Section 22: Core responsibility descriptions

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Internal Services

Internal Services are those groups of related activities and resources that the Federal Government considers to be services in support of programs and/or required to meet corporate obligations of an organization. Internal Services refer to the activities and resources of ten distinct services that support program delivery in the organization, regardless of the Internal Services delivery model in a department. These services are: Acquisition Management Services, Communications Services, Financial Management Services, Human Resources Management Services, Information Management Services, Information Technology Services, Legal Services, Materiel Management Services, Management and Oversight Services, Real Property Management Services.

Privy Council Office

Serve the Prime Minister and Cabinet

To deliver analysis, advice and support to the Prime Minister and Ministers of the Portfolio including non-partisan advice and information from across the Public Service resulting from consultations and collaboration with international and domestic sources inside and outside government. To act as secretariat to the Cabinet and its committees including managing the Cabinet's decision-making system; coordinate departmental policy proposals to Cabinet; schedule and provide support services for meetings of Cabinet and Cabinet committees; advance the Government's agenda across federal departments and agencies; and provide administrative services to the Prime Minister's Office, Portfolio Ministers and to Commissions of Inquiry. To lead and renew the public service in order to advise the government; implement its agenda; and deliver services and results to Canadians.

Internal Services

See introductory text.

Canadian Transportation Accident Investigation and Safety Board

Independent safety investigations and communication of risks in the transportation system

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada's sole objective is to advance air, marine, rail and pipeline transportation safety. This mandate is fulfilled by conducting independent investigations into selected transportation occurrences to identify the causes and contributing factors, and the safety deficiencies evidenced by these occurrences. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada makes recommendations to reduce or eliminate any such safety deficiencies and reports publicly on its investigations. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada then follows up with stakeholders to ensure that safety actions are taken to reduce risks and improve safety.

Internal Services

See introductory text.

National Security and Intelligence Review Agency Secretariat

National Security and Intelligence Reviews and Complaints Investigations

The National Security and Intelligence Review Agency reviews Government of Canada national security and intelligence activities to assess whether they are lawful, reasonable and necessary. It investigates complaints from members of the public regarding activities of Canadian Security Intelligence Service and the Communications Security Establishment or the national security activities of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, as well as certain other national security-related complaints. This independent scrutiny contributes to the strengthening of the framework of accountability for national security and intelligence activities undertaken by Government of Canada institutions and supports public confidence in this regard.

Internal Services

See introductory text.

Office of the Intelligence Commissioner

Quasi-Judicial Review of Certain Ministerial Conclusions

The Office of the Intelligence Commissioner is an independent oversight body. Under the Intelligence Commissioner Act, the Intelligence Commissioner is responsible for performing quasi-judicial reviews of the conclusions on the basis of which certain authorizations are issued or amended, and certain determinations are made, under the Communications Security Establishment Act and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service Act. In each case, the Intelligence Commissioner, supported by the Office of the Intelligence Commissioner, undertakes an in-depth analysis of the records. If the Intelligence Commissioner is satisfied that the conclusions reached by the decision-maker are reasonable, the Intelligence Commissioner must approve the authorization or determination in a written decision that sets out the reasons for doing so.

Consistent with the Intelligence Commissioner’s oversight role, an authorization or determination is valid only after it is approved by the Intelligence Commissioner. The activities described in the authorizations or determinations cannot be carried out by the intelligence agencies without the Intelligence Commissioner’s approval.

The Intelligence Commissioner Act requires that the Intelligence Commissioner’s decision be rendered within 30 days after the day on which the Intelligence Commissioner received notice of the authorization or determination, or within any other period that may be agreed on by the Intelligence Commissioner and the decision-maker. In the case of an authorization issued by the Director of Canadian Security Intelligence Service for a query of a dataset in exigent circumstances, the Intelligence Commissioner must render his or her decision and the reasons for it as soon as feasible.

Internal Services

See introductory text.

Public Service Commission

Public Service Hiring and Non-partisanship

The Public Service Commission promotes and safeguards a merit-based, representative and non-partisan public service that delivers results for all Canadians. Through policy direction and guidance, it supports departments and agencies in the hiring of qualified individuals into and within the public service, helping to shape a workforce reflecting Canada's diversity. It delivers recruitment programs and assessment services supporting the strategic recruitment priorities of the Government of Canada and the renewal of the public service, leveraging modern tools to reduce barriers for Canadians accessing public service jobs. It oversees public service hiring, ensuring the integrity of the hiring process. The Public Service Commission provides guidance to employees regarding their legal rights and responsibilities related to political activities and renders decisions on political candidacy, respecting employees' rights to participate in political activities, while protecting the non-partisan nature of the public service.

Internal Services

See introductory text.

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