đ¨đŚ Michael Sabia to Lead Canadaâs Public Service as New Clerk of the Privy Council
Michael Sabia to replace retiring Clerk John Hannaford as Canadaâs top public servant, bringing decades of experience in finance, policy, and public leadership.
Sabia, a seasoned leader across both public and private sectors, will take over from John Hannaford, who is set to retire after nearly three decades of federal service.
In a statement, Prime Minister Carney praised Sabiaâs experience and vision, describing him as a key figure in helping the government advance its economic and nation-building agenda.
âAs Canadaâs new government moves with focus and determination to build the strongest economy in the G7⌠Mr. Sabia will help us deliver on this mandate and our governmentâs disciplined focus on core priorities,â said Carney.
đ§ A Proven Leader in Policy and Finance
Michael Sabia brings a wealth of experience to the role. He has previously served as:
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Deputy Minister of Finance, where he oversaw major policy responses during the COVID-19 recovery;
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President and CEO of Hydro-QuĂŠbec;
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President and CEO of the Caisse de dĂŠpĂ´t et placement du QuĂŠbec (CDPQ), one of Canadaâs largest institutional investors;
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Director of the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy at the University of Toronto.
He also held senior leadership roles at Bell Canada Enterprises and Canadian National Railway, and earlier in his career, worked within the Privy Council Office, which he will now lead.
In 2020, Sabia was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada for his contributions to business, public policy, and national leadership.
đĽ Honouring a Steady Hand
The Prime Minister also extended deep thanks to outgoing Clerk John Hannaford, who began his federal career in 1995. Hannaford served in multiple senior posts, including:
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Deputy Minister of Natural Resources
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Deputy Minister of International Trade
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Ambassador to Norway (2009â2012)
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Foreign and Defence Policy Advisor to the Prime Minister
As Clerk, Hannaford played a crucial role during the early transition period of the Carney government, advising on everything from new border security measures to middle-class tax reform. He is credited with guiding the public service through a renewed emphasis on ethics, values, and non-partisan excellence.
In recognition of his contributions, Hannaford will be appointed to the Kingâs Privy Council for Canada prior to his retirement.
đď¸ The Role of the Clerk
The Clerk of the Privy Council is Canadaâs top civil servant and principal adviser to the Prime Minister and Cabinet. The Clerk ensures that the federal public service remains effective, values-driven, and non-partisan in its work designing and delivering services for Canadians.
Sabia will take the helm at a pivotal moment as the Carney government pushes ahead with economic growth initiatives, public-sector reform, and national infrastructure investments.
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