Secretariat
The administrative body supporting a committee or governance body.
Plain English
The team that runs a committee: agendas, papers, minutes and follow-up.
If you’re new here
They control the agenda, which makes them far more useful to know than their title suggests.
What they probably mean
“The people who decide what gets on the agenda.”
Interpretation offered as humour, not authoritative guidance.
Bureaucracy level
How much government-speak this phrase carries. Playful indicator, not a judgement of anyone using it.
Related terms
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Important
GC Simplified is an independent tool, not affiliated with or endorsed by the Government of Canada, and it does not provide official advice. Plain language is an interpretation, and interpretations can be wrong. Always verify against the source and your organization’s own guidance before acting.