Government of Canada
Symbol of the Government of Canada

Permanent Delegation of Canada to the OECD

CanadaInternational.gc.ca

 Canadian participation in the work of the OECD

OECD work is produced by 12 main Directorates and a number of semi-autonomous bodies, whose activities are oriented by member countries representatives (also called "delegates"), who share information and experience in over 200 Committees and Working parties. Overall decision-making power lies with the OECD Council composed of Ambassadors from member states. Other institutional bodies are responsible for "OECD corporate issues".

Institutional bodies

The External Relations Committee is the focal point for the development and pursuit of policy dialogue between the OECD and non-member economies. Much of the work of this Committee is accomplished through the Centre for Co-operation with Non-Members. It manages multi-country thematic and country programmes that focus on working with Emerging Economies. Participation on the Committee is led by the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.

Directorates & Main Committees

Economics Department (ECO): The work of ECO relates to issues of both a macroeconomic and a structural character, and in particular on the interaction between structural and macroeconomic policies and developments. ECO supports the work of two Committees: the Economic Policy Committee (EPC), which focuses discussions on recent economic developments and outlook and the analysis of macroeconomic and structural policy across countries and the Economic and Development Review Committee (EDRC), which undertakes country review of a broad field of policy settings. Canadian participation in both committees is led by the Department of Finance Canada.

Environment Directorate

Environment Directorate (ENV): The work of ENV is to provide governments with the analytical basis to develop environmental policies that are effective and economically efficient. This is accomplished through a process of performance reviews, data collection, policy analysis, and projections. The Environment Policy Committee (EPOC) provides a forum for participants to consider environmental issues and policy responses. The Chemicals Committee give general orientation to the OECD work on chemicals. Canadian participation to those Committees is led by Environment Canada.

Development Cooperation Directorate (DCD)

Development Cooperation Directorate (DCD):
DCD provides a focus for OECD activities related to development and serves as a Secretariat to the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) which is the principal body dealing with issues related to co-operation with developing countries. DAC members account for more than 90% of official development assistance (ODA) worldwide. The work of DAC concentrates on how international development co-operation contributes to capacity building and poverty reduction. Canadian participation in the DAC is led by CIDA.

Public Governance and Territorial Development (GOV)

Public Governance and Territorial Development (GOV): GOV studies how governments organise and manage the public sector, and encourages the development of regional initiatives. The Public Governance Committee (PGC) provides a forum for the exchange of ideas on how to adapt the public sector to changing capacities and circumstances and assists governments in building and strengthening effective, efficient and transparent government structures. Canadian participation in the PGC is led by the Privy Council Office.

The Regulatory Policy Committee (RPC) was recently created to to assist member and non-member economies in building and strengthening their regulatory reform efforts. Canadian participation in the RPC is led by the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat.

Territorial Development Policy Committee (TDPC)

The Territorial Development Policy Committee (TDPC): encourages the creation and development of locally driven initiatives for economic development, both in urban and rural areas, and develops territorial indicators. Canadian participation in the TDPC is led by one of the Canadian regional development agencies on a rotational basis.

These are:

Trade and Agriculture Directorate (TAD)

Trade and Agriculture Directorate (TAD): The promotion of trade liberalisation has been central to the OECD mandate. TAD serves as the secretariat for the Trade Committee, whose focus is on interdisciplinary consideration of trade issues. It provides a unique forum to set out the analytical basis required to understand the issues and plays an important role in complementing the work of the WTO to promote the multilateral trading system. Canadian representation to the Trade Committee is led by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada.

The Trade and Agriculture Directorate also carry out work on the reform of agricultural policies with the aim of reducing their costs and increasing their effectiveness. The Committee for Agriculture (COAG) and its working groups provide a forum to discuss options for reforms to create a more market-oriented agricultural sector, while at the same time meeting social concerns about such issues as food security, food safety and quality, environmental protection and viability of rural areas. TAD also monitors fisheries policies and analyses the economic implications of the sustainable use of fisheries, aquaculture and coastal zones. This work is conducted for the Committee for Fisheries (FI). Canadian participation on the on the Committee for Agriculture (COAG) is led by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and on the Committee for Fisheries (FI), by the Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

Directorate for Financial and Enterprise Affairs (DAF)

Directorate for Financial and Enterprise Affairs (DAF): The prime objective of DAF is to promote the efficient functioning of markets and enterprises in a globalizing economy. To do so, the majority of work is accomplished through five Committees:

The lead for Canadian participation in these committees is the Department of Finance and Industry Canada

Centre for Tax Policy and Administration (CTP)

Centre for Tax Policy and Administration (CTP): The Centre for Tax Policy and Administration serves as the secretariat for the Committee on Fiscal Affairs (CFA) and its subsidiary groups. The CFA sets the OECD Work programme in the tax area and provides a forum for senior officials to exchange views on tax policy and administration issues. Canadian participation is led by the the Department of Finance and Canada Revenue Agency.

Directorate for Science, Technology and Industry (STI)

Directorate for Science, Technology and Industry (STI):STI addresses analytical and policy issues related to how human knowledge can be used productively. In particular, they examine the mechanisms through which science and technology, and their applications in industry and communications, contribute to economic growth and well-being.

