Special operating agency

A special operating agency (SOA) is a designation given to a government organization within a department or agency of the Government of Canada, or a provincial government, that has some management flexibility, independence, and separate accountability. Federal SOAs function, without legislation, within a framework agreement approved by their given department's deputy minister, the minister responsible for the agency, and the Treasury Board. They are considered part of the host department and not separate legal entities.[1][2]

Special operating agencies also exist among some provincial governments in Canada.[3]

Federal special operating agencies

Current
Agency[4] Established as SOA Parent department
Build Canada Homes 2025 Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada
Canadian Coast Guard 2005 National Defence
Canadian Conservation Institute 1992 Canadian Heritage
Canadian Forces Housing Agency 1995 National Defence
Canadian Heritage Information Network 1992 Canadian Heritage
Canadian Intellectual Property Office 1992 Innovation, Science and Economic Development
Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency 1993 Agriculture and Agri-Food
CORCAN[5] 1992 Public Safety (Correctional Service of Canada)
Defence Investment Agency[6] 2025 Public Services and Procurement
Defence Research and Development Canada[7] 2000 National Defence
Health Emergency Readiness Canada[8] 2024 Innovation, Science and Economic Development
Indian Oil and Gas Canada (IOGC)[9] 1993 Indigenous Services Canada
Major Projects Office 2025 Privy Council Office
Measurement Canada 1996 Innovation, Science and Economic Development
Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy 1997 Innovation, Science and Economic Development
Physical Resources Bureau[10] 1993 Global Affairs
Translation Bureau 1995 Public Services and Procurement

Former

The first 5 SOAs were created in December 1989 on a pilot basis:[11]

Other were created later on and have since been dissolved:

Provincial special operating agencies

Special operating agencies also exist among some provincial governments in Canada.

Manitoba

Agency Parent department Notes
Entrepreneurship Manitoba Public Service Delivery[13]
Materials Distribution Agency Public Service Delivery[13] The mail and materials management services agency for the provincial government and government-funded organizations[14]
Manitoba Education, Research and Learning Information Networks (MERLIN) Public Service Delivery[13] Coordinates the delivery of technology services to the education community in Manitoba
Public Guardian and Trustee Public Service Delivery[13] Manages and protects the affairs of those who are "unable to do so themselves and have no one else willing or able to act," including mentally incompetent and vulnerable adults, deceased estates, and children
Vehicle and Equipment Management Agency Public Service Delivery[13] Fleet management organizations for public-sector organizations operating in Manitoba
Industrial Technology Centre (former)[15] Manitoba Business, Mining, Trade and Job Creation
Office of the Fire Commissioner[16]
Manitoba Financial Services Agency[17] Manitoba Finance
Food Development Centre Manitoba Agriculture Fee-for-service agency created to "assist Manitoba's agrifood industry in the development and commercialization of food products."[18]
Green Manitoba[19] Manitoba Environment and Climate Change

References

  1. ^ Secretariat, Treasury Board of Canada (2012-09-28). "Overview of federal organizations and interests". aem. Retrieved 2021-05-19.
  2. ^ Elizabeth Thompson (2025-10-29). "How do Carney's special agencies work? Governing documents are being kept secret". CBC News.
  3. ^ "Manitoba Securities Commission." Manitoba Finance. 2022. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
  4. ^ "Inventory of Federal Organizations and Interests". GC InfoBase. Retrieved 2021-05-19.
  5. ^ "Overview CORCAN". Correctional Service of Canada. 2013-01-15. Retrieved 2021-05-19.
  6. ^ "Backgrounder: Defence Investment Agency". www.canada.ca. 2025-10-02. Retrieved 2025-10-15.
  7. ^ "Defence Research and Development Canada". www.canada.ca. 2020-11-05. Retrieved 2023-08-25.
  8. ^ "Federal government launches Health Emergency Readiness Canada to strengthen preparedness for future health emergencies". www.canada.ca. 2024-09-24. Retrieved 2025-10-15.
  9. ^ "Indian Oil and Gas Canada". Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada. 2008-11-03. Retrieved 2021-05-19.
  10. ^ "Physical Resources Bureau". GC InfoBase. Retrieved 2021-05-19.
  11. ^ 1990-91 Estimates. Vol. Part I — The Government Expenditure Plan. Ottawa: Supply and Services Canada. 1990. p. 30. ISBN 0-660-55675-8. Retrieved 6 February 2026.
  12. ^ "About Industrial Technologies Office (ITO)". Innovation Canada. 11 May 2016. Retrieved 2021-05-19.
  13. ^ a b c d e "Consumer Protection and Government Services". Province of Manitoba - Consumer Protection and Government Services. Retrieved 2023-04-13.
  14. ^ "MDA | Home". mda.gov.mb.ca. Retrieved 2023-04-13.
  15. ^ "Winnipeg business takes over provincial agency as province privatizes Industrial Technology Centre". CBC News. 2021-12-02. Archived from the original on 2023-04-17.
  16. ^ "Archives of Manitoba | Keystone Archives Descriptive Database". pam.minisisinc.com. Retrieved 2023-04-13.
  17. ^ "Finance | Province of Manitoba". Province of Manitoba - Finance. Retrieved 2023-04-13.
  18. ^ "Agriculture". Province of Manitoba. Retrieved 2023-04-13.
  19. ^ "Manitoba". Canada Conserves. 2012-09-11. Retrieved 2023-04-13.
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