Who We Are
To manage our complex and diverse responsibilities, we divide our expertise and operate in seven distinct units. Click on the links below for a description of the branch and contact information.
- Office of the Deputy Minister of Aboriginal Affairs
- Office of the Assistant Deputy Minister of Aboriginal Affairs
- Policy and Relationships Branch
- Ipperwash Response Team
- Negotiations Branch
- Legal Services Branch
- Communications Branch
- Business Services Unit
Office of the Deputy Minister
The Deputy Minister of Aboriginal Affairs leads the Ministry in managing its core business activities
Office of the Assistant Deputy Minister
- Leads the Ministry in managing its core business activities
- Provides strategic and corporate advice to support the Deputy Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs
- Maintains contact with Aboriginal leaders, the federal government and stakeholder groups to ensure good relationships.
Contact:
Doug Carr, Assistant Deputy Minister, Negotiations and Land Claims
Email: doug.carr@ontario.ca
Phone: 416-326-4741
Alison Pilla, Assistant Deputy Minister, Policy and Relationships
Email: alison.pilla@Ontario.ca
Phone: 416-212-2302
Secretary: 416-326-4743
The Office of the Assistant Deputy Minister provides executive co-ordination, analysis, advice and liaison services to help the Assistant Deputy Minister develop and manage strategic relationships with key stakeholders and the Minister's and Deputy Minister's offices. It provides operational support to senior management in day-to-day operations and leads and co-ordinates major operational initiatives.
Policy and Relationships Branch
- Develops and co-ordinates government-wide Aboriginal policy
- Provides business and corporate planning and policy advice on Aboriginal matters
- Develops and maintains positive relationships with Aboriginal leaders and organizations
- Guides Ontario's relationship with the federal government and other provincial and territorial governments regarding Aboriginal matters
- Leads and co-ordinates relationship processes with Aboriginal groups and other governments
- Plans and organizes site visits for the Minister and senior management
Contact:
Pam Wheaton, Director
Email: pam.wheaton@ontario.ca
Phone: 416-326-4053
Secretary: 416-326-4184
Ipperwash Response Team
- Facilitates the timely coordination of the government’s response to the Ipperwash Inquiry Report
- Conducts policy research and analysis on the implementation of the inquiry recommendations in cooperation with other ministries, First Nations and Aboriginal organizations, and the federal government.
Contact:
Hanita Tiefenbach, Director
Email: Hanita.Tiefenbach@ontario.ca
Phone: 416-327-9632
Secretary: 416-327-9518
Negotiations Branch
- Researches and conducts land claim negotiations
- Implements negotiated settlements
- Represents Ontario in federally-led governance negotiations
- Manages and co-ordinates other negotiations, as required.
Contact:
David Didluck, Director
Negotiations Branch
Email: David.Didluck@ontario.ca
Phone: 416-326-4740
Fax: 416-326-0542
Legal Services Branch
- Provides legal services and advice on Aboriginal matters to the Minister and to the Ministry
- Provides advice and assistance to provincial government lawyers on Aboriginal issues.
Contact:
Grant Wedge, Director
Email: Grant.Wedge@ontario.ca
Phone: 416-326-2372
Secretary: 416-326-4768
Communications Branch
- Provides communications expertise and advice
- Supports the Ministry's goals by developing communications products and services
- Provides expertise to other ministries on engaging Aboriginal media.
Contact:
Veronica Panton, Senior Advisor to the Director
Email: veronica.panton@ontario.ca
Phone: 416-314-5228
Communications Assistant: 416-326-4746
Business Services Branch
The unit provides a range of corporate functions, including business planning, financial control and budgeting, and facilities and assets management, which include:
- Providing financial planning, reporting and analysis.
- Administering and managing transfer payment programs
- Providing administrative planning; information technology; telecommunications; operations support; controllership; procurement of goods and services; and records retention, transfer and retrieval services.
- Preparing, submitting and supporting the ministry's annual business plan, in-year fiscal reporting and administrative updates
- Managing the Aboriginal Community Capital Grants Program
- Coordinating all ministry responses to Freedom of Information requests
- Leading business continuity planning
- Representing Ontario on the Mercury Disability Board
Contact:
Brian Hamilton, Manager
Email: Brian.Hamilton@ontario.ca
Phone: 416-326-4748
