Launching your mandate

[ * ] An asterisk appears where sensitive information has been removed in accordance with the Access to Information Act and Privacy Act.

Checklist of decisions

• Cabinet formation and swearing-in of the new Ministry
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• Calls with opposition leaders, premiers, leaders of National Indigenous Organizations, and international leaders
• Participation in domestic and international events
• Opening of Parliament
• Speech from the Throne
• Publication of mandate letters, Open and Accountable Government (online)
• Key appointments
• Tabling of Supplementary Estimates (B), 2021-22
• Fall Economic Statement

Overview

Your first and second mandates launched with an ambitious change agenda and high expectations to implement a wide-ranging set of transformational initiatives to help the middle class, advance reconciliation, strengthen diversity and inclusion, protect and conserve the environment, and show more open and transparent government. [ * ]

As you move to implement your new commitments – including on finishing the fight against COVID-19, affordable housing, better access to health care, fostering a more resilient economy, promoting a cleaner and greener future, and moving forward on reconciliation [ * ]

This document serves as a quick start guide to support you in launching your third mandate. It provides a high-level overview and considerations on the key decisions that will need to be made, pointing to other documents and proposed briefings for more in-depth information.

First weeks

Over the next few weeks, the Interim Clerk of the Privy Council (the Clerk), supported by senior officials within Privy Council Office (PCO) and deputy ministers of departments across the government, will support you in early actions, including advising on key decisions and actions required, such as:

• Cabinet formation, format and timing of the swearing-in of the new Ministry
• Timing of the opening of Parliament
• Delivering on platform commitments and responding to challenges over the course of the mandate
• Specific and urgent files facing the government, including COVID-19 pandemic management
• Upcoming international travel, including your participation at international summits
• Timing of the Fall Economic Statement

To support you in making these decisions, PCO can provide a number of key briefings through to the swearing-in ceremony on government formation, background, and agenda implementation, as well as on urgent issues.

At your earliest possible convenience, the Clerk is ready to meet with you to propose a forward plan for upcoming actions, decisions, and briefings.

Support is also available to your Transition Team as they prepare for the launch of a new mandate. Services available include processing security clearances and providing security briefings, providing office space and technical support as needed, conducting orientations, and assisting in the vetting of new ministers. Once the needs of the Transition Team are established, PCO support will be available immediately and thereafter for the first weeks on a 24/7 basis to offer concierge services in both official languages to ensure you and your office have everything needed for set up and decision-making.

• An overview has been prepared for your chief of staff that includes the role of the Clerk of the Privy Council and the Privy Council Office and considerations on security, human resource management, conflicts of interest, official residences, finances and operations of your office.
• We will also provide your Chief of Staff with an overview of your role as Prime Minister.

Timing of Swearing-In and opening of Parliament

While there is flexibility on dates for the swearing-in of the Ministry and opening of Parliament, your decision to participate in domestic and international events will have a bearing on these decisions. There are a number of upcoming events, at which your attendance would normally be expected, including:

• September 21-30, 2021, United Nations General Assembly High-Level Week in New York, United States (in-person or virtual)
  • The United Nations (UN) General Assembly High-Level Week (HLW) is considered the principal annual gathering of world leaders. The HLW features the General Debate, during which heads of state, heads of government and foreign ministers deliver their national statements. Other thematic high level meetings or leader-level meetings are typically convened by the UN Secretary-General during HLW. In-person participation (with small delegations) will be possible for the General Debate; a provisional speaking list has Canada’s Head of Government scheduled to deliver Canada’s national statement on September 25 (subject to change/confirmation). Pre-recorded statements will also be accepted and encouraged due to COVID-19, and all other meetings will be virtual.
• September 22, 2021, Global COVID-19 Summit (virtual)
  • Canada has been invited to speak at this event convened by U.S. President Biden. This is a signature initiative of President Biden to mobilize support for an ambitious set of policy and financial commitments to respond internationally to the COVID-19 pandemic. [ * ]
• September 28, 2021, G20 Extraordinary Leaders’ Meeting on Afghanistan (virtual)
  • In light of the serious humanitarian concerns and the enduring crisis in Afghanistan, the Italian G20 Presidency has convened a meeting to discuss international coordination to address the humanitarian, economic, and security aspects of the Afghan crisis. [ * ]
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• October 26-28, 2021, Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Brunei (virtual)
  • Though Canada is not a member of ASEAN, Canada has participated as a Guest of the Chair at previous ASEAN Leaders’ Summits. This year's Summit will be held virtually. [ * ]
• October 30-31, 2021, G20 Leaders’ Summit in Rome, Italy (in-person)
  • The G20 is the international forum that brings together the world's major economies. Its members account for more than 80 per cent of world gross domestic product (GDP), 75 per cent of global trade, and 60 per cent of the world's population. The forum has met every year since 1999 and includes, since 2008, an annual summit with participation from heads of state and government. As a member of the G20, Canada normally participates at the leader level to help demonstrate Canada's commitment to working with G20 partners to promote sustainable economic growth, international trade, and regulation of financial markets.
• November 1-2, 2021, United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, United Kingdom (in-person)
  • This year's COP26 will mark the first time since the signing of the Paris Agreement in 2015 that countries are expected to commit to enhanced ambition on climate action, with a call to revise state parties’ nationally determined contributions and net-zero commitments. Participation in COP26 events would help demonstrate Canada's ongoing commitment to the Paris Agreement and engagement on climate action.

