Pacific Economic Development Agency Ministerial Transfer

Summary#

This is an order (registration SI/2023-38) that moves responsibility for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada from one minister to another. On July 26, 2023 (registered August 16, 2023), the powers, duties and functions that belonged to the Minister for International Development in relation to the agency were transferred to the President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada under the Public Service Rearrangement and Transfer of Duties Act.

What it does#

• Transfers the powers, duties and functions tied to the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada.
• Moves those responsibilities from the Minister for International Development to the President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada.
• The change was authorized by order in council P.C. 2023-763 on July 26, 2023 and appears in the Canada Gazette on August 16, 2023.

The notice does not explain any change to programs, funding, or day-to-day operations of the agency.

Who's affected#

• The main organization affected is the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada.
• Stakeholders who deal with that agency — such as businesses, community groups, and local governments in Canada’s Pacific region — may notice a different ministerial contact or point of political accountability.
• It is unclear from the notice whether agency staff or program recipients will see immediate operational changes.

Why it matters#

• Ministerial responsibility determines who answers questions in Parliament and who has political oversight. This order shifts that oversight from one minister to another.
• For people and organizations that work with the agency, the change may mean a different minister to contact and possibly different priorities over time — although the notice gives no details about any policy or funding changes.
• The order is an administrative rearrangement under the Public Service Rearrangement and Transfer of Duties Act, not a statement about new programs or new money.