Our mandate is spelled out in the Export Development Act. Under the Financial Administration Act, we are required to submit an annual corporate plan, which sets our performance measures and objectives, an annual report, which reports on our performance against these objectives, and an operating budget. 

These exercises are also informed by the Minister of International Trade Diversification’s annual Statement of Priorities and Accountabilities.

 

Legislative Review

EDC is subject to a Legislative Review by the Government of Canada every 10 years to ensure that its mandate and the Export Development Act meet the evolving needs of Canada’s exporters and investors. The 2018 review is now underway.

Detailed information containing the terms of reference for the legislative review is available on www.edc2018.ca.

Our own submission to the Legislative Review, entitled Evolving with the Changing Needs of Exporters, provides a look back at EDC’s evolution since the last review and how we are preparing for the future of trade.

Evolving with the Changing Needs of Exporters

Board of Directors

EDC is governed by a Board of Directors whose representatives are primarily from the private sector. The Board's responsibility is to supervise the direction and management of EDC and oversee our strategic direction as outlined in our Corporate Plan. Board members are appointed by the Government of Canada, and report to Parliament through the Minister for International Trade.

Official annual report of Board activities

EDC Board of Directors' Terms of Office

Executive Management Team

In addition to overseeing day-to-day operations, the Executive Management Team plans and executes the business strategy as outlined in the Corporate Plan.

Audit Committee of the Board of Directors

The Audit Committee is composed of directors independent of EDC management. This Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its responsibilities related to financial matters, business ethics, environmental review and our disclosure of wrongdoing program. The Committee regularly meets independently with representatives of the Office of the Auditor General and EDC’s internal auditors. The Terms of Reference for the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors outline the Committee’s composition, purpose, areas of responsibility and related work and are reviewed on an annual basis.

Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector & EDC’s Code of Conduct

EDC employees are required to abide by the Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector, as well as EDC’s Code of Conduct. These Codes are important sources of guidance and serve as the foundation for how we do business.

EDC’s senior officer of internal disclosure has been designated as the contact for members of the public who may have reason to believe an EDC employee is not complying with the public sector code. 

More information

ESG - Environmental, Social and Governance Council

As part of our effort to continually improve our environmental, social and governance practices, we created an ESG Advisory Advisory Council to provide advice and guidance on our ESG practices.

Statement of Priorities and Accountabilities

The Minister of International Trade Diversification provides a Statement of Priorities and Accountabilities to the EDC Board Chair annually.

 

Explore other pages within Management and Governance

Audits

The Auditor General performs special examinations and annual financial audits while our Internal Audit group conducts annual audits as per a risk-based audit plan.

 

 

Date modified: 2024-01-03