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

• Responsibilities of the Privy Council Office
• PCO Organization Chart