Transformation @ DFAIT

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (DFAIT) has undergone significant change since its modest beginnings in a tiny office above a barbershop in downtown Ottawa in 1909.

As DFAIT nears its 100th anniversary, change remains a constant. The department is keeping pace with a rapidly changing world and Canadians’ evolving needs and priorities.

Our Vision

In 2007, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada launched its Transformation Agenda to create a modern, integrated 21st century foreign and trade ministry that:

• is flexible enough to respond to the future while remaining focused on its core mandate;
• has the right people in the right places serving Canadians and making a difference in the world;
• that generates continuous innovation and new thinking; and
• and is a terrific place to work.

Transformation Agenda

In 2007, the department launched a process of transformation aimed at building a state-of-the-art foreign and trade ministry. The transformation of DFAIT will focus on six key themes:

1. Aligning with government priorities

We are aligning the department’s organizations and focusing on delivery of the government’s foreign and trade policy priorities: greater economic opportunity for Canada, with a focus on growing or emerging markets; the United States and the hemisphere; and Afghanistan, including in the context of neighbouring countries. We are also changing the way we operate in order to respond quickly and flexibly to new and emerging priorities as they arise.

2. Strengthening our international platform

We are strengthening our international platform, bolstering our presence abroad and ensuring that our missions overseas are in places that matter most to Canadian interests.

3. Improving services to Canadians

More than ever before, Canadians live, work, travel and do business abroad. Their engagement with the world depends to a large extent on the consular, passport and trade services the department provides. We will continue to improve these services. We are undertaking reforms in each one to deliver them to Canadians in a more timely and cost-effective manner.

4. Focusing on our core policy business

We are strengthening the department’s policy and program activities in areas that are at the core of its mandate: peace and security, trade and investment, international law and human rights. At the same time, we are reducing our involvement in areas best left to other departments.

5. Strengthening accountability

Transformation will ensure that DFAIT meets the highest standards of accountability and financial management. We have created new structures and offices, including a Chief Financial Officer, to make sure that DFAIT provides the most effective possible stewardship of public funds.

6. Renewing our human resources

Public service renewal is a priority for the government and for DFAIT. We are stepping up recruitment to renew our workforce. We will put a premium on learning, making sure our workforce retains the skills required to compete in today’s fast-paced world. We will also emphasize knowledge of the languages that will count for so much in this century: Chinese, Arabic, Russian, Japanese, Spanish and Portuguese.

For more information, please visit the Office of Transformation (FXIT) page.