Special operating agency

A special operating agency (SOA) is a designation given to a government organization within a department or agency of the Government of Canada, or a provincial government, that has some management flexibility, independence, and separate accountability. Federal SOAs function, without legislation, within a framework agreement approved by their given department's deputy minister, the minister responsible for the agency, and the Treasury Board. They are considered part of the host department and not separate legal entities.^[1]

Special operating agencies also exist among some provincial governments in Canada.^[2]

Federal special operating agencies

Current

Agency[3]	Parent department
Canadian Coast Guard	Fisheries and Oceans
Canadian Conservation Institute	Canadian Heritage
Canadian Forces Housing Agency	National Defence
Canadian Heritage Information Network	Canadian Heritage
Canadian Intellectual Property Office	Innovation, Science and Economic Development
Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency	Agriculture and Agri-Food
CORCAN[4]	Correctional Services (Public Safety)
Indian Oil and Gas Canada (IOGC)[5]	Indigenous Services Canada
Industrial Technologies Office (ITO)[6]	Innovation, Science and Economic Development
Measurement Canada	Innovation, Science and Economic Development
Translation Bureau	Public Services and Procurement

Former

• Consulting and Audit Canada Revolving Fund (Public Services and Procurement)
• Passport Canada (Global Affairs)
• Physical Resources Bureau (Global Affairs)^[7]
• Defence Research and Development Canada^[8]

Provincial special operating agencies

Special operating agencies also exist among some provincial governments in Canada.

Manitoba

Agency	Parent department	Notes
Entrepreneurship Manitoba	Consumer Protection and Government Services[9]
Materials Distribution Agency	Consumer Protection and Government Services[9]	The mail and materials management services agency for the provincial government and government-funded organizations[10]
Manitoba Education, Research and Learning Information Networks (MERLIN)	Consumer Protection and Government Services[9]	Coordinates the delivery of technology services to the education community in Manitoba
Public Guardian and Trustee	Consumer Protection and Government Services[9]	Manages and protects the affairs of those who are "unable to do so themselves and have no one else willing or able to act," including mentally incompetent and vulnerable adults, deceased estates, and children
Vehicle and Equipment Management Agency	Consumer Protection and Government Services[9]	Fleet management organizations for public-sector organizations operating in Manitoba
Industrial Technology Centre (former)[11]	Manitoba Economic Development and Jobs
Office of the Fire Commissioner[12]
Manitoba Financial Services Agency[13]	Manitoba Finance
Food Development Centre	Manitoba Agriculture	Fee-for-service agency created to "assist Manitoba's agrifood industry in the development and commercialization of food products."[14]
Green Manitoba[15]	Manitoba Conservation and Climate