UNITY MACHINERY OF THE
PRIVY COUNCIL OFFICE
UNITY MACHINERY OF THE
PRIVY COUNCIL OFFICE
The Privy Council Office (PCO), originally created by s. 130 of the BNA Act 1867, is a central agency that is now part of a wider program called the Privy Council Programme, which encompasses most of the people in Ottawa working on Canadian unity for the federal government. The chart below outlines the various parts of the Programme, and how these activities are related. In red are the offices/activities currently working in various ways on Canadian unity. (source: Parliamentary Library)
Chart 1.
DESCRIPTION OF CHART
The Privy Council Programme exists to provide support for Cabinet decision-making. Thus the shape and size of the offices on Chart 1 vary in response to external factors -- economic, social, international, intergovernmental. Right now, the offices related to national unity (in red on the chart) have swelled in response to the unity crisis. The Programme attempts to react quickly to the needs of the government.
There are various offices located in Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal. The Commission of Inquiry & Task Forces obviously moves around as needed, depending on the mandate given it.
The Office of the Prime Minister and the PCO support the Prime Minister directly. The PMO's Director of Operations is Jean Carle.
The Plans & Consultations Branch provides policy advice and support to the Prime Minister and the Clerk of the Privy Council on government-wide strategic policy and planning issues. The branch also supports the President of the Privy Council.
The Operations Branch provides advise to the Prime Minister, the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, and the Clerk of the Privy Council on federal-provincial aspects of the governments policies and programs.
Various secretariats in the Security, Intelligence, and Councel Branch give policy or legal advise to Ministers and the Prime Minister, and the PCO. Overall, it coordinates and manages the Government’s legislative program.
The Machinery of Government and Senior Personnel Branch provides information and advise to the Prime Minister to assist him in determining the organisation of Cabinet and the government.
The Intergovernmental Affairs Branch advises the Prime Minister, the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, and the Clerk of the Privy Council on government-wide strategic policy and planning issues related to the evolution of the federation and the conduct of federal-provincial relations. This includes policy advise on constitutional issues, and preparation for bilateral and multilateral meetings with the provinces. The Branch also supports the minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Stéphane Dion, in coordinating the work being undertaken to improve the efficiency of the federation, including overlap and duplication, and to clarify federal roles in relation to other orders of government. The regional office in Montréal provides information and policy advise on matters affecting the federal government’s relations with Québec. [mandate of Stéphane Dion's department]
The Clerk of the Privy Council is Mel Cappe.
The unity operations of the PCO are overseen by George Anderson.PCO MISSION (Source: PCO)
To serve Canada and Canadians by providing the best non-partisan advice and support to the Prime Minister and Cabinet. PCO VALUES
Recognition of the special need of the Prime Minister for timely advice and support.
Dedication to work and to the effective functioning of government.
Belief that integrity, judgement and discretion are essential to achieving the mission.
Belief that people are the strength of PCO.
DETAILED ORGANISATIONAL INFORMATION (May 1998)
Contents
Introduction
Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet
Associate Secretary to the Cabinet and Deputy Clerk of the Privy Council
Deputy Minister (Intergovernmental Affairs)
Deputy Secretary, Intergovernmental Policy
Deputy Secretary, Intergovernmental Operations
Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet (Plans and Consultation)
Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet (Operations)
Foreign Policy Advisor to the Prime Minister and Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet (Foreign and Defence Policy)
Deputy Clerk of the Privy Council and Counsel
Coordinator of Security and Intelligence
Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet (Management Priorities and Senior Personnel Secretariat)
Assistant Deputy Minister (Corporate Services)
Administration Division
Financial Services Division
Informatics and Technical Services Division
Information Services Division
Human Resources Division
Access to Information and Privacy Office
Executive Correspondence ServicesThe Privy Council Office (PCO) reports directly to the Prime Minister and is headed by the Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet. It is both the Cabinet secretariat and the Prime Ministers’ source of public service advice across the entire spectrum of policy questions and operational issues facing the Government, including matters relating to the management of the federation and constitutional development.
The PCO also provides the necessary support to the Deputy Prime Minister, Government Leaders in the House of Commons and in the Senate, the President of the Privy Council and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs as well as the Minister designated as the Federal Interlocutor for Métis and non-status Indians.
This document provides an overview of the roles and responsibilities of the current senior staff of PCO in carrying out these functions. Click here to download the organizational chart of the PCO.
