Support for the prime minister

Every day the staff of two organizations within the prime minister's portfolio support the prime minister directly: the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), with political support from the prime minister's personal staff; and the Privy Council Office (PCO), with public service support across the entire spectrum of policy questions and operational issues facing the government. Together, the PMO and PCO provide advice and support from different perspectives on the issues of daily concern to the prime minister.

The PMO and the PCO are distinct bodies that offer the prime minister complementary perspectives. The PMO is partisan, politically oriented, yet operationally sensitive. The PCO is non-partisan, management-oriented, yet politically sensitive. The two maintain close ties to ensure that they provide consistent, timely advice on the subjects of greatest importance to the prime minister.

	Parliament Building, Ottawa Photo: Loui Massicotte

The PMO helps the prime minister carry out the functions demanded of a head of government, a leader of a political party and a Member of Parliament. The support from the policy staff of the PMO includes providing advice on policy development and appointments, drafting speeches to be delivered by the prime minister, briefing the prime minister on matters related to proceedings in the House of Commons, and managing the relations of the prime minister with ministers, caucus and the party in general.

Under the leadership of the Clerk of the Privy Council and the Secretary to the Cabinet, the PCO provides direct public service support for the range of functions and responsibilities the prime minister must deal with as the head of government.