Employment and Social Development Canada

Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) is the federal department responsible for social programs, labour policy, income supports, skills and employment, and front-line service delivery through Service Canada. ESDC administers the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Old Age Security (OAS/GIS), supports workers through Employment Insurance (EI), oversees the federal Labour Program, and funds skills, training, and inclusion initiatives in partnership with provinces/territories and community organizations.

At a glance — Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)

Type	Federal department (social programs, labour, skills)
Core programs (examples)	CPP & OAS/GIS • Employment Insurance (EI) • Student grants/loans (with partners) • Labour standards & OHS (federally regulated) • Skills & training funding • Disability & inclusion programs • Early learning & child care (intergovernmental)
Service delivery	Service Canada (in-person, online portals, call centres)
Labour Program	Federal labour standards & occupational health and safety for federally regulated sectors; mediation and dispute resolution
Official site	canada.ca/esdc

Mandate and responsibilities

ESDC’s mandate is to improve the standard of living and quality of life for all Canadians by promoting a highly skilled labour force, efficient labour markets, and inclusive social programs. The department:

• Administers income-support programs (CPP, OAS/GIS, EI) and delivers benefits through Service Canada.
• Oversees the federal Labour Program (labour standards, OHS, pay equity, harassment/violence prevention) for federally regulated employers (e.g., banking, telecommunications, interprovincial transportation).
• Funds skills, training, and employment services through labour market transfer agreements with provinces/territories and targeted programs for youth, newcomers, persons with disabilities, and under-represented groups.
• Supports student financial assistance (grants/loans) and apprenticeship incentives (delivered with partners).
• Leads social policy and inclusion initiatives with other departments and jurisdictions, including early learning and child care frameworks.

Benefits and programs (overview)

Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Old Age Security (OAS/GIS)

CPP provides retirement, disability, survivor, and children’s benefits funded by contributions from workers and employers (QPP in Québec). OAS (non-contributory) and GIS/allowances support seniors based on residence and income.

Employment Insurance (EI)

Provides temporary income support to eligible workers who lose employment through no fault, are on parental/sickness/compassionate/other leaves (as legislated), or in approved training. Delivered by Service Canada with policy and program stewardship by ESDC.

Student aid and skills

Canada Student Grants and Loans (with provincial/territorial partners); apprenticeship grants and incentives; workforce development agreements; sectoral and community-based training projects.

Inclusion and accessibility

Programs and strategies that support persons with disabilities, seniors, caregivers, and equity-seeking communities; accessibility standards and employment initiatives.

Labour Program (federal jurisdiction)

The Labour Program administers and enforces the Canada Labour Code parts on labour standards, occupational health and safety, and labour relations in federally regulated sectors, provides mediation/conciliation in disputes, and promotes compliance through education and inspections. Pay equity and harassment/violence prevention frameworks apply to covered workplaces.

Temporary Foreign Worker Program (with partners)

ESDC/Service Canada assess employer applications for Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). IRCC issues work permits once conditions are met. Compliance, employer inspections, and worker-protection measures are part of the framework.

Service delivery and digital

People access benefits via Service Canada centres, call centres, and online portals, including My Service Canada Account. Identity verification, direct deposit, and secure messaging are standard. Outreach teams support rural and remote communities.

Data, evaluation, and transparency

ESDC publishes Departmental Plans/Results Reports, program statistics, evaluation findings, and research on labour markets, skills, and social policy. Open data and proactive disclosures support accountability.

See also

• Service Canada • Canada Revenue Agency • Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
• Economy of Canada • Statistics Canada • Public safety in Canada
• Employment Insurance • Old Age Security • Canada Pension Plan

External links (official)

• Employment and Social Development Canada — Home: https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development.html
• Service Canada — Access benefits & locations: https://www.canada.ca/service-canada