Departments to Support Economic Development Minister

Summary#

The Canada Gazette published the Order Designating the Department of (1) Canadian Heritage; (2) Industry to provide support to the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages: SI/2019-105. The order, registered December 11, 2019 and made by P.C. on November 20, 2019, assigns which federal departments will provide support to the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages.

What it does#

• Under the Salaries Act, the order designates the Department of Canadian Heritage to provide support to the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages for the Minister’s responsibilities that relate to official languages.
• It designates the Department of Industry to provide support to that Minister for all of the Minister’s other responsibilities.
• This is an administrative designation about which departments supply support and services to the Minister. The order does not describe new programs, funding, or changes to laws in the text.

Who's affected#

• The Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and the minister’s office (administrative support and coordination).
• The Department of Canadian Heritage and the Department of Industry, and their public servants who will carry out the designated support tasks.
• Organizations and members of the public who interact with the Minister’s office (for example, on official languages or economic development matters) might notice small changes in which department handles requests or coordination.
• The order itself does not specify broader effects on programs or funding, so concrete impacts on external stakeholders are unclear from the text.

Why it matters#

• It clarifies who in government is responsible for providing departmental support to the Minister. That affects who coordinates files, provides advice, and handles administrative tasks.
• For people dealing with official languages files, the point of contact and supporting department is the Department of Canadian Heritage. For other matters handled by the Minister, the supporting department is Industry.
• For most members of the public this is a routine administrative step with limited direct impact on services or benefits.