PM Carney appoints former Hydro-Québec CEO Michael Sabia as top civil servant

Key Takeaways:

• Michael Sabia will become Canada’s top civil servant on July 7, taking over as Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet. His appointment places him at the centre of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s push for economic reform and public sector modernization.
• Sabia brings extensive leadership experience from both the public and private sectors, including previous roles as head of Hydro-Québec, the Caisse de dépôt, and Deputy Minister of Finance. He is seen as a trusted and strategic figure across political lines.
• Outgoing Clerk John Hannaford is retiring after nearly 30 years in public service, having played key roles in trade, energy, and foreign affairs. He will be appointed to the King’s Privy Council for Canada in recognition of his contributions.

The Whole Story:

Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced his intention to appoint Michael Sabia as Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet, effective July 7.

Sabia, a veteran public servant and business leader, will succeed John Hannaford, who is retiring after nearly 30 years in government. The Clerk serves as the federal government’s top civil servant, advising the prime minister and Cabinet while overseeing the operations and integrity of Canada’s public service.

Sabia’s appointment comes amid a period of economic reform and public sector realignment under the new Liberal government. His return to the federal civil service follows a high-profile career that has bridged both public institutions and private enterprise. He most recently served as President and CEO of Hydro-Québec and previously led the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, one of the country’s largest institutional investors. He was also Canada’s Deputy Minister of Finance under the Trudeau government and earlier held senior roles at Bell Canada Enterprises, Canadian National Railway, and the Privy Council Office. He is currently the Director of the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy at the University of Toronto.

Sabia has long been seen as a trusted figure across political lines. His experience managing large organizations and complex policy portfolios made him a key player during past transitions and fiscal planning efforts. His appointment as Clerk places him at the centre of the Carney government’s efforts to accelerate infrastructure delivery, attract private investment, and modernize the public service.

“As Canada’s new government moves with focus and determination to build the strongest economy in the G7, bring down costs for Canadians, and keep communities safe, Mr. Sabia will help us deliver on this mandate and our government’s disciplined focus on core priorities,” Prime Minister Carney said in a statement.

The Prime Minister also recognized the contributions of outgoing Clerk John Hannaford, who joined the federal public service in 1995 and held senior roles including Deputy Minister of Natural Resources, Deputy Minister of International Trade, and Canada’s Ambassador to Norway. As Clerk, Hannaford guided the public service through a change in government, and supported initiatives ranging from border security to the introduction of a middle-class tax cut. He will be appointed to the King’s Privy Council for Canada ahead of his retirement.

The role of the Clerk of the Privy Council is non-partisan and central to Canada’s system of government. In addition to advising the prime minister, the Clerk ensures the effective management of the federal public service and upholds ethical and professional standards across departments.