Operating Context - Employment and Social Development Canada

Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) plays a vital role in shaping the social and economic landscape of Canada. The department is responsible for programs and services that enhance the well-being of Canadians and support them as they move through life transitions.

Operating within a comprehensive policy framework, ESDC collaborates with various other departments and agencies, provinces, territories, municipalities, and Indigenous partners to deliver programs and services to Canadians. Within this context, ESDC offers programs that support Canadians in various aspects of their lives. This includes the Canada-wide early learning and childcare system and the Canada Child Benefit for families with children. It also includes measures to improve affordability for students by supporting their post-secondary education and facilitating their transition into the workforce. We provide support to the middle class and protect Canadians from falling into poverty. And through the Old Age Security program, we provide crucial income stability for seniors so they can retire in security and dignity.

ESDC's Labour Program is responsible for oversight and enforcement of federal labour laws and supports employers and workers by promoting safe, healthy, cooperative and productive workplaces. It works to help resolve workplace differences and prevent strikes that disrupt the lives of Canadians and the economy. It also provides workers' compensation benefits to federal employees who suffer occupational injuries or illnesses.

The department plays a key role in the continued effort to advance reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, including work to implement Canada's Action Plan to achieve the objectives of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. This work will be undertaken in collaboration and co-development with Indigenous partners.

Delivering high-quality services is essential-our goal is to provide timely and efficient support. We are committed to continuously improving our service delivery to meet the evolving needs of the population, regardless of the changes in our environment. From a service perspective, Canadians rightly expect timely and efficient service delivery. Shifts in technology, such as the expanding use of artificial intelligence, have contributed to a rise in client expectations. Through Service Canada, our goal is to provide seamless, personalized, and easily accessible services that prioritize the client. We are focused on serving Canadians by ensuring that services are available regardless of location or life events.