Rescinded [2022-05-13] - Policy on Management of Materiel

1.1 This policy takes effect on November1, 2006.

1.2 Together with the four directives listed in section 3.5 below, it replaces the following Treasury Board policies:

• Materiel Management Policy, dated June 8, 1995;
• Disposal of Surplus Moveable Crown Assets, dated February 10, 2000;
• Motor Vehicle Policy, dated June 19, 1996; and
• Executive Vehicle Policy, dated June 1, 2002.

2.1 This policy applies to all departments as defined in section 2 of the Financial Administration Act, unless specific acts or regulations override it.

2.2 This policy does not apply to the management of intellectual property, the management of records, the management of information, the management of financial assets, or to the management of seized or confiscated property.

3.1 Federal materiel assets are vital corporate resources that, when managed well, support the cost-effective and efficient delivery of government programs.

3.2 This policy is issued pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, subsections 7(1), 9(2) and section 62, and the Surplus Crown Assets Act, subsection 3(1)(b).

3.3 Ministers are accountable for the management of materiel to support the delivery of programs according to their departmental mandates. Deputy heads are accountable to their respective minister and to the Treasury Board for the sound stewardship of the materiel entrusted to them or used by their organization.

3.4 This policy is framed by the principles set out in the Policy Framework for the Management of Assets and Acquired Services. The policy must be read in the context of related Treasury Board policies, especially those governing investment planning, procurement and project management.

3.5 Additional mandatory requirements are set out in the four Treasury Board directives associated with this policy:

• Disposal of Surplus Materiel;
• Fleet Management: Executive Vehicles;
• Fleet Management: Light Duty Vehicles; and
• Controlled Goods.

4.1 Definitions to be used in the interpretation of this policy and its associated directives can be found in the Appendix.

7.1 Based on its assessment of departmental performance in the management of materiel, the Secretary of the Treasury Board will make appropriate recommendations to the deputy head of a department and to the Treasury Board.

Note: This section informs departments of other significant players in the management of materiel. In and of itself, it does not confer an authority.

8.1 Environment Canada (EC) provides advice and recommendations to all federal departments on environmental matters. Through a full consultative process, EC works with departments to establish federal environmental goals and objectives and to develop regulations, directives, guidelines, standards or codes affecting federal departments and agencies.

8.2 The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency advises federal departments and agencies of their obligations under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act and provides administrative support for public reviews.

8.3 Canadian Heritage is responsible for the initiation, recommendation, co-ordination, implementation and promotion of national policies, projects and programs concerning Canadian identity and values, cultural development, heritage and areas of natural or historical significance to the nation.

8.4 Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) is responsible for the provision of a range of asset-related common services to departments, including:

• contracting for goods, services and construction;
• managing seized property, forensic accounting, controlled goods, industrial security and traffic;
• managing the Vehicle Statistical Information System; and
• disposing of goods on behalf of departments.

8.5 PWGSC and National Defence share responsibility for providing materiel identification and related services to departments.

8.6 National Defence is responsible for the administration and maintenance of the Canadian Government Cataloguing System.

8.7 The President of the Treasury Board is responsible for:

• reporting to Parliament, as soon as practicable, but not later than six months following the end of each fiscal year, on the application of the Alternative Fuels Act in respect of all federal bodies (excluding Crown corporations); and
• recommending to the Treasury Board that it make regulations to give effect to the purpose or any provision of the Alternative Fuels Act.

8.8 Treasury Board Secretariat, in addition to the explicit responsibilities outlined in this policy, provides the appropriate tools and guidance necessary to support this policy and its associated directives. The Secretariat also supports the professional development of the materiel management community.

Please direct enquiries about this policy instrument to the organizational unit in your department responsible for this subject matter. For interpretation of this policy instrument, the responsible organizational unit should contact: TBS Public Enquiries.