HRSDC Branches

Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC) is divided into 11 major branches:

Comptroller’s Office

The Comptroller’s Office is responsible for strengthening accountability and financial systems within HRSDC through sound financial management, a robust financial control framework, and timely and practical strategic financial advice.

Employment Programs Policy and Design Branch

The Employment Programs Policy and Design Branch (EPPD) is responsible for analyzing developing and improving employment programming to ensure that it remains well suited to the needs of the Canadian workforce and labour market.

EPPD Branch’s areas of responsibility include the following programs: Employment Insurance Program Parts I and II, Pan-Canadian Innovations Initiatives, Youth Employment Strategy, Older Workers Pilot Project Initiative, Partnership Initiative for Community Economic Development in Official Language Minority Communities, Aboriginal Human Resources Development Strategy, and Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership Projects.

Housing and Homelessness Branch

The Housing and Homelessness Branch (HHB) is responsible for the National Homelessness Initiative (NHI) and promotes an integrated approach to homelessness and housing policy and programs, as well as the development of horizontal linkages to other policy areas such as health, justice and immigration. The NHI’s mandate is to work with Canadian communities to overcome homelessness.

The HHB’s areas of responsibility include the following programs/initiatives: the Supporting Communities Partnership Initiative (SCPI), the Regional Homelessness Fund (RHF), Urban Aboriginal Homelessness (UAH), the Surplus Federal Real Property for Homelessness Initiative (SFRPHI), the Homeless Individuals and Families Information System (HIFIS) and the National Research Program (NRP).

Human Resources and Corporate Management Branch

The Human Resources and Corporate Management Branch is responsible for the delivery and provision of a wide variety of essential human resources and corporate management services, and technical expertise, to departmental clients.

Learning Branch

The Learning Branch is responsible for increasing participation of Canadians in post-secondary education, literacy and adult and lifelong learning opportunities, especially in low- to middle- income families.

The major programs under the Learning Branch include the Canada Student Loans Program, the Canada Education Savings Program, Adult Learning and Literacy (including the National Literacy Secretariat and the Office of Learning Technologies).

Legal Services

Legal Services provide general legal services to support HRSDC’s core operations and key initiatives. Such services include: legal advice about program statutes and policies administered by the department, policy advice for developing policy and legislative or regulatory proposals, and representing HRSDC before boards, tribunals and courts.

Public Affairs and Ministerial Services Branch

The Public Affairs and Ministerial Services Branch is responsible for supporting the achievement of the department’s strategic and operational goals and priorities by communicating effectively with primary audience. It is responsible for providing information to the millions of Canadians the department serves through its programs, and to Canadians in general to ensure that they are aware of HRSDC’s mandate, policies, and programs. It also actively works to engage Canadians in a dialogue on social economic policy issues.

Strategic Policy Branch

The Strategic Policy Branch leads the work on broad, forward-looking policy development. It plays a key role in integrating work across the Department and meeting policy challenges. The Branch has special responsibilities for children and families. It provides leadership and a focal point within the Department for human capital and social policy development and analysis.

Strategic Analysis, Audit & Evaluation Branch

The Strategic Analysis, Audit & Evaluation Branch is responsible for supporting department-wide leadership on the creation and sharing of knowledge by providing a focal point for knowledge management, policy research, evaluation, and data development activities.

Social Development Sectors Branch

The Social Development Sectors Branch is responsible for policy development research and engagement of key HRSDC client sectors: children, seniors, person with disabilities, families and communities.

The major programs under the Social Development Sectors Branch include the Universal Child Care Benefit, Child Care Spaces Initiative, National Child Benefit, Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security, New Horizons Program, Office for Disability Issues, Opportunities Fund for Person with Disabilities, Social Development Partnerships Program, Voluntary Sector Initiative and Caregivers Initiative.

Workplace Skills Branch

The Workplace Skills Branch is responsible for improving labour market productivity and the quality of Canadian workforce in order to sustain economic growth and competitiveness in the 21st century.

The Workplace Skills Branch’s areas of responsibility include the Workplace Skills Strategy and the following programs: Trades and Apprenticeship, the Sector Council Program, Essential Skills, Labour Mobility, Foreign Credential Recognition and the Foreign Worker Program.