About the Privy Council Office
As head of the government of Canada, the Prime
Minister provides leadership and cohesion to the Ministry,
and requires a broad base of support. The Privy Council Office is the Prime
Minister’s department and the Cabinet Secretariat. It is a focal point of
action in the Government of Canada’s public service. Our work requires close
and continuous contact with other federal
departments and agencies to support their ability to work effectively and to
ensure overall consultation and coordination. We provide non-partisan advice and
support to the government, and leadership, coordination and support to the
departments and agencies of the government.
The primary responsibility of the Privy Council Office is to provide public
service support to the Prime Minister, to ministers
within the Prime Minister's portfolio, and to the Cabinet
in order to facilitate the smooth and effective operation of the Government of
Canada.
The Privy Council Office is staffed by career public servants. Our activities
are guided by our mission
and our values. Our work reflects and supports the three core
responsibilities of the Clerk
of the Privy Council, who is the head of PCO.
Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister
PCO assists the Clerk of the Privy Council Office in providing professional,
non-partisan support to the Prime Minister in his or her role as head of
government on all policy and operational issues. This includes advice and
support on:
- social, Aboriginal, economic, fiscal, national security and foreign and defence
policy issues;
- relations with Parliament, including legislative priorities;
- constitutional issues;
- relations with the governments of the provinces and territories including
possible agenda topics and timing for First Ministers’ Meetings;
- meetings of the Prime Minister with the leaders and representatives of
other countries and international organizations;
- appointments to certain positions in the government, such as deputy
ministers and heads of agencies;
- the structure and functioning of government;
- operational activities, such as handling the Prime Minister’s
non-political, non-personal correspondence;
- the communication of the government’s initiatives; and
- managing transitions between governments, such as after an election.
Secretary to the Cabinet
As the Cabinet secretariat, PCO provides the Cabinet
and its
committees the support required to prepare for and conduct meetings. This support includes:
- arranging meetings;
- proposing and circulating agendas;
- distributing documents;
- providing advice to the chairperson on agenda items; and
- recording Cabinet minutes and decisions;
- working with departments in preparing proposals for ministers;
- transmitting Cabinet decisions to departments; and
- ensuring that Orders in Council and other statutory instruments are
prepared and promulgated in order to give effect to government decisions
requiring the approval of the Governor General.
Head of the Public Service
PCO supports the Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet as
Head of the Public Service in:
- advancing the government’s public service management agenda,
with particular emphasis on public service reform;
- ensuring strategic management and planning of senior public service
personnel;
- serving as spokesperson for the Public Service; and
- submitting an annual report to the Prime Minister on the state of the
Public Service.
Further Reading
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