The Department of Public Works and Government Services is the major provider of central and common services to the Government of Canada. Its services and programs are delivered through offices across Canada, and in the United States and Europe.

Common services include the administration and management of payments in lieu of taxes, acquisition, management, operation, maintenance, design, construction, repair and disposal of federal real property, on a fee-for-service basis; the acquisition of goods and services for federal departments and agencies; disposal of surplus moveable Crown assets on behalf of departments and agencies; seized property management; marine inspection and technical services; advertising coordination; public opinion research coordination; information management / information technology infrastructure and common services; and the development and application of standards for federal government procurement. Special Operating Agencies within PWGSC also offer common services such as translation, interpretation, on an optional, fee-for-service basis.

The Department also carries out certain administrative and management functions on behalf of the federal government. These include the Receiver General for Canada function; the Queen's Printer function, government wide-central accounting and reporting; administration of the public service payroll and overall administration of the pension plan for federal public service employees; and the provision of productive working environments for 187,000 federal employees in 2,500 locations across Canada. The Department manages a diverse portfolio of office space and other general purpose property, as well as certain bridges, highways, locks, dams, and the Parliamentary Precinct. Use of these functions is normally mandatory for federal departments and agencies.

The Office of the Procurement Ombudsman reviews complaints from suppliers, procurement practices in departments and agencies, and makes recommendations for the improvement of those practices to ensure improved fairness, openness and transparency in the procurement process.