The Department of Natural Resources is organized into sectors — Canadian Forest Service, Energy Policy Sector, Energy Technology and Programs Sector, Earth Sciences Sector, Minerals and Metals Sector, Corporate Management and Services Sector and Science and Policy Integration. The department also has two corporate branches, Communications Branch, and Audit and Evaluation Branch. In addition, the department has an Office of the Chief Scientist. There are also two Crown corporations (Atomic Energy of Canada Limited and the Cape Breton Development Corporation), the Northern Pipeline Agency and several boards, commissions, committees and councils, such as the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, that report to Parliament through the Minister of Natural Resources.

Audit Branch

Internal Audit
The Internal Audit Division provides independent, objective assurance and advisory services designed to add value and improve the department's operations. Internal audit activity helps the department accomplish its objectives by bringing a systematic, disciplined approach to assessing and improving the effectiveness of risk management, control, and governance processes in the department.

Canadian Forest Service
The Canadian Forest Service (CFS) promotes the sustainable development of Canada's forests and the competitiveness of the Canadian forest sector. The CFS advances sustainable forest management by monitoring forest health, providing national forestry statistics, economic and policy analysis, and conducting research on issues of national and international significance such as biodiversity, afforestation, climate change and forest fires and competitiveness including the transformation of the forest sector. The CFS synthesises and integrates information from all sources within the Canadian forest sector to report nationally and internationally. Well-equipped with scientific, technical, economic and policy development expertise, the CFS plays a lead role in addressing national and international issues that affect Canada's forests and forest sector. To this end, the CFS brings together stakeholders to develop common strategies and national consensus on forestry issues and establishes links and partnerships with other departments, provinces and territories, industry, forest research institutes, universities, Aboriginal communities, and non-governmental groups. The CFS delivers its services through its headquarters in the National Capital Region and a network of five forestry centres. These centres are strategically located across Canada: Victoria, British Columbia; Edmonton, Alberta; Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario; Québec, Québec; and Fredericton, New Brunswick. The centre in Edmonton has a Saskatchewan Liaison Office in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. The centre in Fredericton has a research office located in Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador, as well as the Acadia Research Forest. The Sault Ste. Marie centre manages the national Petawawa Research Forest in Chalk River.

Communications Branch
The Communications Branch is responsible for providing a full range of communications services to the Minister, Deputy Minister and senior management. It advises and helps different sectors in the department as they plan and implement strategies to keep the public informed. It also analyzes public and media reaction to departmental initiatives.

Corporate Management and Services Sector (CMSS)
The Corporate Management and Services Sector provides NRCan with a policy direction and leadership as well as effective and efficient internal services to support NRCan in achieving its strategic outcomes and to enable sound management, including the greening of operations, in the following areas: management and oversight, human resource management, financial management, supply chain management, facilities and asset management, information management, information technology and safety, security and emergency management. Corporate Management Service Sector comprises a Financial Management Branch, a Human Resources and Security Management Branch, and Information Management Branch, each headed by a Director General, as well as a Shared Services Office and Real Property Management Division each headed by an Executive Director.

Earth Sciences Sector
The Earth Sciences Sector (ESS) of Natural Resources Canada is a national institution with deep roots in Canada's history, some predating Confederation, and has an important role to play in Canada's future. ESS is the country's principal earth sciences agency. It provides timely, reliable information, services and expertise on geomatics and geoscience to Canadians. ESS is recognized as a world leader in the provision of public-good earth sciences data and information.

The sector is made up of two major organizations — the Geological Survey of Canada and Geomatics Canada. As Canada's national geoscience agency, the Geological Survey of Canada provides geological information and technologies to support the sustainable development of Canada's resources. Geomatics Canada provides geographic maps and information on Canada's land mass and offshore resources. The scientific knowledge, tools and insights provided by the Geological Survey of Canada and Geomatics Canada contribute to the Government of Canada and to the lives of Canadians through economic development, public safety and security, environmental stewardship, and supporting the governance and understanding of Canada through the provision of a cadastral system.

Energy Sector
In partnership with all levels of government, universities, research institutes, the private sector and international organizations, the Energy Sector works to enhance the economic and environmental well-being of Canada by fostering the sustainable development and use of the nation's energy resources to meet the present and future needs of Canadians. Its mission is "A better energy future for Canada." ES focuses on science and technology, policies, programs, knowledge and international activities in the areas of energy efficiency, renewables and alternatives, and energy resources to further sustainable development.

