The Handbook of Board Governance, 3rd Edition

73The ABCs (Agencies, Boards, and Committees) of Government

David Tsubouchi, BA, JD, LLD, DSLitt, CDir

Author and former politician, regulator, and Integrity Commissioner

Every year the Ontario Government makes more than 1,500 appointments to just under 200 government agencies, boards, and committees (ABCs) and more than 300 other corporate entities. For simplicity purposes I will refer to them collectively as Agencies. The subject matter for these ABCs covers every ministry’s responsibility and interest and most aspects of life for Ontarians:

• Agriculture
• Social services
• Education
• Environment and resources
• Culture and community
• Municipal affairs
• Economy and growth
• Justice
• Community safety
• Consumer services and protection
• Health
• Labor and remuneration
• Public works and infrastructure

A government agency is not technically part of the ministry. The agency provides a public service or function that has been authorized by the government and accountable to the minister. The minister or the cabinet (lieutenant governor in council) appoints in some cases all the directors of an agency and in other cases some of the directors. Some may be appointed by the industry or recommended for appointment by the industry. Oversight of the public appointments process lies with the minister in charge of the treasury/management board. The Public Appointments Secretariat supervises the process and reports to this minister.

Government appointments are made to a range of boards that include adjudicative ...