Privy Council Office’s 2023–24 Departmental Results Report: At a glance

• Actual spending: $121,482,862
• Actual human resources: 682

Departmental results achieved

In 2023–24, PCO continued to be the hub across government to coordinate and provide timely, comprehensive, expert analysis and advice in support of the full spectrum of policy, budget and legislative priorities of the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Portfolio ministers, Cabinet and Cabinet committees. Key achievements included:

• PCO provided expert analysis and advice on the development of Canada’s first Sustainable Jobs Plan, as well as the introduction of Bill C-50, the Canadian Sustainable Jobs Act, into Parliament (received Royal Assent on June 20, 2024), to facilitate and promote economic growth, the creation of sustainable jobs, and support for workers and communities in Canada as the country shifts to a net-zero economy.
• PCO provided support and advice to the Prime Minister and Cabinet in decisions around the development of a National School Food Policy and Program; the Canadian Dental Care Program and Pharmacare coverage, programs that are expected to help address the cost of living for families. The National School Food Program, which focuses on accessibility, flexibility, inclusivity, sustainability, and better health, will provide meals to up to 400,000 more kids every year, beyond those served by existing school food programs.
• PCO also supported the implementation of the Housing Accelerator Fund, to accelerate the construction of homes and build safe, affordable communities for Canadians. PCO also worked with Employment and Social Development Canada in finalizing agreements for the Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) Infrastructure fund, a $625 million fund to help provinces and territories create child care spaces, supporting the planning, design, construction and renovation of non-profit spaces.
• PCO supported the introduction of legislation to modernize Canada's Competition Act in Bill C-56 and Bill C-59, which are now in force. Competition Act reforms provide the Competition Bureau with improved enforcement tools for ensuring greater competition in the marketplace, thereby increasing choice and affordability for Canadians.
• PCO Supported the Prime Minister and Cabinet committees in ongoing reconciliation efforts with First Nations, Inuit and Métis. This included providing advice to the Cabinet Committee on Reconciliation and supporting work with Indigenous partners to remove barriers, recognize rights, and advance self-determination.
• PCO supported Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada for the development of the 2024–26 Immigration Levels Plan, and provided support and advice on ongoing efforts to help improve the stability and integrity of Canada’s asylum system. PCO also supported the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs by operationalizing Canada’s commitments under the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA).
• PCO coordinated the Government of Canada's response to the Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference in Federal Electoral Processes and Democratic Institutions, and supported actions to address issues facing the government of relevance to the Inquiry, in order to balance national security and public transparency. This included establishing new strategic inter departmental governance processes and supporting departments in consulting Canadians on Bill C-70 to modernize and fill gaps in existing legislation and strengthen the tools available to combat foreign interference.
• PCO worked closely with other departments to develop foreign and defence policy advice to advance Canada’s values and global interests, and prepared strategic intelligence assessments to ensure the Prime Minister and Cabinet, including the National Security Council, were provided with a whole-of-government perspective on national security matters.
• PCO continued to support the Prime Minister and Cabinet by providing operational updates across multiple hazards and throughout the 2023 flood, wildfire and hurricane seasons, and contributing to the Government’s response to significant events such as by convening the Incident Response Group meetings.
• PCO provided advice and policy support to the mandate commitments of the Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs. This included work to introduce legislation to enhance citizens’ participation and trust in Canada’s electoral process (Bill C-65, introduced on March 20, 2024).
• PCO continued to support the effective management and renewal of the Public Service, including through sustaining and accelerating momentum on the Clerk’s Call to Action on Anti-Racism, Equity and Inclusion in the Federal Public Service, and supporting a renewed dialogue on values and ethics.

More information about the core responsibility Serve the Prime Minister and Cabinet can be found in the “Results – what we achieved” section of the full Departmental Results Report.