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1. Mandate and ResponsibilitiesThe Public Service Commission of
Canada is an independent agency which oversees the application, in the federal public
service, of the principles of competence and representativeness in appointments and of
political non-partisanship. It is a key partner in helping make human resource management
more effective and efficient so that government can better serve Canadians. This is a
public interest mandate and thus forms part of Canada’s governance system.
The Public Service Employment Act (PSEA) establishes the Commission, sets out its
mandate and assigns the following key responsibilities to it:
- the operation of a merit-based staffing system and the appointment of qualified and
meritorious persons to and from within the public service;
- investigation, review and recourse with respect to matters under the PSEA;
- the delivery of training and development programs; the enhancement of the knowledge and
skills of public servants and the promotion of shared values through continuous learning;
- responsibility for matters relating to the non-partisanship of the public service such
as granting leave to public servants who seek nomination as and wish to stand as
candidates for election;
- the implementation of employment equity programs requested by the Treasury Board or
deputy heads; and
- carrying out other related responsibilities provided for in the PSEA and the Employment
Equity Act.
- In order to carry out these responsibilities, the Commission, inter alia:
- develops and administers processes and establishes standards for the selection and
assessment of persons seeking appointment;
- recruits and promotes public servants in the Executive group;
- recruits public servants at other levels;
- delegates its power to deputy heads to recruit (in certain cases) and to promote
employees;
- audits, investigates and monitors staffing activities;
- makes exclusions from the operation of the PSEA or parts of the Act, with the approval
of the Governor in Council;
- makes regulations governing matters under the PSEA; and
- provides a general report to Parliament annually on its transactions and affairs.
In addition, the Commission carries out a number of functions under delegation from the
Treasury Board. These include:
- developmental programs such as the Career Assignment and Management Trainee Programs;
- exchange programs such as the Interchange Canada and the Foreign Government Exchange
Programs; and
- the auditing of certain personnel management functions in government departments.
Lastly, usually with the Canadian International Development Agency as sponsor, the
Commission manages or coordinates projects relating to human resources management and
training in countries abroad; and in concert with the Department of Foreign Affairs and
International Trade, the Commission is responsible for maintaining a high level of
Canadian representation in the secretariat of international organizations.
2. Structure and Organization
The powers, duties and functions of the Public Service Commission rest with the three
Commissioners who compose the Commission - one of whom is both its President and Chief
Executive Officer. They hold office during good behaviour for a 10-year term, are
removable on a joint address by the Senate and the House of Commons, and have the status
of deputy head.
To discharge its responsibilities, the Commission maintains an important headquarters
establishment in the National Capital Region, and regional and district offices in St.
John’s, Halifax, Moncton, Charlottetown, Quebec, Montreal, Toronto, Winnipeg, Regina,
Edmonton, Vancouver, Victoria, Whitehorse and Yellowknife.
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