Senior government ranks shuffled

Prime minister Jean Chrétien has announced a series of changes to the senior ranks of the federal public service, with many appointments impacting key S&T and innovation files. The appointments, effective April 22 to June 16, include the creation of a new position at the National Research Council (NRC) and news of a restructuring and name change for the Canadian Centre for Management Development (CCMD).

Peter Harder, DM at Industry Canada, has been appointed DM of foreign affairs, replacing Gaetan Lavertu who is being given an “international assignment”. Harder is replaced at Industry by Jean-Claude Villard, president of the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp and formerly a senior executive with Lavalin, SNC Lavalin International and SNC-Lavalin Capital.

Alan Nymark is being moved from DM at Environment Canada to become commissioner of Customs and Revenue. He will be replaced at Environment by Suzanne Hurtubise, ambassador and permanent Canadian representative to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development.

CCMD president Jocelyne Bourgon has been appointed special advisor to the minister of Foreign Affairs. She has also been named president emeritus of CCMD, which will become the Canada School of Public Service. CCMD’s new president is Janice Cochrane, currently DM at Public Works and Government Services Canada.

Peter Harrison, who served briefly as DM of the Department Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) after a three-year stint as DM at Natural Resources Canada, moves to a newly created DM-level position at Industry Canada. Harrison will be a senior research fellow (oceans) with the NRC, responsible for Canada’s R&D capacity for oceans and coastal zones and promoting ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Replacing Harrison at DFO is Larry Murray, who currently serves as DM at Veterans Affairs.

Paul Thibault is appointed president of the Canadian International Development Agency, replacing Leonard Good who becomes senior advisor to the Privy Council Office. FMI: www.pm.gc.ca.