Prime Minister Mark Carney continues to reshape the upper echelons of the federal public service through strategic role creations and expansions, aiming to align government operations with national priorities.
Key Diplomatic and Trade Shifts
Glenn Purves returns to government service as deputy minister of international trade. Purves, who departed the public sector in January 2025 for a position as an economist at the BlackRock Investment Institute, previously held senior roles at Finance Canada, including assistant deputy minister of economic development from 2021 to 2023 and director general of fiscal policy earlier. His experience also spans the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat and the International Monetary Fund.
David Morrison transitions from deputy minister of foreign affairs to senior diplomatic and international affairs adviser in the Prime Minister’s Office. Arun Thangaraj steps into Morrison’s former role at Global Affairs Canada from his position as deputy minister of transport. Morrison will lead negotiations ahead of G7 and G20 summits, operating from the Privy Council Office.
Cynthia Termorshuizen moves from G7 and G20 sherpa to deputy minister of international development. She previously served as deputy ambassador to China from 2015 to 2018 and associate deputy minister of foreign affairs.
Security and Financial Crime Focus
Rob Stewart departs as deputy minister of international trade to head the new Financial Crimes Agency as its deputy minister. Launched in October, the agency targets money laundering, organized crime, financial scams, and asset recovery.
Dominic Rochon shifts from chief information officer to deputy secretary to the cabinet for national security and intelligence at the Privy Council Office. Nathalie Drouin, former deputy clerk of the Privy Council and national security adviser since January 2024, now serves as Canada’s ambassador to France.
David Angell advances from foreign and defence policy adviser to associate deputy minister of foreign affairs. Kevin Brosseau, appointed fentanyl czar in February 2025, retains that role while assuming duties as senior associate deputy minister of national defence and commissioner of the Canadian Coast Guard.
Additional Leadership Changes
Other notable appointments include:
- Michael Vandergrift, former deputy minister of natural resources, now deputy minister of transport.
- Ted Gallivan, interim deputy national security adviser, becomes deputy minister of immigration, refugees, and citizenship.
- Harpreet S. Kochhar, current deputy minister of immigration, refugees, and citizenship, takes over as president of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
- Paul MacKinnon leaves the Canadian Food Inspection Agency presidency for deputy minister of fisheries and oceans.
- Nancy Gardiner, head of the federal economic development agency for southern Ontario, assumes deputy minister of veterans affairs.
- Kaili Levesque moves from associate deputy minister of fisheries and oceans to associate deputy minister of innovation, science, and economic development, and president of the southern Ontario economic development agency.
- Talal Dakalbab transitions from senior assistant deputy minister in Public Safety Canada’s crime prevention branch to commissioner of corrections, succeeding Anne Kelly, who shifts to an advisory role ahead of retirement.
- Francis Trudel relocates from associate chief human resources officer at the Treasury Board Secretariat to associate deputy minister at Public Services and Procurement Canada.
The Prime Minister’s Office states that these leadership adjustments bolster effective delivery of key priorities, advance Canadian interests, and address evolving global challenges.
Prime Minister Carney extends best wishes to retirees Anne Kelly, former Finance deputy minister Chris Forbes, and ex-Canada Revenue Agency commissioner Bob Hamilton.
