ABOUT FINANCE

WHO WE ARE

The mission of the ministry is to promote a dynamic, innovative and growing economy and to manage the fiscal, financial and related regulatory affairs of the Province of Ontario. To carry out this mission, the ministry will create a climate for economic growth and job creation in the province; promote the effective and efficient delivery of government services to taxpayers and reduce spending; ensure prudent management of the province's debt; balance the budget; and ensure that public organizations remain accountable to taxpayers for the use of their funds.

Minister's Office

The Honourable Dwight Duncan - Minister of Finance and Chair of Management Board of Cabinet
7 Queen's Park Crescent, 7^th floor
Toronto, Ontario
M7A 1Y7

Parliamentary Assistant - Wayne Arthurs

Deputy Minister's Office

Communications and Corporate Affairs Branch

The Communications and Corporate Affairs Branch provides strategic communications advice and planning to the Minister of Finance, the Deputy, all ministry divisions and, where appropriate, other ministries. The services include: communications planning for ministry programs, policies and initiatives; issues management; developing communications policies for the ministry; responding to public and media enquiries; advertising strategies and implementation; news releases; event planning; media monitoring and analysis; communications evaluation; speeches. The Branch tracks and coordinates responses to all ministerial correspondence and provides information and research services to support ministry staff in their policy role.

Legal Services Branch

The Legal Services Branch counsels the ministry on the interpretation of statutes and regulations, and the preparation and review of proposed legislation, regulations and other legal documents. General legal services include litigation, prosecutions, settling claims, drafting agreements and provincial legislation, providing legal advice on government financial matters, tax policy, administration and enforcement, and the issue and sale of government of Ontario securities.

Central Agencies Information and Information Technology Cluster (CAC)

The Central Agencies Information and Information Technology Cluster provide leadership in the delivery and management of information and information technology products, services and support for its customers in the Ministry of Finance, Cabinet Office and the Ministry of Public Infrastructure Renewal. The Cluster ensures that the central agencies are positioned to use secure and reliable information and information technology services in a timely, efficient and cost-effective manner to achieve program objectives. The Cluster is responsible for:

Developing and maintaining an information technology architecture that is aligned with the government's corporate I&IT direction
Delivering I&IT applications that can be leveraged to support central agency activities including ministry policy development and services delivery
I&IT service management, including I&IT infrastructure delivery assurance and I&IT privacy and security
Providing information management services to central agencies; and
Providing I&IT planning, procurement and project management office support services.

Corporate and Quality Service Division

The Corporate and Quality Service Division delivers planning, advisory and controllership functions to ensure that direction and management of operating programs is consistent with Ontario government policy and legislative directions. The division provides corporate support services including: call centre and customer service operations; data capture and cash management for all collections under the taxation statutes administered by the ministry; coordination and production of ministry documents such as the Ontario Budget; and administers the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act for the ministry. The division also manages the service and accountability relationships with Ontario Internal Audit, the Central Agencies Information and Information Technology Cluster and Ontario Shared Services of the Ministry of Government Services, and ensures proper levels of support to the ministry and its client groups.

The Budget Secretariat is responsible for the coordination and production of the Ontario Budget, Fall Economic Statement and other high-profile ministry projects. Additional responsibilities include managing and supporting ministry consultations and delegations, providing creative design, production/publication advice and assistance to the ministry and government, and developing and managing two annual ministry charitable campaigns. The Secretariat is also responsible for coordinating the physical security and fire safety of the Frost Building Complex and its occupants.

The Corporate Planning and Finance Branch (CPFB) provides a wide range of strategic planning & management services on behalf of the Ministry of Finance. CPFB fulfills two roles within the Ministry; one as the Ministry's liaison with Central Agencies and stakeholder ministries, and another as a quasi-Central Agency on behalf of the Deputy Minister and the Chief Administrative Officer for the Ministry of Finance.

In addition, CPFB provides the following products and services for the Ministry:

Financial Controllership (accounting, purchasing cards, procurement, Ontario Shared Services (OSS) Relationship Management, etc.)
Business Planning & Resource Management (Results-based Planning, Estimates, resource monitoring and risk management, Treasury Board/Management Board submissions)
Facilities, Security & Emergency Management (facilities planning, office design, space & lease management, security services, leads the Emergency Management Program)
Branch Operations (Director's Office support; CQSD Intranet; technology support).

The Human Resources Branch performs the human resources management function for the Ministry of Finance. The branch is responsible for establishing ministry human resources policies and procedures, creating appropriate classification and compensation levels for employees, recruiting staff, counseling employees, planning deployment of human resources, investigating employee grievances and handling all matters affecting work conditions and performance. The branch maintains the ministry's personnel records. It serves as a liaison between the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Government Services, the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU), the Association of Management, Administrative and Professional Crown Employees of Ontario (AMAPCEO) and Ontario Shared Services (Payroll Benefits and Generic Training). This branch also coordinates the ministry's French Language Services and Equal Opportunity Programs.

Office of the Budget and Taxation

This division leads the development of the Ontario Budget, and formulates policies and designs legislation on taxation, pension and income security.

The Personal Tax Policy and Design Branch provides advice and assistance to the Minister of Finance and the government in formulating personal income tax and employer health tax policy and ensures that tax legislation and regulations effectively express the province's tax policies. In addition, the branch provides input into the Ontario Budget and various other major economic/fiscal government documents.

