Canada. Human Resources Development Canada : The Department of Human Resources Canada (HRDC) was created in 1993 as a result of the Government's restructuring initiative that commenced that year. The legislation for the creation of this department, the Department of Human Resources Development Act, was passed on 12 July 1996. From June 25, 1993 until November 1993, the Department was known as Human Resources and Labour Canada. On November 4, 1993 the Department's name was changed to Human Resources Development Canada and it operated under a series of Memoranda of Understanding until the passage of the Department's Act in 1996. This department represents the integration of various components from the former departments of Health and Welfare Canada, Secretary of State, Multiculturalism and Citizenship, Employment and Immigration, and all programs from the former Department of Labour.
Under the authority of the Department of Human Resources Development Act, HRDC fulfills its mandate by administering the Employment Insurance Act, the Canada Pension Plan Act, the Old Age Security Act, the Canada Labour Code, and numerous other pieces of legislation, in order to provide an integrated approach to programs that support the income of Canadians together with human resource programs linked to the requirements of the national economy and labour market.
The Department of Human Resources Development is responsible for all government activities pertaining to Employment Insurance, including Income Benefits, Claimants, Social Insurance numbers, Active Re-Employment Benefits and Support Measures, along with the development of Labour Market Development Agreements and the implementation of Acts and Regulations pertaining to this function. The Department is also responsible for developing human resource facilities such as career resources and Labour Market Information sources, in order to ensure a well-developed workforce capable of adapting to the modern economy. HRDC also provides Youth Employment Initiatives designed to help young people make the transition into the labour market by providing them with the employability skills, work experience, skills and knowledge they need and access to relevant labour market information. In addition, the department is mandated to manage federal Income Security Programs, including the Canada Pension Plan and Old Age Security. Furthermore, it is the Office of Primary Interest for the federal government in all labour matters, providing informational resources, delivering Federal Mediation and Conciliation services, developing strategic policies and partnerships, and ensuring safety in the workplace.
All HRDC services or programs are delivered through headquarters in Ottawa, regional offices, and Human Resource Centres of Canada (HRCC) located across the country.
