Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat mandate

About

The Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS) is a central agency that acts as the administrative arm of the Treasury Board. Under the leadership of the President of the Treasury Board, it provides guidance to help departments effectively implement government policies and priorities.

TBS has 4 core responsibilities:

Spending oversight

TBS reviews departments’ spending proposals and requests for authorities and it reviews programs to ensure they are efficient, effective, and aligned with government priorities.

TBS provides analysis and advice to Treasury Board ministers, who are responsible for granting access to funds and authorities to departments.
Administrative leadership

TBS sets the direction for how money and technology are managed by departments and oversees plans to green federal operations by:
- providing guidance to departments to foster sound stewardship in the management of finances, procurement, and real property
- advancing the government’s digital transformation toward modern, integrated systems that respond to the needs of Canadians
- driving departments’ transition to greener and more climate-resilient operations (for example, by promoting the use of clean electricity for federal buildings or reducing emissions from construction materials used in federal projects and operations)
Employer

TBS manages compensation and labour relations for the core public service and sets direction for how people are managed. This includes:
- developing and implementing programs to increase diversity and inclusion in the public service (for example, to address career advancement, training, and education opportunities for Black public servants, and to attract and retain Indigenous employees)
- leading collective bargaining negotiations with public sector unions to reach fair and reasonable agreements for both employees and Canadians
Regulatory oversight

TBS promotes good regulatory practices and cooperation, and reviews proposed regulations. This includes:
- working to reduce regulatory burdens and advance modernization while protecting the environment, health and safety, and security
- administering certain federal acts and regulations
- cooperating with other Canadian and international jurisdictions on regulatory issues of common interest

The Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat is at the centre of delivering a modern, high functioning government that makes smart investments with tax dollars to deliver better programs and services for Canadians.