Terms of Reference of the Public Service Management Advisory Committee

1. Mandate

The Public Service Management Advisory Committee (PSMAC) provides a forum for consultation, collaboration and discussion on the public service management agenda and emerging public sector management issues.

Provides strategic advice and, as needed, contributes to other Deputy Minister Committees in support of advancing, integrating, and implementing the public service management agenda.
Provides strategic advice in support of the development and implementation of Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat led initiatives related to management frameworks, and expenditure, financial and people management.
Engages in medium-term policy planning with a view to identifying emerging public sector management issues and shaping the future direction of the management agenda.
Reviews and contributes to:
- policies and strategies related to the management agenda prior to submission to Treasury Board for approval; and
- matters referred by the Board of Management and Renewal.
Collaborates on key public sector management initiatives (e.g., shared internal services, common processes and standards).
Advises Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat and the Deputy Minister community on the central agency / Deputy Minister relationship, including their respective roles and responsibilities.
Evaluates progress in implementing the public service management agenda and advises on any necessary adjustments to implementation strategies.

Co-chaired by the Secretary of the Treasury Board and the Chief Human Resources Officer.

Membership is at the discretion of the Co-chairs and comprises Deputy Ministers and Associate Deputy Ministers from organizations within and outside of the core public administration. Additional organizations may be invited to join at the discretion of the Co-Chairs based on the organization’s mandate, scope, perspective (e.g. regional representation, organizational size, central agency or enterprise-wide services role), and to encourage a diversity of views and experiences that can inform discussions about the management agenda. Standing members are included as Annex A. Membership will be reviewed regularly to ensure comprehensive representation.
Delegates will not be permitted. In the case of a long-term vacancy, a single alternate may be identified for Co-chair approval.
In person attendance is expected for those working in the National Capital Region. Virtual participation will be granted on a case-by-case basis for those working outside the National Capital Region.
Observers are welcomed where relevant to agenda items or for learning development opportunities. TBS Committees Secretariat requires a minimum three-day advanced notice and attendance is subject to approval by the Co-chairs.

Final presentation material must be submitted to the TBS Committees Secretariat in both official languages one week prior to the planned meeting date.
Meeting materials must be accessible according to the Government of Canada’s Digital Accessibility Toolkit and must include a slide attestation.
The TBS Committees Secretariat reserves the right to defer items if presentation material is submitted late or if it does not meet official language or accessibility requirements.
Presentations are generally limited to a maximum of 5 minutes, to allow for sufficient discussion.
PSMAC members are expected to have reviewed meeting documents in advance of the meeting.

The TBS Committees Secretariat is responsible for the agenda management, providing advice to the Chairs, document distribution, meeting briefing, tracking, transparency and the forward agenda.

In addition, the representative of the Heads of Federal Agencies Secretariat is included as a standing member.