The current governance structure at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) comprises a matrix model of management, Boards of Directors (Boards), which are sub-committees of the Executive Council, co-exist with the traditional branch structure. The Boards are aligned with departmental priorities, which are reflected in the program activities of the Program Activities Architecture.

Operating in this matrix environment incorporates both individual and collective accountabilities. Assistant Deputy Ministers (ADMs) and other senior executives share collective responsibility through the Boards for horizontal management and the achievement of results, while being individually responsible for the management of their respective branches and being accountable to the Deputy Minister through the branch structure.

The responsibilities of the Boards include: strategic direction regarding policy and program proposals; horizontal management across branches; resource allocation and oversight; and performance management of Departmental outcomes.

The responsibilities of branches include: providing the enabling capacity to develop, implement and deliver the policy, programs and services of the Department; exercising delegated authorities and managing the financial, human and other resources of the Department; performing business planning, budgeting and operational management; and delivering outputs and reporting on financial and non-financial performance. Branches provide teams to develop, implement and deliver the policy, programs and services of the Department and support Boards in executing their responsibilities.

Horizontal Teams

Business Risk Management Team
The Business Risk Management Team is committed to improving the producer's capacity to manage risk, and increasing the sector's viability and profitability through the development of an integrated business risk management framework.

Environment Team
The Environment Team conducts applied and basic research and develops programs and policies that help minimize the adverse impacts, as well as enhance the benefits that agriculture can have on the environment (i.e. soil, water, air, biodiversity), and establishes procedures with which to monitor improvements in the sector's agri-environmental performance.

Food Safety and Quality Team
The Food Safety and Quality Team is responsible for minimizing the risk and impact of food-borne hazards on human health, increasing consumer confidence and improving the sector's ability to meet or exceed market requirements for food products.

Innovation/Science Team
The Innovation/Science Team's mission is to improve the on-going competitiveness of the Canadian food and agriculture sector through the development and transfer of innovative technologies. The team provides the agri-food sector with access to new production systems, bio-products and strategies to seize opportunities and manage change.

Renewal Team
Renewal Team is committed to assisting producers engage in continuous learning and best management practices to keep pace with the knowledge intensive industry that is Agriculture. The team enhances public and private business management and consulting services, management and marketing information, and provides tools and services, to assist farmers to improve their profitability and networks to better link scientific advances to the creation of new economic opportunities.

Markets and Trade Team
The Markets and Trade Team's mission is to achieve increased recognition, at home and abroad, of the Canadian industry's world-leading capacity in meeting the demands of a rapidly changing and highly segmented global market, to promote Canada's advantages as an investment location and to expand Canada's industry's access to foreign markets in order to maximize the benefits realized from Canada's reputation and to enhance science cooperation in support of a new and expanded markets.

Enabling Teams

Asset Management Team
The Asset Management Team is responsible for the planning, acquisition, maintenance and disposal of the Department's fixed and moveable assets; this includes policy development, contracting for goods and services, major capital planning and construction, fleet management, accommodations, real property, security and emergency management, environmental services and greening internal operations. This team also delivers financial and human resources services in research centres in conjunction with Human Resources and Finance teams.

Communications and Consultations Team
The Communications and Consultations Team (CCT), in accordance with the Communications Policy of the Government of Canada, manages Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's advertising, publishing, consultations and public opinion research, internal communications, media relations activities, and corporate and rural exhibit programs. The team is also responsible for managing and developing the Department's corporate and internal Web sites.

CCT provides planning and strategic advice on communicating departmental priorities, policy development and program planning and implementation, as well as the coordination, production and distribution of speeches, news releases, publications and multimedia materials.

To that end, the Team develops awareness initiatives that aim to promote a better public understanding of the Agricultural Policy Framework and the Agriculture and agri-food sector.

Finance Team
The Finance Team supports the sound stewardship of departmental resources and informed decision-making by management through the provision of timely, robust and relevant financial information, advice, services and policies. The team is responsible for overseeing the departmental resource management process including establishing budgets, conducting variance analysis and forecasts and recommending corrective action, as required. The Finance Team is the primary point of contact with the Treasury Board and the Department of Finance on all Treasury Board submissions and requests for Orders in Council. The Finance Team also offers a wide array of financial services principally in the domain of accounts payable/receivable transaction processing. Accountable for the integrity of the department's financial controls, the Finance Team continuously monitors financial expenditures to ensure compliance with all applicable central agency policies and directives.

