Question Period Note: Tabling of Employment and Social Development Canada’s Supplementary Estimates (B) for Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 2026

Why is Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) requesting a transfer of
$0.2 million from various organizations to Employment and Social Development to support
Policy Horizons Canada in the Supplementary Estimates (B) for fiscal year ending March 31,
2026?

Policy Horizons Canada reports through Employment and Social Development
Canada and has an established base budget of $3.8 million per year. Its mandate is
to provide foresight services and expertise to departments and agencies across the
Government of Canada, and as such the organization has signed several
Memoranda of Understanding with departments and agencies, under which they
transfer some additional funding to allow Policy Horizons to expand its activities
and provide them with specialized foresight services.
• Source of $0.2 million: $150,000 for a period of 1 year from Communications
Security Establishment (CSE), $65,000 for the first year from Social Sciences and
Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC).

Policy Horizons Canada is the Government of Canada’s center of excellence in foresight. Its
mandate is to empower the Government of Canada with a future-oriented mindset and outlook to
strengthen decision making. Policy Horizons provides a wide range of services to federal
government departments, agencies and crown corporations that support decision-makers’ ability
to navigate uncertainty, mitigate risk and identify opportunities.

While Policy Horizons administratively reports through ESDC, its mandate is horizontal. In
particular, it provides foresight services and expertise to departments and agencies across
the Government of Canada.
• Policy Horizons Canada’s core budget is $3.8 million. Policy Horizons has negotiated
several Memoranda of Understanding with other federal organizations, who have agreed to
provide it with additional funding to access certain specialized foresight services.“Policy Horizons Canada also provides value to the Government of Canada as it is recognized as
a leader in government foresight, contributing to the Government of Canada’s external profile,
both within Canada and internationally.” –Deputy Minister Steering Committee co-chairs, Paul
Thompson and Mollie Johnson