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.
Special operating agencies also exist among some provincial governments in Canada."Manitoba Securities Commission." Manitoba Finance. 2022. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
Federal special operating agencies +CurrentAgencyEstablished as SOAParent departmentBuild Canada Homes2025Housing, Infrastructure and Communities CanadaCanadian Coast Guard2005National DefenceCanadian Conservation Institute1992Canadian HeritageCanadian Forces Housing Agency1995National DefenceCanadian Heritage Information Network1992Canadian HeritageCanadian Intellectual Property Office1992Innovation, Science and Economic DevelopmentCanadian Pari-Mutuel Agency1993Agriculture and Agri-FoodCORCAN1992Public Safety (Correctional Service of Canada)Defence Investment Agency2025Public Services and ProcurementDefence Research and Development Canada2000National DefenceHealth Emergency Readiness Canada2024Innovation, Science and Economic DevelopmentIndian Oil and Gas Canada (IOGC)1993Indigenous Services CanadaMajor Projects Office2025Privy Council OfficeMeasurement Canada1996Innovation, Science and Economic DevelopmentOffice of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy 1997Innovation, Science and Economic DevelopmentPhysical Resources Bureau 1993Global AffairsTranslation Bureau1995Public Services and Procurement
Former The first 5 SOAs were created in December 1989 on a pilot basis: Canada Communication Group (Public Works and Government Services) (1989–1997) Consulting and Audit Canada (Public Works and Government Services) (1989–2013) Government Telecommunications Agency (GTA) (Communications) (1989–1994) Passport Canada (Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development) (1989–2013) Training and Development Canada (named Public Service Staff Training Program upon its inception) (Public Service Commission of Canada) (1989–2004)
Other were created later on and have since been dissolved: 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) Industrial Technologies Office (named Technology Partnerships Canada from 1996 to 2006) (Innovation, Science and Economic Development) (1996–2017)
Provincial special operating agencies Special operating agencies also exist among some provincial governments in Canada.
Manitoba AgencyParent departmentNotesEntrepreneurship ManitobaPublic Service DeliveryMaterials Distribution AgencyPublic Service DeliveryThe mail and materials management services agency for the provincial government and government-funded organizationsManitoba Education, Research and Learning Information Networks (MERLIN)Public Service DeliveryCoordinates the delivery of technology services to the education community in ManitobaPublic Guardian and TrusteePublic Service DeliveryManages 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 childrenVehicle and Equipment Management AgencyPublic Service DeliveryFleet management organizations for public-sector organizations operating in ManitobaIndustrial Technology Centre (former)Manitoba Business, Mining, Trade and Job CreationOffice of the Fire CommissionerManitoba Financial Services AgencyManitoba FinanceFood Development CentreManitoba AgricultureFee-for-service agency created to "assist Manitoba's agrifood industry in the development and commercialization of food products."Green ManitobaManitoba Environment and Climate Change
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