Human Resources Team
The Human Resources Team is responsible for the planning, management and development of Agriculture and Agri-food Canada's human resources. They provide Human Resources management policies, programs and services that support working horizontally and achieve the objectives of the Agricultural Policy Framework and departmental business results.

Information Systems Team
The Information Systems Team assists the Department in achieving its objectives by providing expertise and support on technological tools, electronic document management systems, portal technology, knowledge management strategies, information technology strategies, web content management and business intelligence tools.

Strategic Management Team
The Strategic Management Team provides Department-wide advice, coordination and input in support of Departmental planning, management and reporting, on the basis of: based on an integrated management and accountability framework, which comprises two key elements: the Management Accountability Framework (MAF) for sound management of Departmental activities and resources; and the Management, Resources and Results Structure (MRRS)/Program Activity Architecture (PAA) for sound delivery of agricultural policy, programs, research and services. Responsibilities of the Strategic Management Team include the production of the Report on Plans and Priorities (RPP) and Departmental Performance Report (DPR) for reporting to Parliament, and coordination of the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of policy and program proposals in Memorandum to Cabinet and Treasury Board Submissions. The Strategic Management Team also develops tools and techniques to help ensure the Department practices sound management to deliver on i

Policy and Planning Team
The Policy and Planning Team supports integrated policy development through strategic planning, policy development on cross-cutting issues, liaison, and research.

Program Delivery Team
The Program Delivery Team ensures efficient and effective client-focussed program delivery through the design and implementation of a full range of national programs and services in support of the agriculture and agri-food sector and rural communities.

Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency
Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency (CPMA) has a responsibility, on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada to administer and enforce the rules related to pari-mutuel wagering of horse racing in Canada. The objective of these rules is to ensure that this activity is conducted in a manner that is fair and reasonable for the wagering public. The CPMA provides daily auditing of all betting activities; provides expertise, and conducts research in the areas of totalizer systems and equine drug control. The agency also provides efficient and effective para-mutuel supervision within the resource level of the federal levy and provides and promotes services that contribute to the positive image of racing.

Corporate Offices

Audit and Evaluation Team
The Audit and Evaluation Team provides the Departmental Audit and Evaluation Team (DAET) with independent assurance information and advice on the effectiveness, efficiency and economy of programs, policies and operations.

Executive Offices
The Executive Offices are responsible for the correspondence, briefing and activity scheduling systems for the Minister, the Secretary of State, the Deputy Minister and the Associate Deputy Minister; for tracking and reporting on major current issues of concern to the Department, for Parliamentary Relations, and for providing secretariat services to the Executive Council, and the Operations Committee of the Department and the Departmental Audit and Evaluation Team.

Legal Services Team
The Legal Services Team provides legal information and advice on the development and implementation of Departmental programs, policies and operations. The Legal Services team is made up of lawyers employed by the Department of Justice and support staff employed by AAFC.

Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration (PFRA)
The Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration (PFRA) works with people on the prairies to develop a viable agricultural industry and sustainable rural economy. In partnership with other levels of government, farm groups, producers and industry, PFRA protect Prairie soils, develop and conserves the area's water resources, and encourage diversification into new crops, value-added processing and other wealth-creating activities.

Rural and Co-operatives Secretariats
The Rural Secretariat, located in Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, is the central point for rural policy issues within the Government of Canada. The Rural Secretariat's mandate is to provide analysis and advice on issues affecting rural and remote regions; facilitate the creation of partnerships around rural issues and priorities; promote dialogue between rural stakeholders and the federal government, and between the federal, provincial and territorial governments. The Co-operatives Secretariat is dedicated to the economic growth and social development of Canada by encouraging the establishment of partnerships between the co-operative sector and the federal government that support the development of co-operatives in areas of federal priority including rural and aboriginal economic development, health care service delivery and agriculture value added.