The Pension and Income Security Policy Branch contributes to the formulation of Ontario's overall income security and pension policy. Income security policy includes changes in federal and provincial income security programs such as CPP, Ontario Child Care Supplement for Working Families, Ontario Guaranteed Annual Income System (GAINS) for seniors, social assistance, Workplace Safety and Insurance Board benefits, disability compensation, and the interaction of income security programs with the tax system. Public sector pension policy involves the financial aspects of issues related to teachers, public service and broader public sector (OMERS, Hydro, HOOPP and CAAT) employment pension plans The branch is also responsible for the legislative framework of Ontario's pension system and provides policy advice to the Minister regarding reforms and initiatives for the legislation applicable to employment pension plans.

The Corporate and Commodity Taxation Branch provides advice and assistance to the Minister of Finance and the government in formulating corporate, sales and commodity tax policy and ensures that tax legislation effectively express the province's tax policies. Input is also provided into the Ontario Budget and various other major economic/fiscal government documents.

The Branch also has various other responsibilities including: overall responsibility for the annual Transparency in Taxation report; policy and legislative design responsibility for the taxes associated with electricity restructuring, such as the Debt Retirement Charge and the transfer tax; policy advice with respect to alcohol fees and related industry issues and policy advice and analysis with respect to corporate and commodity tax agreements with the federal government. In all of these areas, the Branch identifies opportunities to improve existing legislation and regulations and provides advice on requests for remission orders and Orders in Council.

The Strategic Research Unit is the research support arm for the Office of Budget and Taxation. The unit provides tax policy related research advice and assistance to the divisions' policy branches responsible for research advice and assistance in the formulation of corporate tax, sales and commodity tax, personal income tax, employer health tax and income security pension policies. The unit also provides expert analysis related to the competitiveness of Ontario's tax system, including research and information services related to the advancement of Ontario's interest in federal-provincial finance matters.

Office of Economic Policy

The Office of Economic Policy provides the Minister of Finance and the government with economic analysis and policy advice on a wide range of economic, fiscal and financial issues and trends that affect economic growth and job creation. Specific areas include: the forecast and analysis of revenue development and trends that are incorporated into the fiscal plan; development of economic policy initiatives for the annual budget; advice, forecasts and information on the performance of the Ontario economy and on economic issues and trends; labour market and socioeconomic issues; analysis and advice on the regulatory framework for financial institutions and the financial services sector; and population projections and analysis of demographic issues. The OEP represents Ontario in federal-provincial-territorial discussions regarding financial services policy and in negotiations with Statistics Canada.

The Industrial and Financial Policy Branch provides the Ministry of Finance with policy research, analysis and development services regarding Ontario's interest in, and regulation of, the financial services sector. It also provides analytical support and policy advice on a wide range of microeconomic issues related to economic growth and job creation. These include policy areas such as industry sector and regional economic performance and development, access to capital, the economics of innovation and environmental economics.

The Economic and Revenue Forecasting and Analysis Branch is responsible for analyzing the overall state of Ontario's economy. In particular, it develops the macroeconomic and revenue forecasts for the province, monitors revenue performance and current economic conditions, produces the quarterly Ontario Economic Accounts, assesses the macroeconomic impact of government policy and major internal and external economic developments (e.g. changes in interest rates/exchange rates) and provides advice on macroeconomic policy issues.

The Labour and Demographic Analysis Branch conducts research, monitors trends, provides analysis and develops policy options in the areas of demographics, labour economics and related socio-economic policy such as: immigration, population projections and analysis, job creation, youth and older workers, skill shortages, training, postsecondary education, incomes and compensation, collective bargaining, public sector analysis, low income, and employment standards.

Provincial Local Finance Division

PLFD provides advice for the Minister of Finance on policies, legislation and operational initiatives that support the Government's strategic objectives in the areas of municipal finance and property tax. The Division also administers the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund (OMPF), and develops policies and legislation related to initiatives such as Provincial Land Tax, Brownfields, the Managed Forests Tax Incentive Program, and the Conservation Land Tax Incentive Program.

Treasury Board Office

The Fiscal Strategy and Coordination Division provides analysis and support to the Results-Based Planning and Estimate process, the fiscal plan development, federal-provincial fiscal relations and in-year expenditure monitoring.

Education and Planning Branch
Health and Demand Forecasting Branch
Social Policy and Fiscal Framework Branch
Justice and Non-Tax Revenue Branch

The Office of the Provincial Controller ensures effective financial management, accounting and control of programs, activities and resources by providing timely accurate advice.

Accounting Policy & Financial Reporting Branch
Financial Management & Control Policy Branch
Operations Control & Management Reporting Branch

The Ontario Internal Audit Division enhances the ability of ministries and agencies to prudently manage their resources in meeting their business objectives through audit services and risk management advice.

Enterprise-wide Audit Service Team (EWAST) and Audit Centre for Excellence (ACE): ACE: 416-325-4298 EWAST: 416-314-2147
Community Services Audit Service Team: 416-585-6560
Culture and Innovation Audit Service Team: 416-585-6593
Education Audit Service Team: 416-212-4816
Enterprise-wide IT Audit and Quality Assurance: 416-314-2147
Finance Audit Service Team: 416-325-8320
Forensic Investigation Team: 905-704-2338
Government Services Audit Service Team: 416-326-1703
Health Audit Services Team: 416-327-7792
Justice Audit Service Team: 416-326-4226 or 705-329-6741
Resources & Labour Audit Service Team: 416-314-9210
Transportation & Agriculture Audit Service Team: 905-704-2338 or 519-826-3778

The BPS Supply Chain Secretariat facilitates integrated supply chain and back-office leading practices in Ontario's broader public sector.