Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) Formerly Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) ESDC is the department of the Government of Canada responsible for developing, managing and delivering social programs and services. ESDC's mission is to build a stronger and more competitive Canada, to support Canadians in making choices that help them live productive and rewarding lives, and to improve Canadians' quality of life. ESDC is the fourth-largest department within the Government of Canada, after the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the department of National Defence, and the Canada Revenue Agency. In very tangible ways, our employees touch the lives of Canadians across the entire country—our operations span Canada, with more than 65 percent of our employees working outside of the National Capital Region.