Confirmation of your participation in these events and decisions about other related program elements, such as bilateral meetings, will be required as soon as possible to allow for the development of programs, liaisons with hosts and security as appropriate, and logistics and planning. In subsequent briefings, advice on your participation in these events will be provided, considering factors such as attendance by other leaders.

• The urgent issues book includes additional considerations around key international travel in the coming weeks.

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• The preparing for a new Parliament book outlines additional considerations surrounding opening of Parliament, timing for election of the Speaker of the House of Commons and the Speech from the Throne, other decisions required before opening Parliament, and strategies for managing the Government’s agenda in Parliament.

[ * ] below is a planning calendar highlighting key events from now until March 22.

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Assembling a Cabinet and renewing your Ministry

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Mandate letters can be a useful tool in mobilizing and guiding your expectations for how ministers will prioritize key files to focus efforts to achieve outcomes, discharge their individual and collective responsibilities, approach their parliamentary and Cabinet duties, work with colleagues and the public service, and operate with a high and rigorous standard of conduct. Consistent with the legislative requirements set out in the Access to Information Act, your individual mandate letters to ministers must continue to be published online, as would the revised version of Open and Accountable Government. This supports openness and transparency.

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Implementing and managing your agenda

One of the most important roles of the public service is to support the Government in advancing its commitments through the effective implementation of the Government’s agenda. PCO, with input from other federal organizations, has prepared considerations and advice on advancing the Government’s mandate.

These considerations will help form the foundation for discussions and decisions on early actions. They will also help inform the development of ministerial mandate letters, as well as the Cabinet and legislative program forward agendas.

• The implementing your agenda presentation deck provides an overview of your key priorities, as well as early actions and decisions required as you launch your third mandate.
• The urgent issues book includes briefings on the issues that will require an early decision.

Appointments to make

A number of key appointments that fall within your prerogative as Prime Minister require decisions in the coming months.

Governor in Council appointments

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Senators and Lieutenant Governors

Senators and Lieutenant Governors are appointed through an Instrument of Advice from the Prime Minister to the Governor General rather than through appointment by a Cabinet process. Various Senate and Lieutenant Governor positions will require attention early in your mandate.

• The appointments overview book provides a complete list of key appointments requiring early decisions or actions.

Communicating your agenda

Speech from the Throne

Beyond laying out the priorities of the Government, the Speech from the Throne provides an opportunity to set the tone and style of your Government’s approach to its third mandate.

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[ * ] You could also meet with the Governor of the Bank of Canada. [ * ]

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Managing your agenda

• The preparing for a new Parliament book includes additional considerations on preparing and managing the legislative program.

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Minority government considerations

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• The preparing for a new Parliament book outlines additional considerations on governing in a minority context.

The Senate

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• The preparing for a new Parliament book provides additional considerations on the Senate.

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Managing your domestic and international relationships

Relations with Premiers

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You may wish to consider how best to utilize a full range of potential FPT engagements (e.g., First Ministers’ Meetings, ministerial tables, bilateral or regional discussions) to advance your policy priorities.

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• The calls with Premiers book includes suggested key messages, as well as profiles of each province and territory.
• The intergovernmental relations book outlines additional context on provinces and territories, as well as challenges and opportunities for managing the federation.

Relations with leaders of national indigenous organizations

There is a high expectation from Indigenous leaders to participate directly with the federal government in a nation-to-nation relationship, Inuit-Crown and government-to-government relationships, and significant direct engagement has taken place in recent years.

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• The calls with national indigenous organizations book includes key considerations and suggested messages.

Relations with international leaders

World dynamics are evolving rapidly, where international relations are increasingly unstable, with established institutions, alliances, and practices being challenged by a shifting balance of power, new technological, economic, and social forces, and ideological competition. In this context, it will be important to position Canada for prosperity and security by forging new partnerships and strengthening existing alliances with diverse international stakeholders.

Following your election, it is expected that some international leaders will write letters of congratulations, while others will call to congratulate you. [ * ] These calls provide an opportunity to renew relationships and express areas for collaboration.

• The calls with international leaders book presents background material on high-priority international calls and meetings, high-priority international summits and events in 2021, and possible early interactions with other leaders.
• The state of the world book includes additional context and background material on key international issues that Canada faces.

Relations with stakeholders

Engagement with key business and industry leaders in Canada, as well as leaders in social, Indigenous, and academic organizations or institutions, is important to advancing your Government’s priorities. You may wish to call or engage with leaders of organizations in the coming weeks and months.