A Deputy Minister (DM) is the highest-ranking public servant in a government department, serving as the administrative head while the Minister provides political leadership. Deputy Ministers are non-partisan career civil servants (or occasionally outside appointees) who manage day-to-day operations, oversee staff, implement policies, and provide expert advice to their Minister. They ensure continuity as governments change, maintaining institutional knowledge and professional administration regardless of which party holds power. DMs are accountable for their department's management, finances, and results. The relationship between Minister and Deputy Minister is crucial to effective governance—Ministers set direction and make political decisions while DMs ensure competent execution. At the federal level, the Clerk of the Privy Council is effectively the Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister and head of the public service.