Raison d’être, mandate and role - Canadian Heritage

Raison d’être

The Department of Canadian Heritage (the Department) and its Portfolio organizations play a vital role in the cultural, civic and economic life of Canadians. Our policies and programs promote an environment where Canadians can experience dynamic cultural expressions, celebrate our history and heritage and build strong communities. The Department invests in the future by supporting the arts, our official and Indigenous languages, multiculturalism and our athletes and the sport system.

• Mandate and role
• Operating context

Departmental Results Framework

While sectors and branches make up the Department’s organization structure, the Departmental Results Framework (DFR) is based on a set of core responsibilities that reflect the Department’s mandate.

The DRF includes five core responsibilities:

• Creativity, arts and culture
• Heritage and celebration
• Sport
• Diversity and inclusion
• Official languages

Internal Services are grouped as a final responsibility, serving the Department as a whole.

Our service commitment

At Canadian Heritage, we are committed to excellence in the delivery of our programs and services to Canadians.

Read about this commitment in our Client Service Charter.

Results for Canadians

Canadian Heritage’s objectives and the results achieved are available in two main public reports.

The Departmental Plan presents the Department’s planned initiatives and expenditures. It provides details on what we do: our main priorities, human resource requirements, major capital projects, grants and contributions, and net program costs.

The Departmental Results Report tells us what results were achieved following the expectations set out in the Departmental Plan and on GC InfoBase, an online results website hosted by Treasury Board Secretariat.

Mandate and role

The Department’s mandate is set out in the Department of Canadian Heritage Act and centres on fostering and promoting Canadian identity and values, cultural development, and heritage.

To achieve its objectives, Canadian Heritage collaborates with a wide range of partners ranging from the private sector, public institutions and non-profit organizations that serve Canadians to enrich cultural experiences, promote multiculturalism, strengthen identity, and encourage participation in sport and within our communities. The Department also engages with Canadians through programs that support a wide range of activities from youth exchanges, through commemorations and celebrations, to high performance sports and multiculturalism. These programs are delivered through our headquarters and five regional offices across the country.

Operating context

The work of Canadian Heritage will continue to play an important role in the lives of Canadians in a dynamic and evolving context. Globalization is creating new domestic and international markets that provide significant opportunities to promote and invest in Canadian creative industries and Canadian creators. The rise of new technologies and digital platforms are changing the way Canadians create, access and experience culture. As the Canadian population becomes increasingly diverse, there is an opportunity to build on Canada’s strength in achieving inclusive diversity. In international surveys, Canadians are amongst the most likely to say they are “very proud” of their country. Canada can play an influential role in promoting diversity globally and to share the lessons of its unique historical experience as a multicultural, bilingual, treaty nation with the shared values of human rights. Given the mandate and responsibilities of the Department, Canadian Heritage will continue to play a key role in promoting and celebrating a multicultural and inclusive society that strengthens and sustains the Canadian social contract and promotes innovation and economic prosperity.

As Canadian Heritage continues to ensure that its work is relevant and responsive to these drivers of change, it must also meet the evolving expectations and needs of Canadians with respect to how we deliver our programs. The Government of Canada is committed to openness, transparency and modern service delivery. Canadians want their business with the government to be user-friendly, timely and efficient and our programs to achieve concrete results that make a difference in their lives. For this reason, the Department is taking action and leading efforts for one-stop government services that are digital, transparent and can demonstrate concrete results for Canadians.