Anti-Racism Secretariat Transferred to ESDC

Summary#

• This is the Order Transferring from the Department of Canadian Heritage to the Department of Employment and Social Development the Control and Supervision of the Anti-Racism Secretariat: SI/2023-53.
• It moves administrative control of the federal Anti-Racism Secretariat from Department of Canadian Heritage to Department of Employment and Social Development. The order was made on July 26, 2023 (P.C. 2023-783) and registered in the Canada Gazette on August 16, 2023.

What it does#

• Transfers the control and supervision of the portion of the federal public administration known as the Anti-Racism Secretariat from Department of Canadian Heritage to Department of Employment and Social Development.
• The transfer is done under the Public Service Rearrangement and Transfer of Duties Act.

Who's affected#

• Staff and managers who work in the Anti-Racism Secretariat are the most directly affected, since their administrative reporting and oversight now sit with a different department.
• The two departments involved — Department of Canadian Heritage and Department of Employment and Social Development — will see an internal change in responsibilities.
• Other federal offices, advocacy groups, and members of the public who interact with the Secretariat may notice a change in who they contact or which department handles related questions. The order does not detail changes to programs, budgets, or services.

Why it matters#

• This is an administrative or organizational change in how the federal government manages its anti-racism work.
• It could change where decisions are made, who the main points of contact are, and how anti-racism efforts are coordinated across government.
• The order itself does not state any new policy or program changes; it simply moves responsibility from one department to another.