Recent Organizational Changes

Context

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has recently undertaken organizational changes to better deliver on core responsibilities while responding to evolving government priorities.
Notable changes include:
- The transition of the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) to the Department of National Defence;
- The previous Associate Deputy Minister’s role to support the Secretary of State for Nature; and,
- The creation of a National Chief Enforcement Officer role.

In June 2025, the Prime Minister announced responsibility for the CCG would move from the Minister of Fisheries to the Minister of National Defence.
On September 2, 2025, following an Order-in-Council, the CCG officially moved to the Department of National Defence (DND).
This move also involved the transfer of identified DFO internal services employees to DND.
The Department is updating its relevant delegation instruments and governance frameworks over time to reflect the new organizational structure and responsibilities.
The integration of the CCG into DFO’s information technology network is complex. It is expected that the CCG will sustain dependencies and forms of access to DFO's network for the next three years until a decoupling and migration of systems can be completed.

In May 2025, the Honourable Nathalie Provost was sworn in as Secretary of State (SoS) for Nature. This position was created to provide dedicated leadership to advance the Government’s ambition to protect more nature than ever before and deliver on Canada’s commitment to conserve 30 per cent of its lands and waters by 2030.
A formal Order-in-Council directs the SoS for Nature to assist the Minister(s) of Canadian Heritage, Fisheries, Environment, and Natural Resources in carrying out their respective responsibilities.
In June 2025, the Prime Minister announced that the Associate Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Oceans would provide direct support to the SoS for Nature.
In March 2026, the Prime Minister announced that the Associate Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Oceans would become Associate Deputy Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, and President of the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario. They will continue to support the SoS for Nature to deliver on Canada’s nature ambition.

In February 2025, the Department appointed its first National Chief Enforcement Officer, with a mandate to lead conservation and protection activities nationwide under the Fisheries Act.
The National Chief Enforcement Officer is responsible for modernizing enforcement operations, including digital transformation, improved governance, and enhanced partnerships with Indigenous partners, industry, and other enforcement bodies.
The creation of this role reflects a renewed departmental focus on compliance, enforcement, and visibility.