Public Services and Procurement Canada
Raison d’être, mandate and role: Who we are and what we do

Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) plays an important role in the daily operations of the Government of Canada. It supports federal departments and agencies in the achievement of their mandated objectives as their central purchasing agent, real property manager, linguistic authority, treasurer, accountant, pay and pension administrator, and common service provider. The department’s vision is to excel in government operations. Our mission is to deliver high-quality, central programs and services that ensure sound stewardship on behalf of Canadians and meet the program needs of federal institutions.

The department, founded in 1841, was instrumental in the building of our nation’s canals, roads and bridges, the Houses of Parliament, post offices and federal buildings across the country.

The Department of Public Works and Government Services Act (the act), passed in 1996, established the current department and set out the legal authorities for PSPC’s services. As a common service organization providing government departments, boards and agencies with support services, PSPC delivers on its mandate through 5 core responsibilities:

• purchase of goods and services
• payments and accounting
• property and infrastructure
• government-wide support
• procurement ombudsman

PSPC’s goal is to manage its business in a way that demonstrates integrity, accountability, efficiency, transparency, and adds value for its client departments and agencies, and Canadians.

The portfolio of the Minister of Public Services and Procurement includes Shared Services Canada, the National Capital Commission and 3 Crown corporations (Canada Lands Company Limited, Defence Construction Canada and Canada Post Corporation). The minister is also responsible for the Federal Public Sector Labour Relations and Employment Board. The Office of the Procurement Ombudsman (OPO) also reports to the minister but operates at arm’s length from the department. Details of the operations of the Crown corporations and OPO are provided in separate annual reports that are tabled in parliament by the minister.