PRIVY COUNCIL OFFICE
CLERK OF THE PRIVY COUNCIL AND SECRETARY TO THE CABINET
As the senior public servant supporting the Prime Minister, the Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet has three primary responsibilities:
as the Prime Minister’s Deputy Minister, provides advice and support to the Prime Minister on a full range of responsibilities as head of government, including management of the federation;
as the Secretary to the Cabinet, provides support and advice to the Ministry as a whole and oversees the provision of policy and secretariat support to Cabinet and Cabinet Committees;
as the Head of the Public Service, is responsible for the quality of expert, professional and non-partisan advice and service provided by the Public Service to the Prime Minister, the Ministry and to all Canadians.
ASSOCIATE SECRETARY TO THE CABINET AND DEPUTY CLERK OF THE PRIVY COUNCIL OFFICE
The Associate Secretary to the Cabinet and Deputy Clerk of the Privy Council assists the Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet and can act on his or her behalf on the full range of policy and operational issues before the Privy Council Office.
DEPUTY MINISTER (INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS)
The Deputy Minister (Intergovernmental Affairs) is responsible for providing advice and support on policies and communications related to federal-provincial relations and aboriginal affairs, the evolution of the federation and Canadian unity. The Deputy Minister directs and manages the Intergovernmental Affairs office which serves the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and, through the Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet, the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
This includes four broad areas:
policy advice and strategic planning related to national unity, the broad federal provincial agenda, as well as constitutional and legal issues;
liaison and advice on relations with the provinces, including assessment of provincial priorities, monitoring of policy files with important intergovernmental dimensions, and renewal of the federation;
communications support on issues and initiatives with important federal-provincial dimensions; and
aboriginal affairs.
Deputy Secretary, Intergovernmental Policy
The Deputy Secretary, Intergovernmental Policy, is responsible for the development of strategic planning, integrated analysis, and options and advice on policy. The Deputy Secretary is supported by four divisions.
Assistant Deputy Minister (Aboriginal Affairs)
The Aboriginal Affairs Division provides advice and support on Aboriginal policy and constitutional matters and is responsible for the strategic policy framework for federal-provincial-Aboriginal relations. The Division coordinates intergovernmental consultations on federal policy development, and provides advice on the domestic implications of Canadian government interventions in international fora dealing with Aboriginal issues.
The Division also provides support to the Minister designated as Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians. In this capacity, the Division represents the federal government in tripartite self-government negotiations with provincial governments and representatives of Métis and off-reserve Aboriginal people. It also engages in bilateral consultations with national Aboriginal organizations. Finally, it provides policy and strategic advice on the management of issues related to Métis and off-reserve Aboriginal people within the federal government.
Director General, Policy and Research
The Policy and Research Division is responsible for conducting policy analysis and providing advice on issues related to the medium and long-term evolution of the Canadian federation; for conducting research on social, economic, fiscal and other issues, including public opinion, that impact on intergovernmental relations, the operation of the federation and Canadian unity; and for monitoring relevant information and research in the academic and policy communities across Canada.
Director General, Constitutional Affairs and Intergovernmental Policies
The Constitutional Affairs Division is responsible for the provision of advice on issues related to constitutional reform and the on-going evolution of the Canadian federation; and for monitoring, screening and processing information related to constitutional issues between the federal and provincial governments.
Director General, Strategy and Plans
The Strategy and Plans Division provides strategic planning, research and policy advice on the conduct of intergovernmental relations in the context of the government’s objectives for national unity. This includes development of scenarios and options to assist the Prime Minister, the Minister and the Cabinet in decision making on unity.
Deputy Secretary, Intergovernmental Operations
The Deputy Secretary, Intergovernmental Operations is responsible for providing an integrated view of relations with the provinces, across the government’s broad policy agenda and options and advice on communications issues related to intergovernmental relations. The Deputy Secretary works with the Operations and Plans Branches of the PCO to integrate federal-provincial considerations in the assessment of policy options. The Directors General of Intergovernmental Communications, Provincial Analysis, Coordination and Advisory Services and Strategic Analysis support the Deputy Secretary in the execution of this mandate.
Director General, Provincial Analysis
The Provincial Analysis group provides the Prime Minister and the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs with strategic and tactical advice on overall management of federal-provincial relations. This group monitors the changing situation in the provinces and territories, identifies issues and trends and assesses the provincial governments’ approaches and positions on files concerning the federation. It plays a leading role in organizing and managing bilateral and multilateral First Ministers meetings, including First Ministers’ Conferences.