Energy Technology and Programs Sector (ETPS)
The Energy Technology and Programs Sector provides leadership in developing and implementing energy S&T and energy efficiency policies and programs for NRCan. The Sector builds and maintains energy technology research and knowledge capacity in the department. The sector is responsible for directing the planning, organization and activities of highly specialized research and development to support hydrocarbon, non-hydrocarbon, alternate energy and energy efficiency sectors, and the relevant and associated industries across Canada. The efficient use of energy resources is key to addressing issues regarding clean air and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The sector is responsible for developing and implementing integrated strategies, plans and programs (including energy-efficiency programs, improved energy-efficiency regulations, training and information) to promote greater attention to, and progress in, energy efficiency and alternative energy use in Canada in response to government priorities.

Geological Survey of Canada (GSC)
The GSC is Canada's national geoscience agency providing geological information on Canada's land mass and near-offshore regions to support the sustainable development of the nation's natural resources, to help mitigate against loss from natural disasters and to inform people about environmental stewardship and health issues. The GSC delivers its programs through the Central and Northern Canada Branch and the Atlantic and Western Canada Branch, whose interlinked activities draw on the expertise of scientists and support staff in seven GSC offices located across Canada.

Geomatics Canada (GC)
Geomatics Canada is a part of the Earth Sciences Sector of Natural Resources Canada. Geomatics makes Canada one of the world's "smartest" developers of natural resources. Geomatics Canada is responsible for matters relating to cadastral surveying, mapping, remote sensing and geographically referenced information describing the Canadian territory. Geomatics information is used in formulating public policy and in supporting internationally competitive Canadian geospatial enterprises. Primary activities include the acquisition, transformation, integration, management and dissemination of topographical and geographical information and remotely sensed data, the development and transfer of associated technologies, and participation in related national and international partnerships.

From 1999 to 2005, with $60 million in funding from the federal government and the support and involvement of hundreds of other organizations across the county, GeoConnections developed the policies, standards, technologies, and partnerships needed to build the Canadian Geospatial Data Infrastructure (CGDI).

Major Projects Management Office (MPMO)
The MPMO's role is to provide overarching project management and accountability for major resource projects in the federal regulatory review process, and to facilitate improvements to the regulatory system for major resource projects. The MPMO serves as the single point of entry into the federal regulatory process for all stakeholders, it provides guidance to project proponents and other stakeholders, it coordinates project agreements and timelines between federal departments and agencies, and it monitors and tracks the progression of major resource projects through the federal regulatory review process. The Office also works collaboratively with other departments and agencies to identify areas where the consistency, efficiency and effectiveness of the federal regulatory process for major resource projects can be improved, both in the short- and longer-term.

Minerals and Metals Sector (MMS)
The Minerals and Metals Sector (MMS) is the Government of Canada's primary source of scientific and technological knowledge and policy advice on Canada's mineral and metal resources and on explosives regulation and technology. In addition to housing three of Canada's premier scientific research institutions, MMS has the government lead in promoting the sustainable development and responsible use of Canada's mineral and metal resources. MMS is a leader in the generation and dissemination of knowledge on the Canadian minerals and metals industry. The sector collaborates with, and provides research services to, governmental, institutional and industrial clients for the development of new technology with economic, environmental and social benefits to Canadians.

Science and Policy Integration (SPI)
SPI supports the Minister, the Deputy Minister, the Departmental Management Committee (DMC) and the Policy Management Committee (PMC) by providing policy and strategic advice in the management and coordination of the department — in the context of evolving federal priorities and emerging issues within the natural resource sectors. It works within NRCan and with other partners to develop departmental responses to government-wide policy priorities and to position NRCan strategically within the interdepartmental community. SPI develops and coordinates departmental policies on key horizontal issues such as innovation, regulatory policy, international, regional, environmental, sustainable development, freshwater and Aboriginal issues and leads NRCan's sustainable development strategy. It develops integrated responses to northern Canadian resource issues. It also conducts economic analysis on emerging issues. Through the Deputy Minister, SPI provides advice and issue-management support to the Minister and the department. Cabinet Affairs, Parliamentary Affairs and the Appointments Office are key to fulfilling these responsibilities. The branch leads the development of strategic departmental policies. SPI also leads the department's strategic and business planning cycle. The Environmental Assessment team is responsible for coordinating NRCan's role in the environmental assessment of resource projects where NRCan is a responsible authority or a federal authority. The SPI Environmental Management team establishes policies and procedures related to the environmental performance of NRCan's facilities. The branch is responsible for managing special projects, including the annual NRCan Senior Managers' Conference and DMC retreats. It also provides quality control for ministerial and deputy ministerial correspondence and documents through its Executive Documents Unit.