Section 15: Core responsibility descriptions

Public Accounts of Canada 2023 Volume II—Top of the page Navigation

Core responsibility descriptions

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.

Office of Infrastructure of Canada

Public Infrastructure and Communities Investment Oversight and Delivery

Conduct oversight to ensure recipients comply with project requirements and projects are delivered according to agreements. Infrastructure Canada oversees programs and projects as well as major bridges, Crown Corporations and alternative financing arrangements. While Crown Corporations operate at arm's length, the department plays a secretariat role in supporting them. Across all programming, numerous monitoring activities are used to oversee projects and ensure they are delivered as expected for Canadians.

Public Infrastructure, Communities, and Rural Economic Development Policy

Infrastructure Canada sets policies for both public infrastructure and rural economic development that target the needs of Canadians and stakeholders (public/private partners) while considering finite resources. Policies are set through strategies, plans, consideration of alternative financing models and funding programs, eligibility requirements among other tools and their outcomes are monitored to inform future decision making. Policy solutions determine how the federal government supports public infrastructure development, bridges, public transit, clean water and wastewater, disaster mitigation, rural economic development, among other areas, which have impacts on the quality of life of Canadians.

Public Infrastructure, Communities, and Communities Investments

Infrastructure Canada identifies investment opportunities across a range of funding mechanisms aim to maximize value-for-money as the federal Government directs investment into infrastructure.

Internal Services

See introductory text.

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

Assistance for housing needs

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation provides federal funding to improve access to affordable housing for Canadians in housing need, including Indigenous peoples, Canadians with special or distinct needs, and certain vulnerable groups. Activities that are supported through financing include construction of new housing; ongoing assistance for the maintenance and administration of the existing subsidized housing portfolio; conversion, renewal, repair and renovation to preserve the quality of existing affordable housing; and funding to maintain housing affordability. Funding is provided through various delivery arrangements, such as direct delivery, as well as partnerships with provinces and territories, Indigenous groups, and the private and the not-for-profit sectors.

Financing for housing

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation makes financing available for housing-related initiatives, including lending activities to encourage new supply of affordable housing, support repair and renewal of existing rental housing, and promote mixed-income affordable rental housing for low- and moderate-income households. Other financing initiatives include those that may be mandated by the Government of Canada to provide support for municipal housing-related infrastructure or for the housing finance sector in Canada to facilitate access to credit.

Housing expertise and capacity development

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation provides timely evidence-based information, data and analysis to support informed decision making by government and other sectors. It also conducts research and disseminates information on a range of issues that support affordability and choice, including sustainable housing technologies. Policy advice is provided to the government on matters such as housing finance, housing needs, capital markets and housing conditions. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation supports capacity and skills development activities within the housing sector, connecting individuals and organizations with the resources and knowledge to develop responsive and innovative approaches to further affordable housing.

Canadian Intergovernmental Conference Secretariat

Intergovernmental Conference Services

The Canadian Intergovernmental Conference Secretariat provides continuity of planning and archival services and impartial administrative support for federal-provincial-territorial and provincial-territorial conferences of first ministers, ministers and deputy ministers, throughout Canada.

Internal Services

See introductory text.

Core responsibility descriptions—concluded

Leaders' Debates Commission

Organize Leaders' Debates for federal general elections

In order to execute its core responsibility to organize leaders' debates, the Debates Commission will apply mandated criteria to confirm the participation of eligible party leaders in leaders' debates during general election periods, negotiate broadcast requirements with broadcasters, ensure that Canadians have access to these broadcasts, and communicate with Canadians to ensure they are aware of when, where and how debates can be accessed.

Office of the Chief Electoral Officer

Electoral Administration

Elections Canada prepares for, delivers, and reports on federal general elections, by-elections, and referendums in accordance with the legislative framework and educates electors, first time electors, and future electors to enable Canadians participation in an inclusive electoral process.

Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Administration

Elections Canada provides independent provincial commissions with financial and administrative services to support the readjustment of the federal electoral boundaries and enable the commissions to carry out their obligations under the Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act.

Regulatory Oversight

The Office of the Chief Electoral Officer works to ensure integrity throughout the electoral process through two separate organizational components: Elections Canada and Office of the Commissioner of Canada Elections. Elections Canada administers the political financing regime in the Canada Elections Act, ensures the policies, advice, and guidance are in place to facilitate election administration in accordance with the Canada Elections Act, and monitors compliance of political entities with the political financing requirements in the Canada Elections Act. The Office of the Commissioner of Canada Elections ensures compliance with, and enforcement of, the Canada Elections Act and the Referendum Act.

Internal Services

See introductory text.

Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages

Protection of rights related to official languages

Take the appropriate steps, including complaints processing, audits and interventions, to ensure compliance with the Official Languages Act and language rights in Canada.

Advancement of French and English in Canadian society

Raise awareness of issues related to the advancement of the equal status of English and French in federal institutions and Canadian society, while supporting the development and vitality of official language minority communities.

Internal Services

See introductory text.

The Jacques-Cartier and Champlain Bridges Inc.

Use systemic management and a sustainable development approach to ensure the safety and longevity of the major infrastructure under its responsibility.

Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority

Under the terms of its Letters Patent and of the Crossing Agreement, the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority is responsible for carrying out the obligations of the Crossing Authority as a party to the Crossing Agreement and to construct, and/or operate the Detroit River International Crossing.

Public Accounts of Canada 2023 Volume II—Bottom of the page Navigation

Date modified: