Role and Structure of IGA

Intergovernmental Affairs (IGA) provides advice and support to the Prime Minister and the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs on policies, communications and parliamentary affairs relating to federal-provincial-territorial  relations. This includes fiscal federalism, the evolution of the federation and Canadian unity.

The Deputy Minister of IGA directs and manages Intergovernmental Affairs.  The Deputy Minister's mandate covers:

• Policy advice and strategic planning related to national unity, the broad federal-provincial-territorial agenda, constitutional and legal issues, and fiscal federalism. These files require close collaboration with a number of departments, including Finance, Justice, Treasury Board, and several others;

• Liaison and advice on relations with the provinces and territories and the renewal of the federation

• Communications and parliamentary affairs support on issues and initiatives with important federal-provincial-territorial dimensions

Two Assistant Deputy Ministers and a Director of Communications and Parliamentary Affairs support him or her in this work.

• The Assistant Deputy Minister (Intergovernmental Policy) manages the development of strategic planning, integrated analysis and intergovernmental relations policy, options and advice on a variety of issues. These relate primarily to fiscal, economic, legal and constitutional matters, as well as to federalism in general. He or she is assisted by a Director General, Strategic Policy and Research and by a Senior Director, Economic and Fiscal Policy.

• The Assistant Deputy Minister (Intergovernmental Operations) provides the Prime Minister and the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs with an integrated view of relations with the provinces and territories across the government’s broad policy agenda. He or she works with other PCO branches (Operations, Plans & Consultation), federal departments/agencies and provincial-territorial governments to assess policy options and supply advice on issues related to intergovernmental relations. He is assisted by a Director General, Provincial Analysis and a Director General, Sectoral Analysis.

• The Director, Intergovernmental Communications and Parliamentary Affairs, provides strategic advice on the intergovernmental and Canadian unity implications of government-wide communications activities and initiatives.  The Communications and Parliamentary Affairs group also provides parliamentary affairs support to the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs.