Jocelyne Bourgon
Encyclopedia
Jocelyne Bourgon, PC
, OC
is a Canadian public servant.
Born in Papineauville, Quebec
, she studied in science (Biology) at the University of Montreal and then management at the University of Ottawa
. She joined the public service of Canada as a summer student with the Department of Transport in 1974. She was rapidly promoted to the level of Deputy Minister. She served in several Departments including Consumer and Corporate Affairs (Industry), Cabinet Secretary for Federal-Provincial Relations, President of Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), and Transport Canada.
As Deputy Minister she led major legislative reforms; organized a First Ministers Conference on Canada-USA free trade negotiations; led the Constitutional negotiations; and prepared a major reform leading to the privatization of rail and airports.
In 1994, she was appointed Clerk of the Privy Council
and Secretary to the Canadian Cabinet becoming the first woman and so far the only to exercise these functions in Canada. To date, no other women have exercised an equivalent position (Secretary General of the Government) in any other G-7 countries. In this capacity she led some of the most ambitious public sector reforms in Canada since the early 1940s. She oversaw the reduction of the public service by 47,000 jobs, she introduced measures to enhance the policy capacity and the renewal of the Public Service (La Releve).
Bourgon served as President of the Canadian Centre for Management Development from 1999 to 2003 leading to the creation of the Canada School of Public Service where she was named President emeritus
. She served as Ambassador to the OECD until 2007. She is Distinguished Fellow at The Centre for International Governance Innovation
(CIGI) and visiting professor at the University of Waterloo
where she is conducting several research projects to advance good governance and the field of public administration. She is advising several countries about public service reforms, most recently France, UK, Ireland, Brazil etc.
She is an active international speaker ,participating in various International events, conferences to advance public service reforms, most recently at the OECD, Brazil (World Bank ), IPAA(Dublin), IPA(Sydney), London School of Economics(LSE), Institute for Government ( London), In etc. Her keynotes and lectures are frequently published.
She is active on various international boards and committees including President of CEPA at the UN, former President of CAPAM, Board memberUK Civil Service College. Institute of government, Singapore Civil Service College etc.
She received numerous awards and recognition including the Order of Canada, the Outstanding Achievement Award, six Honorary degrees from Canadian universities. In recognition of her contribution to her country she was summoned as member of the Queen Privy Council and granted the title of Honourable.
Queen's Privy Council for Canada
The Queen's Privy Council for Canada ), sometimes called Her Majesty's Privy Council for Canada or simply the Privy Council, is the full group of personal consultants to the monarch of Canada on state and constitutional affairs, though responsible government requires the sovereign or her viceroy,...
, OC
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
is a Canadian public servant.
Born in Papineauville, Quebec
Papineauville, Quebec
Papineauville is a town and municipality in the Outaouais region of Quebec, Canada. It is the seat of the Papineau Regional County Municipality and part of Canada's National Capital Region...
, she studied in science (Biology) at the University of Montreal and then management at the University of Ottawa
University of Ottawa
The University of Ottawa is a bilingual, research-intensive, non-denominational, international university in Ottawa, Ontario. It is one of the oldest universities in Canada. It was originally established as the College of Bytown in 1848 by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate...
. She joined the public service of Canada as a summer student with the Department of Transport in 1974. She was rapidly promoted to the level of Deputy Minister. She served in several Departments including Consumer and Corporate Affairs (Industry), Cabinet Secretary for Federal-Provincial Relations, President of Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), and Transport Canada.
As Deputy Minister she led major legislative reforms; organized a First Ministers Conference on Canada-USA free trade negotiations; led the Constitutional negotiations; and prepared a major reform leading to the privatization of rail and airports.
In 1994, she was appointed Clerk of the Privy Council
Clerk of the Privy Council (Canada)
The Clerk of the Privy Council is the senior civil servant in the Canadian government. The Title and Office is in fact "Clerk of the Privy Council and the Secretary to the Cabinet"...
and Secretary to the Canadian Cabinet becoming the first woman and so far the only to exercise these functions in Canada. To date, no other women have exercised an equivalent position (Secretary General of the Government) in any other G-7 countries. In this capacity she led some of the most ambitious public sector reforms in Canada since the early 1940s. She oversaw the reduction of the public service by 47,000 jobs, she introduced measures to enhance the policy capacity and the renewal of the Public Service (La Releve).
Bourgon served as President of the Canadian Centre for Management Development from 1999 to 2003 leading to the creation of the Canada School of Public Service where she was named President emeritus
Emeritus
Emeritus is a post-positive adjective that is used to designate a retired professor, bishop, or other professional or as a title. The female equivalent emerita is also sometimes used.-History:...
. She served as Ambassador to the OECD until 2007. She is Distinguished Fellow at The Centre for International Governance Innovation
Centre for International Governance Innovation
The Centre for International Governance Innovation is an independent, non-partisan think tank on global governance. Led by experienced practitioners and academics, CIGI supports research, forms networks, advances policy debate and generates ideas for multilateral governance improvements...
(CIGI) and visiting professor at the University of Waterloo
University of Waterloo
The University of Waterloo is a comprehensive public university in the city of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. The school was founded in 1957 by Drs. Gerry Hagey and Ira G. Needles, and has since grown to an institution of more than 30,000 students, faculty, and staff...
where she is conducting several research projects to advance good governance and the field of public administration. She is advising several countries about public service reforms, most recently France, UK, Ireland, Brazil etc.
She is an active international speaker ,participating in various International events, conferences to advance public service reforms, most recently at the OECD, Brazil (World Bank ), IPAA(Dublin), IPA(Sydney), London School of Economics(LSE), Institute for Government ( London), In etc. Her keynotes and lectures are frequently published.
She is active on various international boards and committees including President of CEPA at the UN, former President of CAPAM, Board memberUK Civil Service College. Institute of government, Singapore Civil Service College etc.
She received numerous awards and recognition including the Order of Canada, the Outstanding Achievement Award, six Honorary degrees from Canadian universities. In recognition of her contribution to her country she was summoned as member of the Queen Privy Council and granted the title of Honourable.