Departmental Committees Overview

Public Safety has several established committees, many which provide oversight over key departmental activities.  In summer 2019, an Audit of Governance was conducted to assess whether Public Safety Canada’s internal governance structure operates effectively and provides sufficient oversight.  The findings of this Audit were that Public Safety Canada has established governance bodies that operate in compliance with their terms of reference and provide oversight over key departmental activities. However, improvements can be made to clarify elements of the terms of reference and increase effectiveness of the governance structure.

Work is ongoing to address the recommendations from the Audit. 

Committees Chaired by the Deputy Minister

Executive Committee (Excom)

The Excom, which meets once a week, serves as a forum for the Deputy Minister and Associate Deputy Minister to provide strategic direction, debrief on meetings, receive updates, review the departmental agenda and discuss substantive key policy issues. Committee membership includes all Assistant Deputy Ministers (ADMs), the Executive Director and Senior General Counsel of Legal Services, the Chief Audit and Evaluation Executive, and the Deputy Minister's Chief of Staff. This committee is chaired by the Deputy Minister and in her absence, by the Associate Deputy Minister. Should need be, Excom is able to make decisions on behalf of all other committees. The Director General (DG) Cabinet and Parliamentary Affairs and Executive Services serves as the Secretary to this committee.

Internal Policy Committee (IPC)

The IPC meets once a week following Executive Committee to consider key Departmental policy issues and provide integrated strategic advice on draft Departmental Memoranda to Cabinet (MC) and relevant Portfolio MCs. The membership includes the Associate Deputy Minister, all ADMs, the Executive Director and Senior General Counsel of Legal Services, the Director General of Audit and Evaluation, and the Deputy Minister's Chief of Staff. The committee is chaired by the Deputy Minister and in her absence by the Associate Deputy Minister. Secretariat services are provided by the Portfolio Affairs and Communications Branch.

Departmental Management Committee (DMC)

The DMC provides oversight and makes decisions regarding the Department's operation and direction in the areas of financial management, human resources management and general management. The DMC identifies strategic priorities, provides operational direction for the day-to-day management of the Department, and monitors progress made over established performance indicators and targets. The committee, which meets every two weeks, is chaired by the Deputy Minister, and if absent, by the Associate Deputy Minister. Committee membership includes all Assistant Deputy Ministers (ADMs), the Executive Director and Senior General Counsel of Legal Services, the Chief Audit and Evaluation Executive, the Director General of Communications, and the Deputy Minister's Chief of Staff. Secretariat support is provided by the Corporate Services Directorate of the Corporate Management Branch.

Independent Committees

Departmental Audit Committee (DAC)

The DAC provides objective advice to the Deputy Minister on the state of the Department's control and accountability processes. This committee includes a majority of external members recruited from outside the federal public administration who are not affiliated with Public Safety Canada, as to guarantee an impartial review of management practices. The internal members are the Deputy Minister and Associate Deputy Minister. The committee reports annually on its activities and the results of its reviews as well as assessments on departmental provisions intended to: promote public service values; ensure compliance with laws, regulations and policies; manage corporate risk; maintain effective internal control; and conduct internal audits. DAC members are supported by a Secretariat, which is located in the Internal Audit and Evaluation Directorate.

Performance Measurement and Evaluation Committee (PMEC)

The PMEC supports the Deputy Minister in establishing and maintaining robust performance measurement and evaluation functions by:

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