10.02°C Vancouver

May 30, 2023 8:14 PM - The Canadian Press

John Hannaford named new clerk of the Privy Council, as Janice Charette retires

Share On
john-hannaford-named-new-clerk-of-the-privy-council-as-janice-charette-retires
Hannaford was also a deputy minister of international trade and a foreign policy adviser to Trudeau, and served as Canada's ambassador to Norway from 2009 to 2012. (Photo: The Canadian Press)

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has appointed a new head of the federal public service.

John Hannaford, who is currently the deputy minister of natural resources, will become clerk of the Privy Council next month.

Janice Charette, the current clerk, is set to retire June 24 after nearly 40 years in the public service, including as Canada's envoy to Britain.

Hannaford was also a deputy minister of international trade and a foreign policy adviser to Trudeau, and served as Canada's ambassador to Norway from 2009 to 2012.

Trudeau says in a statement that Hannaford brings a wealth of experience and a strong reputation to the role.

The clerk of the Privy Council Office is tasked with advising the prime minister and cabinet on managing the country from a non-partisan perspective.

Latest news

BCNov 05, 2026

BC Election Final Count Begins Friday, Recounts Ordered in Two Ridings

Elections BC will begin the final count of last month’s provincial election on Friday. Although the BC Conservatives secured a majority government by winning 63 of the 93 seats, the margins between leading candidates remain fewer than 200 votes in four ridings. Nearly 150,000 mail-in ballots will be counted during the final counting process, with the final results expected to be announced by November 10. Elections BC has ordered recounts in two ridings where the margin between candidates is fewer than 100 votes. These include Burnaby South-Metrotown, where the NDP candidate is leading by jus
IndiaNov 05, 2026

High Court Directs Punjab Government to Submit LPU Violence Report to Centre Within 72 Hours

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the Punjab government to submit its report to the Centre within 72 hours, a month after violent protests took place at Lovely Professional University (LPU). The Centre will now decide whether the National Investigation Agency (NIA) should investigate the offence registered by Punjab Police under the IT Act. The direction came after Punjab Police reportedly found material during its ongoing investigation indicating a possible link to cyberterrorism. Scheduling the next hearing for November 17, the court emphasized that, given the sensitivity of the
BCNov 05, 2026

Vancouver Rents End 34-Month Annual Decline, Rise 0.2% in October

The nearly three-year decline in apartment and condo rents in Vancouver has come to an end. According to the latest report by Rentals.ca and Urbanation, average asking rents in Vancouver increased by 0.2 per cent year-over-year in October, marking the first annual increase in 34 months. Rents reached an average of $2,735. Similarly, rents in Toronto, Canada's second-most expensive rental market, rose by 1.6 per cent to $2,590 after declining for 32 consecutive months. On a month-over-month basis, Toronto recorded the highest rental increase among Canada's six largest markets, with rents rising
storm-threatens-b-c-s-coastal-regions-with-heavy-rainfall-and-strong-wind-warnings
BCNov 05, 2026

Storm Threatens B.C.’s Coastal Regions, With Heavy Rainfall and Strong Wind Warnings

A powerful storm is expected to hit British Columbia’s coastal regions, bringing heavy rainfall of up to 120 millimetres in some areas. Environment Canada has issued heavy rainfall warnings for western and inland parts of Vancouver Island, where rainfall could reach 10 millimetres per hour for several consecutive hours. According to the weather agency, the heaviest rainfall is expected in northern areas near Tofino, including Port Alice and Zeballos. Heavy rain is also forecast for the Central Coast, including Bella Coola. Meanwhile, strong winds reaching speeds of up to 110 km/h are expecte
AlbertaNov 05, 2026

Alberta Government Concerned Over U.S. Midterm Election Results

Following the Democrats’ sweeping victory in the U.S. midterm elections, experts and political leaders in Alberta are assessing the potential impact on Canada, particularly the province. American voters also voiced strong opposition to political parties manipulating electoral maps. Alberta’s NDP has compared the issue to the ongoing controversy over the province’s proposed new electoral boundaries. Premier Danielle Smith said the U.S. midterm results reinforced her government’s approach to dealing with tariffs. Her government has emphasized diplomacy and negotiations to strengthen rela

Related News