About Social Development Canada

Social Development Canada and Human Resources and Skills Development Canada have been merged to form the Department of Human Resources and Social Development. Information about both departments will be updated shortly to reflect the creation of the new department.

The Department of Social Development (SD) is mandated with helping to secure and strengthen Canada’s social foundation. We do this by helping families with children, supporting people with disabilities and ensuring that seniors can fully participate in their communities. We provide the policies, services and programs for Canadians who need assistance in overcoming challenges they encounter in their lives and their communities. This includes income security programs, such as the Canada Pension Plan. We are a client-centred organization, committed to continually improving service delivery for Canadians.

Our Vision

A Canada for all, where everyone participates and plays an active role.

Our Mission

To strengthen Canada’s social foundations by supporting the well-being of individuals, families and communities and their participation through citizen-focused policies, programs and service.

We will achieve this by…

• Reducing barriers and facilitating access to opportunities;
• Investing in people and strengthening communities;
• Delivering seamless, innovative and responsive service, both internally and externally;
• Working with federal partners, other governments and communities;
• Supporting our employees;
• Serving Canadians with integrity and commitment.

Our departmental brochure

• PDF Version
• HTML Version

Meet our Ministers

Meet our Deputy Ministers

Meet our Officials

Program Responsibilities Include:

Income Security Programs

Children and Families

Persons With Disabilities

• Employability Assistance for People With Disabilities
• Canada Pension Plan Disability Program
• Opportunities Fund for Persons With Disabilities

New Horizons for Seniors Program

Social Development Partnership Program

Voluntary Sector Initiative

Partnership Information

• The Partnership Handbook
• Partnership and Funding for Business
• Partnership and Funding for Organizations
• Social Union Site
  The "social union" initiative is the umbrella under which governments will concentrate their efforts to renew and modernize Canadian social policy.
• Shape the Future of Regulation in Canada
  While the regulatory system we currently have in Canada has served us well, it was largely developed for an industrial economy. Canada now needs a 21st century regulatory approach that reflects Canadian values, the realities of the knowledge economy and changing market imperatives. The External Advisory Committee on Smart Regulation invites you to help Shape the Future of Regulation in Canada.

Additional Information

Requests for records under the control of the Department should be submitted under the Access to Information Act. and be directed to the Access to Information and Privacy Directorate at National Headquarters.

Requests to access your personal information under the control of the Department should be directed to the office where you believe your file is held or to the Access to Information and Privacy Directorate at National Headquarters at the following address:

Access to Information and Privacy Directorate
Phase IV, 1st Floor
140 Promenade du Portage
Gatineau, Quebec
K1A 0J9