Director General, Coordination and Advisory Services
This group provides departments with strategic and tactical advice in the development of their intergovernmental negotiations on major issues, as well as an assessment of how the situation is evolving in the province concerned. On request, it provides departments with strategic advice for the development of policies and programs containing an intergovernmental component. The group monitors ongoing negotiations and offers its services to the departments concerned, identifies problematic questions and evaluates possible approaches with a view to concluding the negotiations to the parties’ satisfaction.
Director General, Strategic Analysis
The Strategic Analysis Division undertakes strategic analyses of pan-Canadian federal-provincial issues and approaches that affect the federation. It also provides strategic advice on non-constitutional means of modernizing the federation, and on the management of policy initiatives key to the government’s national unity agenda.
Director General, Intergovernmental Communications
The Intergovernmental Communications Division provides strategic advice on the intergovernmental aspects of government-wide communications activities and initiatives. The Division is also responsible for preparing speeches and other communications material and contributing to letters related to intergovernmental relations. In addition, the Division oversees parliamentary affairs and prepares material related to intergovernmental issues.
DEPUTY SECRETARY TO THE CABINET (PLANS AND CONSULTATION)
The Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet (Plans and Consultation), is responsible for considering all matters of government policy from the standpoint of the Government’s key priorities and plans and provides direction to the following secretariats:
- Priorities and Planning Secretariat
- Liaison Secretariat for Macroeconomic Policy
- Communications and Consultation Secretariat
- Strategic Projects Unit
The Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet provides advice on strategic policy issues. The Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet is also responsible for providing secretariat support to Cabinet and for providing advice on communications and consultation across the government.
Particular attention is paid to the Budget, the Speech from the Throne and other special or priority issues that may arise from time to time. Emphasis is placed upon ensuring that Ministers are apprised of interrelationships between issues in the context of the Government’s strategic priorities.
Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet (Priorities and Planning)
The Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet (Priorities and Planning) is responsible for assisting the Government in defining its objectives and priorities, for overseeing the development of policies consistent with these priorities, and for liaison on these matters with all other parts of the Privy Council Office and with other government departments. The secretariat also provides staff support for meetings of the full Cabinet, Deputies’ Breakfast and the Coordinating Committee of Deputy Ministers on Policy.
Assistant Secretary (Liaison Secretariat for Macroeconomic Policy)
The Assistant Secretary (Liaison Secretariat for Macroeconomic Policy) provides strategic policy advice and analysis on economic and fiscal matters and also works closely with the Department of Finance, the Treasury Board Secretariat and other PCO secretariats in providing analysis and advice on the economic and financial aspects of a number of major policy files, including the Budget.
Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet (Communications and Consultation)
The Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet (Communications and Consultation Secretariat) provides advice and support on communications issues and is responsible for coordinating government-wide communications and consultations.
Executive Director (Strategic Projects Unit)
The Executive Director (Strategic Projects Unit) provides advice on select initiatives and projects requiring strategic policy advice and development. The unit is also responsible for doing research in various horizontal policy areas identified as priorities by senior management, or on matters of special interest to the Clerk of the Privy Council.
DEPUTY SECRETARY TO THE CABINET (OPERATIONS)
The Operations Branch, under the Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet (Operations) is primarily accountable for providing policy advice for the effective operation of the Cabinet Committee for the Social Union, the Cabinet Committee for the Economic Union and the Special Committee of Council.
The Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet has overall responsibility for two policy secretariats:
- Economic and Regional Development Policy
- Social Development Policy
The Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet also has responsibility for:
- Orders in Council Division
- Cabinet Papers System Unit
The secretariats work with the Department of Finance and the Treasury Board Secretariat, and with line departments, on key policy and related funding issues. They also participate in or coordinate interdepartmental work and provide advice on federal-provincial aspects of the Government’s policies and programs.
Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet (Economic and Regional Development Policy)
The Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet (Economic and Regional Development Policy) is accountable for monitoring, coordinating and advising on specific issues in economic and regional development policy and trade policy and priorities, and their implications for federal-provincial relations.
The policy sector includes the following areas: natural resources, agriculture, fisheries and oceans, environment, privatization, regulatory affairs, science and technology, industrial and regional development, transport, communications, trade, investment and competition policy. The Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet is accountable for the effective functioning of the Cabinet Committee for the Economic Union and various ad hoc committees as required including supporting the government in strengthening the Canadian economy.
Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet (Social Development Policy)
The Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet (Social Development Policy) is responsible for monitoring, coordinating, and providing advice on social development policy issues and priorities including their implications for federal-provincial relations.
The policy sector covers: culture, income security, employment insurance and related labour market measures, labour relations, aboriginal issues, justice and human rights, policing, corrections, citizenship, immigration, health, northern political development, veterans affairs, national revenue, official languages, multiculturalism and policies with respect to children, housing, seniors, persons with disabilities and status of women. The Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet is also responsible for the effective functioning of the Cabinet Committee for the Social Union and for ad hoc committees as required, including assisting the government in strengthening and modernizing the social union.
Assistant Clerk of the Privy Council (Orders in Council)
The Assistant Clerk of the Privy Council (Orders in Council) provides secretariat services to the Special Committee of Council and is responsible for the approval of Orders in Council, regulations and other Statutory Instruments, and for providing advice on the use of Orders in Council and/or Instruments of Advice. The Orders in Council Division produces and distributes Orders in Council (including certificates of appointment), prepares a weekly agenda for submission of these documents to the Special Committee of Council, and transmits Orders and Instruments to the Governor General for final approval. The Division administers the Statutory Instruments Act regarding the registration and publication of regulations in Part II of the Canada Gazette.
The Assistant Clerk of the Privy Council is also responsible for planning swearing-in ceremonies at Rideau Hall, including Cabinet shuffles. The Division maintains records of approved Orders in Council, the Consolidated Index of Statutory Instruments, and a number of Oath Books.
Chief, Cabinet Papers System Unit
The Chief, Cabinet Papers System Unit provides administrative support services to Cabinet and Cabinet committees. It is responsible for the format, distribution and control of Cabinet Papers, Cabinet Committee meeting agendas, Memoranda to Cabinet and other documentation, produces the schedule for Cabinet and Cabinet Committee meetings and assists in arranging these meetings. The unit also provides advice and training on the preparation of Cabinet documents.
FOREIGN POLICY ADVISOR TO THE PRIME MINISTER AND ASSISTANT SECRETARY TO THE CABINET (FOREIGN AND DEFENCE POLICY)
The Foreign Policy Advisor to the Prime Minister and Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet (Foreign and Defence Policy) has two major functions. The first derives from the Prime Minister’s responsibility as head of government to be actively involved in the formulation and execution of foreign and defence policy. The Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet provides advice to the Prime Minister on major foreign policy issues, and supports him or her in dealings with other heads of government and heads of state (e.g., correspondence, visits to Canada, and foreign travel). In addition, the Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet deals directly, on behalf of the Prime Minister, with foreign government representatives in Canada and with senior officials of foreign leaders’ offices.
DEPUTY CLERK OF THE PRIVY COUNCIL AND COUNSEL
The Deputy Clerk of the Privy Council and Counsel is responsible for providing legal advice to PCO, for the coordination and management of the Government’s legislative program, for the provision of advice related to Parliamentary issues, and for the provision of policy advice on electoral issues.
The Deputy Clerk of the Privy Council and Counsel provides advice on the framework of our institutions of government, and the interrelationships between the institutions, and the key officials—elected and appointed—who staff them.
In carrying out these functions, the Deputy Clerk of the Privy Council and Counsel is supported by two secretariats: the Legislation and House Planning/Counsel Secretariat and the Machinery of Government Secretariat.
Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet (Legislation and House Planning/Counsel)
The Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet (Legislation and House Planning/Counsel) is responsible for the Legislation and House Planning/Counsel Secretariat. This secretariat is responsible for coordination and management of the Government’s legislative program. The secretariat provides services to the Government House Leader in the process of approving legislation for introduction in Parliament and advice on legislation, Parliamentary practices and procedures, Parliamentary Committee matters and on any issues that arise in Parliament. The secretariat also provides advice to Government House and Senate Leaders on any related issue and is responsible for policy advice to the Government House Leader on the Elections Act and other electoral legislation and parliamentary issues.
The secretariat also provides legal advice on a wide variety of issues to other secretariats in the Privy Council Office in particular with respect to Cabinet confidences, conventions, the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act, Commissions of Inquiry, senior personnel issues and issues related to the deliberations of Cabinet. It also is involved in court cases with government-wide implications and all federal electoral litigation.
The Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet is also responsible for the office of Parliamentary Returns which ensures that all the information or material sought by both Houses pertaining to written questions, petitions and notices of motions for the production of papers is provided in the most efficient and satisfactory manner and tabled forthwith.
Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet (Machinery of Government)
The Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet (Machinery of Government) provides advice and support on matters related to the Prime Minister’s prerogative and responsibilities as architect and umpire of our system of Cabinet Government. The business of the secretariat includes providing advice and support on:
the structure, organization and functioning of government;
ministerial mandates and responsibilities;
transition from government to government, including organizing Cabinet and its committees; and
issues related to the role of the Crown, the Governor General, Government House and the honours policy.
As well, support is provided to the Cabinet Committee system on specific Public Service policy issues and priorities.
COORDINATOR OF SECURITY AND INTELLIGENCE
The Coordinator of Security and Intelligence has four main functions:
To support the Prime Minister by providing information, advice and recommendations on security and intelligence policy matters;
To provide coordination to the security and intelligence activities of all Canadian government departments and agencies;
To be responsible, together with the Deputy Minister of National Defence, to the Minister of National Defence, for the Communications Security Establishment, (an agency which provides the government with foreign intelligence and guidance on the security of government telecommunications and electronic data processing); and
To oversee the intelligence assessment function, a service based on interdepartmental contributions which produces and coordinates intelligence assessments on a wide range of subjects for the Prime Minister, other Ministers and senior officials of government.
In carrying out these functions, the Coordinator is supported by two Secretariats:
Security and Intelligence Secretariat
The Security and Intelligence Secretariat provides overall coordination and policy direction to the security and intelligence sector. It supports the Interdepartmental Committee on Security and Intelligence (ICSI), which is a committee of Deputy Ministers, chaired by the Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet and Vice-Chaired by the Coordinator of Security and Intelligence. The Secretariat plays a coordinating role in the overall management and priorities of intelligence organizations and provides policy guidance to the intelligence community.
Within the Secretariat, the Security Operations Unit is responsible for the physical and personnel security of the Prime Minister’s Office and PCO, including matters such as the security of classified documents and security clearances for personnel. The unit provides security for Cabinet meetings and other conferences which the Prime Minister chairs, and briefs Cabinet Ministers and their key staff members on security requirements. The unit also coordinates personal protection for the Prime Minister and security of official residences with the RCMP.
Intelligence Assessment Secretariat
The Intelligence Assessment Secretariat produces foreign intelligence assessments. It coordinates the interdepartmental activities and assessments of the Intelligence Assessment Committee, chaired by the Executive Director, whose membership is composed of senior officials from the departments and agencies most concerned with intelligence matters.
ASSISTANT SECRETARY TO THE CABINET (MANAGEMENT PRIORITIES AND SENIOR PERSONNEL SECRETARIAT)
The Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet (Management Priorities and Senior Personnel Secretariat) is responsible for strategic management of senior public service and public sector personnel in support of the Government’s management agenda. The Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet provides advice and support on the selection, appointment, career planning, compensation, performance review and termination of Governor in Council (GiC) appointees, with particular emphasis on Deputy Ministers, Associate Deputy Ministers and Heads of Agencies. The secretariat also provides advice on human resource policy and planning in the Public Service and the GiC community.
The Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet also 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 upon public service reform. A major responsibility is the overall coordination and monitoring of the strategic management agenda and for leading on specific files assigned to PCO within the common central agency work plan.
ASSISTANT DEPUTY MINISTER (CORPORATE SERVICES)
The Assistant Deputy Minister (Corporate Services) is responsible for the provision of administrative, financial, human resources, information, informatics and technical services to the Prime Minister’s Office, the Privy Council Office and associated Ministers’ Offices(1). Some of these services are also available to Commissions of Inquiry(2).
In addition to these standard services, the Corporate Services Branch also responds to requests for access to information under the Access to Information and Privacy Acts and is responsible for processing mail addressed to the Prime Minister and the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs. The responsibilities of the divisions are described in more detail below.
Administration Division
The Administration Division provides the following services:
Accommodation and Building Services (accommodation planning and allocation, building services as well as maintenance, repairs and renovations). At this time, the employees of the Privy Council Office occupy offices in the following main locations: the Langevin Block, the Blackburn Building, Postal Station "B", 66 Slater and the Royal Bank Centre;
Telecommunications Services (management of the Prime Minister’s switchboard and the Message Centre which handles the receipt and dispatch of classified and unclassified telegrams, as well as the provision of telephone services);
Materiel Management Services (procurement of stationery and office supplies, office equipment, furniture and furnishings);
Contracting Services (advice and assistance, including the preparation and issuance of the appropriate contractual documents); and
Printing Services, Mail and Messenger Services and Conference Services, including the assignment of Cabinet Attendants as door keepers at Cabinet, Cabinet Committee and other meetings. (These attendants set up all audio and video equipment, deliver messages within the meeting rooms and pick up documents after the meetings.)
