Special operating agency
(Redirected from 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]
Special operating agencies also exist among some provincial governments in Canada.[2]
Federal special operating agencies
[edit]| Agency[3] | 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[4] | 1992 | Public Safety (Correctional Service of Canada) |
| Defence Investment Agency[5] | 2025 | Public Services and Procurement |
| Defence Research and Development Canada[6] | 2000 | National Defence |
| Health Emergency Readiness Canada[7] | 2024 | Innovation, Science and Economic Development |
| Indian Oil and Gas Canada (IOGC)[8] | 1993 | Indigenous Services Canada |
| Measurement Canada | 1996 | Innovation, Science and Economic Development |
| Translation Bureau | 1995 | Public Services and Procurement |
Former
[edit]- Canada Communication Group (Public Works and Government Services) (1989-1997)
- Canada Investment and Savings (named Canada Retail Debt Agency from 1995 to 1996) (Finance) (1995-2007)
- Canadian Grain Commission (Agriculture and Agri-Food) (1992-1999)
- Consulting and Audit Canada (Public Works and Government Services) (1989-2013)
- Government Telecommunications Agency (GTA) (Communications) (1989-1994)
- Industrial Technologies Office (named Technology Partnerships Canada from 1996 to 2006) (Innovation, Science and Economic Development) (1996-2017)[9]
- Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy (Industry) (1997-2009)
- Passport Canada (Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development) (1989-2013)
- Physical Resources Bureau (Global Affairs) (1993-2017)[10]
- Training and Development Canada (Public Service Commission of Canada) (1989-2004)
Provincial special operating agencies
[edit]Special operating agencies also exist among some provincial governments in Canada.
Manitoba
[edit]| Agency | Parent department | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Entrepreneurship Manitoba | Consumer Protection and Government Services[11] | |
| Materials Distribution Agency | Consumer Protection and Government Services[11] | The mail and materials management services agency for the provincial government and government-funded organizations[12] |
| Manitoba Education, Research and Learning Information Networks (MERLIN) | Consumer Protection and Government Services[11] | Coordinates the delivery of technology services to the education community in Manitoba |
| Public Guardian and Trustee | Consumer Protection and Government Services[11] | 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 | Consumer Protection and Government Services[11] | Fleet management organizations for public-sector organizations operating in Manitoba |
| Industrial Technology Centre (former)[13] | Manitoba Economic Development and Jobs | |
| Office of the Fire Commissioner[14] | ||
| Manitoba Financial Services Agency[15] | 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."[16] |
| Green Manitoba[17] | Manitoba Conservation and Climate |
References
[edit]- ^ Secretariat, Treasury Board of Canada (2012-09-28). "Overview of federal organizations and interests". aem. Retrieved 2021-05-19.
- ^ "Manitoba Securities Commission." Manitoba Finance. 2022. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
- ^ "Inventory of Federal Organizations and Interests". GC InfoBase. Retrieved 2021-05-19.
- ^ "Overview CORCAN". Correctional Service of Canada. 2013-01-15. Retrieved 2021-05-19.
- ^ "Backgrounder: Defence Investment Agency". www.canada.ca. 2025-10-02. Retrieved 2025-10-15.
- ^ "Defence Research and Development Canada". www.canada.ca. 2020-11-05. Retrieved 2023-08-25.
- ^ "Federal government launches Health Emergency Readiness Canada to strengthen preparedness for future health emergencies". www.canada.ca. 2024-09-24. Retrieved 2025-10-15.
- ^ "Indian Oil and Gas Canada". Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada. 2008-11-03. Retrieved 2021-05-19.
- ^ "About Industrial Technologies Office (ITO)". Innovation Canada. 11 May 2016. Retrieved 2021-05-19.
- ^ "Physical Resources Bureau". GC InfoBase. Retrieved 2021-05-19.
- ^ a b c d e "Consumer Protection and Government Services". Province of Manitoba - Consumer Protection and Government Services. Retrieved 2023-04-13.
- ^ "MDA | Home". mda.gov.mb.ca. Retrieved 2023-04-13.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Archives of Manitoba | Keystone Archives Descriptive Database". pam.minisisinc.com. Retrieved 2023-04-13.
- ^ "Finance | Province of Manitoba". Province of Manitoba - Finance. Retrieved 2023-04-13.
- ^ "Agriculture". Province of Manitoba. Retrieved 2023-04-13.
- ^ "Manitoba". Canada Conserves. 2012-09-11. Retrieved 2023-04-13.
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