Organizational structure

Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s (DFO) national headquarters is in Ottawa. The national headquarters is organized into various sectors. The Canadian Coast Guard (CCG), a strategic operating agency under the DFO portfolio, is also headquartered in Ottawa. Several DFO and CCG regions stretch from coast to coast to coast.

At the head of the Department is the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard.

The Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Oceans reports to the Minister.

Reporting to the Deputy Minister are the Associate Deputy Minister, the Commissioner of the Canadian Coast Guard, and the heads of the various DFO sectors (Assistant Deputy Ministers) and regions (Regional Directors General).

Reporting to the Commissioner of the Canadian Coast Guard are the Deputy Commissioners, two Directors General, and heads of the various CCG regions (Assistant Commissioners).

The following diagram illustrates the organizational structure.

DFO's Organizational Structure
Text version

Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard

Deputy Minister

Associate Deputy Minister

Sector Heads
Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategic Policy
Assistant Deputy Minister, Fisheries and Harbour Management
Assistant Deputy Minister, Aquatic Ecosystems
Assistant Deputy Minister, Ecosystems and Oceans Science
Assistant Deputy Minister and Chief Financial Officer
Assistant Deputy Minister, Human Resources and Corporate Services
Senior General Counsel and Head of Legal Services
Director General, Chief Audit Executive

Regional Directors General
Regional Director General, Pacific 
Regional Director General, Maritimes 
Regional Director General, Newfoundland and Labrador
Regional Director General, Gulf  
Regional Director General, Quebec 
Regional Director General, Central and Arctic
Regional Director General, Arctic

Commissioner, Canadian Coast Guard

Deputy Commissioner, Operations
Deputy Commissioner, Shipbuilding and Material
Director General, Personnel
Director General, Innovation, Planning and Engagement

Assistant commissioners
Assistant Commissioner, Atlantic
Assistant Commissioner, Western
Assistant Commissioner, Central and Arctic
Assistant Commissioner, Arctic