Prime Minister Mark Carney has restructured senior positions across the public service, introducing new roles and expanding others to align government operations with national goals. This follows a December reshuffle of deputy ministers aimed at delivering tangible benefits for Canadians.
Key Shifts in Trade and Diplomacy
Glenn Purves returns to government after departing the public sector in January 2025 for a role as an economist at the BlackRock Investment Institute. He now serves as deputy minister of international trade. Purves previously held the position of assistant deputy minister of economic development at Finance Canada from 2021, along with senior roles there from 2011 to 2018, including director general of fiscal policy. His experience also includes assistant secretary at the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat and senior adviser at the International Monetary Fund.
David Morrison transitions from deputy minister of foreign affairs to senior diplomatic and international affairs adviser to the Prime Minister. He will represent Canada in negotiations ahead of G7 and G20 summits and operate from the Privy Council Office, which oversees the federal public service. Arun Thangaraj moves from deputy minister of transport to Morrison’s former role at Global Affairs Canada.
Cynthia Termorshuizen, previously the G7 and G20 sherpa, takes on the deputy minister position for international development. She served as deputy ambassador to China from 2015 to 2018 and as associate deputy minister of foreign affairs.
Financial Crimes, Security, and Defence Updates
Rob Stewart steps down as deputy minister of international trade to lead the creation of the new Financial Crimes Agency, announced in October. The agency targets complex money laundering, organized crime, financial scams, and recovery of illicit proceeds.
Dominic Rochon shifts from chief information officer of Canada to deputy secretary to the cabinet at the Privy Council Office, focusing on national security and intelligence. Nathalie Drouin, who has served as deputy clerk of the Privy Council and national security and intelligence adviser since January 2024, was recently appointed Canada’s ambassador to France.
David Angell, formerly the Prime Minister’s foreign and defence policy adviser, becomes associate deputy minister of foreign affairs. Kevin Brosseau, named Canada’s fentanyl czar in February 2025, retains that role while adding responsibilities as senior associate deputy minister of national defence and commissioner of the Canadian Coast Guard.
Additional Senior Appointments
Other changes include:
- Michael Vandergrift, former deputy minister of natural resources, now deputy minister of transport.
- Ted Gallivan, interim deputy national security and intelligence adviser, appointed deputy minister of immigration, refugees and citizenship.
- Harpreet S. Kochhar, current deputy minister of immigration, refugees and citizenship, becomes president of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
- Paul MacKinnon, president of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, moves to deputy minister of fisheries and oceans.
- Nancy Gardiner, head of the federal economic development agency for southern Ontario, takes on deputy minister of veterans affairs.
- Kaili Levesque, associate deputy minister of fisheries and oceans, becomes associate deputy minister of innovation, science and economic development and president of the federal economic development agency for southern Ontario.
- Talal Dakalbab, senior assistant deputy minister in Public Safety Canada’s crime prevention branch, assumes the role of commissioner of corrections, succeeding Anne Kelly, who shifts to an advisory position ahead of retirement.
- Francis Trudel, associate chief human resources officer at the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, joins Public Services and Procurement Canada as associate deputy minister.
The Prime Minister’s Office stated that these leadership changes “support the strong, effective delivery of priorities and results for Canadians, while positioning the federal government to advance Canada’s interests and respond to the rapidly shifting dynamics of the global landscape.” Prime Minister Carney extended best wishes to retiring officials, including Anne Kelly, Chris Forbes, former deputy minister of finance, and Bob Hamilton, former commissioner of the Canada Revenue Agency.
