice and analysis on corporate governance to Crown corporations and the small agency community.

Human Resources Division

The Human Resources Division (HRD) is responsible for providing strategic human resources advice, guidance and services to the Secretariat's senior management, managers, supervisors and employees.

HRD provides advice, research, analysis and other services to senior management on corporate talent management, unions, demographic profiling, and organizational health indicators.

HRD provides comprehensive and timely advice, guidance and services to employees, managers and supervisors on classification, recruitment, staffing and resourcing, official languages, labour management, employment equity and diversity, training and learning and development, awards and recognition, career planning, compensation and benefits, and human resources information management.

In addition, HRD supports the development, maintenance and operation of PeopleSoft and associated reporting systems for the Central Agency Cluster, which comprises four federal organizations: the Secretariat, the Canada School of Public Service, the Department of Finance Canada, and the Privy Council Office.

Internal Audit and Evaluation Bureau

The Internal Audit and Evaluation Bureau (IAEB) provides independent, objective assurance and evaluation services that are designed to add value to the management of the Secretariat's programs and operations. IAEB conducts its work in accordance with the Policy on Internal Audit, the Institute of Internal Auditors International Professional Practices Framework and the Policy on Evaluation. It aims to assist the Secretariat in meeting its objectives and the expectations of the Federal Accountability Act through a systematic, disciplined approach to improving the effectiveness of risk management, control and governance processes.

International Affairs, Security and Justice Sector

The International Affairs, Security and Justice Sector (IASJ) supports the Treasury Board in its role as the management board and budget office of the Government of Canada. As such, IASJ performs due diligence reviews of Memoranda to Cabinet and Treasury Board submissions from federal organizations and provides advice to the Treasury Board regarding resource allocation, risks, and policy compliance. This work supports sound decision making, value for money, compliance with rules and policies, and alignment with Government of Canada priorities and objectives.

In addition, IASJ provides strategic advice, guidance and support to federal organizations in their implementation and application of Treasury Board policies, government priorities, risk management strategies, and performance management. It also supports client organizations seeking commonly sought authorities and approvals from the Treasury Board (e.g., financial and expenditure authorities, project and program approvals).

IASJ works with the federal departments and organizations responsible for international affairs, immigration, international development, defence, justice and security.

Legal Services Branch

The Legal Services Branch provides strategic legal advice to the Treasury Board in its roles as employer, budget office and management board of the Government Canada, as well as to the President of Treasury Board, the Secretariat, and the Canada School of Public Service. It is also responsible for representing the Treasury Board as employer for the core public administration and separate agencies and deputy heads before specialized tribunals and courts of law.

Priorities and Planning

Priorities and Planning (P&P) is responsible for key policy and planning activities that underpin both government-wide management excellence and efficient and effective corporate governance within the Secretariat. Specifically, P&P works with all departmental sectors to ensure that Treasury Board policy advice is coordinated and consistent. It does so by playing both an integrative role and a challenge function in advancing the strategic management priorities of the Secretary and the President of the Treasury Board. P&P also provides leadership for governance and planning processes within the Secretariat to ensure coherence in corporate priorities, progress on key files, clear accountabilities, and continuous improvement.

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Regulatory Affairs Sector (RAS)

Regulations are a type of law and a key policy instrument used by the federal government to protect health, safety, security and the environment. The Regulatory Affairs Sector supports Canada’s regulatory system by:

Reviewing and challenging regulatory submissions and Orders in Council to ensure that they meet the requirements set out in the Cabinet Directive on Regulation and provide ministers with sound analysis for decision-making.

Providing central oversight and modernization of Canada’s regulatory system by reporting to Parliament and to Canadians, on the government’s ability to deliver regulatory reforms and policy frameworks. It also leads whole-of-government efforts to facilitate economic growth and innovation. Examples of this work include:

Advancing regulatory cooperation with domestic and international partners to reduce barriers to trade. This is achieved through the Canada-U.S. Regulatory Cooperation Council, the Canada-E.U. Regulatory Cooperation Forum, and the Regulatory Reconciliation and Cooperation Table between federal, provincial and territorial governments in Canada.

Supporting the federal regulatory community by working closely with departments on the development of regulatory proposals as well as with the Canada School of Public Service and the Community of Federal Regulators to support the regulatory community in the application of the Cabinet Directive on Regulation.

Social and Cultural Sector

The Social and Cultural Sector supports the Treasury Board in its role as management board of the Government of Canada and as budget office in the government-wide expenditure cycle. As such, the Sector performs due diligence reviews of Memoranda to Cabinet and Treasury Board submissions from federal organizations and provides advice to the Treasury Board regarding resource allocation, risks, and policy compliance. This work supports sound decision making, value for money, compliance with rules and policies, and alignment with Government of Canada priorities and objectives. The Sector also assists in the production of government Estimates documents and parliamentary reports.

In addition, the Sector provides strategic advice, guidance and support to federal organizations in their implementation and application of Treasury Board policies, government priorities, risk management strategies, and performance management. It also supports organizations seeking commonly sought authorities and approvals from the Treasury Board (e.g., financial and expenditure authorities, project and program approvals).

The Sector deals with over 30 federal organizations that cover a variety of responsibilities including Aboriginal issues, health, culture, parks, heritage, human resources and skills development, labour, social development, veterans affairs and housing. The Sector also works closely with other central agencies.

Strategic Communications and Ministerial Affairs

Strategic Communications and Ministerial Affairs (SCMA) provides briefings, correspondence and logistical support for Treasury Board meetings, parliamentary affairs, Cabinet business and dealings with other government departments and non-governmental organizations. SCMA manages and coordinates Treasury Board meetings; coordinates the Secretariat's access to information and privacy activities; and tracks the President's and the Secretary's correspondence, and assists in preparing replies.

SCMA is also responsible for developing internal and external communications products and providing services in consultation with subject matter experts (e.g., communications strategies and plans, speeches and speaking notes, scenario notes for ministerial events, media advisories, news releases, questions and answers, and news conferences). It ensures a web presence for the President, the Treasury Board and the Secretariat and prepares department-wide messages, including messages from the President of the Treasury Board.

In addition, SCMA develops and implements government-wide policy instruments related to communications and corporate identity, and monitors compliance by government departments and agencies.

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