Financial Services Division
The Financial Services Division has two sections: the Financial Planning and Analysis Section and the Accounting Operations and Financial Systems Section.
The Financial Planning and Analysis Section plays a key advisory role in all aspects of financial administration within the Department. It is responsible for corporate financial planning, administers the annual resource allocation exercise and any program review that may occur. It also coordinates and prepares the submissions to the Treasury Board of the Program’s Business Plan, the Annual Reference Level Update (ARLU), the Main Estimates and any Supplementary Estimates that may be required. It also provides departmental management with financial reports on salary and other operating costs.
The Accounting Operations and Financial Systems Section provides financial accounting services (including accounts payable and receivable, petty cash, distribution of pay and other cheques, travellers’ cheques and taxi vouchers) and advisory services, including advice on the interpretation and application of accounting policies and directives such as travel advances and expenses, hospitality claims, relocation and other special expenses. The section also oversees the departmental financial coding structure and the delegation of financial signing authorities.
Informatics and Technical Services Division
The Informatics and Technical Services Division is responsible for the installation and maintenance of all the personal computers and printers required by the Privy Council Office, the Prime Minister’s Office and associated Ministers’ offices. It also manages the computer network and central computer facilities. Each user on the network has secure access to personal files, workgroup shared files and central departmental files, including a number of CD-ROM information services. Through GroupWise, the network provides internal electronic mail connection as well as to other government departments.
The Audio-Video Services Unit delivers cable television services and television news recording services. It also provides translation and multimedia technical support in meeting rooms, including the Cabinet Room. It maintains a library of all the Prime Minister’s speeches and provides the technical support for the recording and distribution of video messages.
The Tour Support Group provides informatics and technical support when the Prime Minister travels throughout the world. Services include the provision of secure telephone and facsimile systems, workstation and computer network systems, and broadcast sound and lighting systems.
Information Services Division
The Information Services Division, provides information and research services, including an information and document acquisition, organization, retrieval and delivery service for published materials, regardless of format. In addition, the Division plays a lead role in the implementation and use of the Internet in the Department, including administrative support for the internal Internet Committee. The overall management of the internal bulletin board system, the Communicator, is also one of its responsibilities, as well as the management of departmental publications and the delivery of electronic information such as the Virtual Library.
The Division is responsible for the delivery of media monitoring services including paper and electronic newspaper clippings, online and manual searches for retrospective information, media summaries and headline review delivered electronically via the Communicator.
The Division is responsible for the implementation of the Department’s Information Management Program. The Division is also responsible for records and document services and for the protection, preservation and scheduling of departmental records holdings in all media and formats.
Human Resources Division
The Human Resources Division is responsible for assisting managers with the classification of positions, the recruitment of employees and the administration of secondments.
The Division also administers the departmental programs of staff relations, employment equity, health and safety, professional and internal language training, official languages, employee assistance and awards and recognition. It also provides advice and counselling in these areas to employees and managers.
Access to Information and Privacy Office
The Access to Information and Privacy Office is responsible for administering the departmental programs concerning the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act for the Privy Council Office. A reading room is provided where the public may examine departmental records and manuals and Cabinet Agenda title lists from 20 years ago.
The Access to Information and Privacy Office is also responsible for coordinating the provision of responses to written Parliamentary questions which have been referred to this Department and for reviewing 30-year old Cabinet Records prior to their transfer to National Archives.
Executive Correspondence Services
Executive Correspondence Services (ECS) consist of two units: the Executive Correspondence Unit (ECU), which is responsible for processing mail addressed to or from the Prime Minister as Head of Government; and the Departmental Correspondence Unit (DCU), which is responsible for processing mail addressed to or from the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs in his role as a Minister of the Crown.
The two units work closely with officials in the Prime Minister’s Office and the Minister’s office to ensure the quality and timeliness of all replies.
Mail which is personal or political (dealing with constituency business, party political matters or the private life or personal affairs of the individual) is sent to the designated officer in either the Prime Minister’s Office or the Minister’s Office, as the activity pertaining to such letters is their responsibility.
1. The Privy Council Office provides support to those ministers with special responsibilities in support of the Prime Minister (e.g. the Deputy Prime Minister, the President of the Privy Council and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and the Leader of the Government in the Senate).
2. At the moment there is one Commission of Inquiry: the Indian Specific Claims Commission. In addition, the PCO currently provides administrative support to the Office of the Communications Security Establishment Commissioner.