The work of the Directorate is spread over six main Committees:

Canadian participation in the majority of these bodies is led by Industry Canada.

Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs and Local Development (CFE)

The Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs and Local Development (CFE) aims at disseminating best practices on the design, implementation, evaluation and promotion of entrepreneurship, SMEs and local development policies. The pillar of CFE is the Local Economic and Employment Development Programme (LEED) which identifies and formulates innovative ideas for local development and the social economy. The CFE also serves as a secretariat for the Tourism Committee.

Directorate for Employment, Labour, and Social Affairs (ELS)

Directorate for Employment, Labour, and Social Affairs (ELSA): ELSA studies employment and ways to improve social welfare by reforming labour markets, finding ways to fight poverty and adapting social systems. Work on Employment focuses on primary aspects of the labour market, including employment, unemployment and earnings. Work on Social Issues focuses on the collection and development of suitable data for social indicators, and the design of policy recommendations based on comparative analysis. Work on International Migration focuses on monitoring migration movements and policies in member countries and selected non-member countries, and analysing migration related issues. Work on Health focuses on the collection of data about health care systems, and mechanism and policies to improve performance of health care systems.Canadian participation on the Employment, Labour and Social Affairs Committee (ELSAC) and on the Working Party on Social Affairs is led by Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC). Citizenship and Immigration Canada provide representation for the Working Party on Migration and Health Canada provides representation to the Ad Hoc Group on Health.

Directorate for Education (EDU)

Directorate for Education (EDU): The work of EDU focuses on how to evaluate and improve outcomes of education, promote quality teaching and build social cohesion through education. It monitors progress in education and training systems on an annual basis. The Education Policy Committee provides a forum for members to discuss education policies and to make them more effective. Canadian participation in EC is provided mainly by the provinces through the Council of Ministers of Education Canada (CMEC), with the participation of HRSDC.

Statistics Directorate (STD)

Statistics Directorate (STD): STD is responsible for discussions and advice on the construction of data indicators and the collection of data to support the work of the other directorates and agencies of the OECD. Participation in the Statistics Committee (CSTAT) and its various working groups is provided by Statistics Canada.

Semi-Autonomous Bodies

International Energy Agency (IEA)

International Energy Agency (IEA): The IEA is an autonomous agency linked with the OECD and serves as an energy forum for its member states. It promotes joint measures to meet oil supply emergencies, sharing energy information, co-ordinating Members’ energy policies and co-operating in the development of rational energy programmes. Canadian participation is led by Natural Resources Canada (NRCAN).

Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA)

Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA): The objectives of the NEA include assisting its Member countries in maintaining and further developing, through international co-operation, the scientific, technological and legal bases required for the safe, environmentally friendly and economical use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. Canadian participation is supplied by Natural Resources Canada (NRCAN).

Centre for Educational Research and Innovation (CERI)

Centre for Educational Research and Innovation (CERI):
CERI works closely with EDU in carrying studies and promoting an international dialogue about education across OECD countries. As such, it is a focal point for information and discussion on trends in education systems throughout the industrialised world. Its primary aims are to encourage better links between research, policy innovation and practice, and enrich knowledge about educational trends internationally. Participation in CERI is mainly provided by the provinces through the Council of Ministers of Education Canada (CMEC).

Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering (FATF)

Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering (FATF): The FATF is an inter-governmental body which develops and promotes policies, both nationally and internationally, to combat money laundering. Canadian representation is provided through an inter-departmental committee composed of representatives from: Justice, the RCMP, Public Safety, Foreign Affairs, The Financial Transaction and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada, and Finance.

Sahel and West Africa Club (SAH)

Sahel and West Africa Club: The Sahel and West Africa Club is a forum for informal exchange between partners from the North and the South, both public and private. Half-way between the field and major international fora, the Club serves as an exchange where development co-operation issues and innovative practices can be addressed based on concrete examples. Its primary objective is to increase the impact of development aid in the Sahel region in Africa, and increasingly in West Africa. Canadian participation in the Sahel and West Africa Club is provided through/by CIDA.

International Transport Forum

International Transport Forum: The International Transport Forum is a high-profile global platform and a meeting place for discussions at the highest level on transport, logistics and mobility. The aim of the Forum is to help gain a better understanding of the essential role played by transport in the economy and society. Canadian participation in the International Transport Forum is provided through/by Transport Canada.

Advisory Bodies

Business and Industry Advisory Committee of the OECD (BIAC)

Business and Industry Advisory Committee of the OECD (BIAC):BIAC is an independent organisation officially recognised by the OECD as being representative of business and industry. BIAC's role is to provide the OECD and its Member Governments with constructive comments based on the practical experience of the business community. Canadian representation is led by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce (CCC).

Trade Union Advisory Committee to the OECD (TUAC)

Trade Union Advisory Committee to the OECD (TUAC): The Trade Union Advisory Committee (TUAC) is an international trade union organisation which has consultative status with the OECD and its various committees. It acts as an interface for labour unions with the OECD. Canadian representation led by the Canadian Labour Congress.

Footer

Date Modified:
2011-12-16