As Canada's lead department for public safety, Public Safety Canada works with agencies and review bodies. They are united in a single portfolio and report to the same minister.

The five agencies are: the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC), the National Parole Board (NPB), and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). The three review bodies are: the RCMP External Review Committee (ERC), the Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP (CPC) and the Office of the Correctional Investigator (OCI).

The mandate of Public Safety Canada is to keep Canadians safe from a range of risks, including natural disasters, crime and terrorism. To do this, Public Safety Canada coordinates and supports the efforts of federal organizations helping to ensure national security and the safety of Canadians, and works with other levels of government, the police, first responders, community groups, the private sector and foreign governments.