Functional Responsibility:
The Executive Council of Alberta was established under An Act to establish and provide for the Government of the Province of Alberta, Canadian legislation more commonly known as The Alberta Act, which received assent July 20, 1905 and came into force September 1, 1905. The Executive Council is comprised of the Premier and the Ministers of the Alberta Government. Ministers are assigned portfolios by the Premier and are responsible for managing the various departments and agencies. The Ministers aid and advise the Premier, who is the President of the Executive Council.

The Office of the Executive Council is identified as early as 1906 in the Public Service Act (S.A. 1906, chapter 4). Traditionally, such offices provide support to the Executive Council (or Cabinet) and Cabinet Committees. The Office is overseen by the Clerk of the Executive Council. Like the position of Premier, this position of Clerk of the Executive Council is in many respects a matter of convention and tradition, and the position has evolved since the province was established.

A number of acts identify some of the responsibilities of the Clerk of the Executive Council. One such responsibility is identified in the Public Service Act: to take and subscribe the oaths before the Lieutenant Governor, or appoint someone to administer the oaths, and keep a record of these oaths. Oaths under The Statistics Bureau Act are also to be taken before the Clerk of the Executive Council. Under the Evidence Act (S.A.1910, chapter 3, section 26), the Clerk of the Executive Council (or the acting or assistant clerk) could provide a copy or extract of a proclamation, order, regulation or appointment, which could be considered as evidence or proof of this proclamation, order, regulation or appointment. Under the most recent version of this act (Alberta Evidence Act, R.S.A. 2000, chapter A-18, section 29), proof of a proclamation, order, regulation or appointment can be obtained through a copy of or extract from the proclamation, order, regulation or appointment, professed to be certified as a true copy by the Clerk of the Executive Council. From 1935 until 1972, the positions of Clerk of the Legislative Assembly and Clerk of the Executive Council were occupied by the same person.

Changes were made to the Executive Council Office under Premier Peter Lougheed. In 1973, two new positions were created, the Deputy Minister of the Executive Council and the Executive Secretary. The person occupying these positions was responsible for planning, managing and coordinating the decision-making process of the Executive Council. A decade later, the Deputy Minister was no longer part of the cabinet decision-making process. The Executive Council Office provided support services to the Executive Council (or Cabinet) and Cabinet Committees, and also coordinated their actions. The Deputy Minister of the Executive Council is responsible to the Premier for the implementation of Cabinet decisions through public service and for the coordination of government departments and agencies. As Secretary of Cabinet, the Deputy Minister provides a system of support services to Executive Council.

The Executive Council Office provides support to Government ministries and agencies, to ensure that the programs and services respond to the needs of Albertans. The Office also provides administrative and communications support for policy coordination, business planning, and cross-government initiatives.

Administrative Relationships:
The Office of the Executive Council reports to the President of the Executive Council, the Premier, through the Deputy Minister of the Executive Council, who is also the Clerk of the Executive Council.

Between 1935 and 1972, the Clerk of the Executive Council also served as the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly.

Administrative Structure:
In 1976, the Executive Council Office was comprised of the Deputy Minister of the Executive Council, along with a Director of Cabinet Committees and a Director of Project Management, and their staff. By 1978, the Director of Cabinet Committees had been replaced by a number of secretaries to Cabinet and the Cabinet Committees. As well, there was an Assistant Clerk of the Executive Council. In 1980, those reporting directly to the Deputy Minister included the Assistant Clerk of the Executive Council, the Assistant Secretary to Cabinet, and the Director of Project Management. A Director of Finance and Administration was soon added to this organization. A Coordinator of Regulatory Reform was added, beginning in the mid-1980s and lasting until the end of the decade; the Assistant Clerk of the Executive Council was eliminated around the same time.

According to the most recent organizational chart, the Executive Council Office includes the Cabinet Secretariat, the Protocol Office and the Policy Coordination Office. As well, the Public Affairs Bureau reports to both the Executive Council Office and the Office of the Premier.

Names of the Corporate bodies:
The Executive Council Office is also referred to as the Office of the Executive Council.

Names of Chief Officers:
Clerks of the Executive Council:
John Kenneth MacDonald, 1905-1906
Murdoch James Macleod, 1906-1912
Donald Baker, 1912-1915
John D. Hunt, 1915-1935
Robert Albert Andison, 1935-1955
Raymond Albert Auguste Crevolin, 1955-1966
W.H. MacDonald, 1966-1972
Edwin M. Mills, 1972-1974

Deputy Ministers / Clerks of the Executive Council
Edwin M. Mills, 1974
Harry Bertram Hobbs, 1974-1983
George DeRappard,1983-1986
George Barry Mellon ,1986-1993
Vance A. MacNichol, 1993-1997
John Charles Davis, 1997-1999
Julian Joseph Nowicki, 1999-2004
Ronald J. Hicks, 2004-2008
Brian Manning, 2008-2011
Peter Watson, 2011-