Carney hires Hydro‑Québec CEO Michael Sabia to head federal bureaucracy
Prime Minister Mark Carney has recruited Hydro‑Québec CEO Michael Sabia to take over as the country's top bureaucrat to advance his ambitious agenda.
Mr. Sabia had served as deputy minister of finance before he left government to serve as head of the Quebec pension plan and later Hydro‑Québec.
The current Clerk of the Privy Council John Hannaford announced Wednesday that he will leaving the government as the head of the public service and top adviser to the Prime Minister.
Mr. Carney had sought out Mr. Sabia because he needed a PCO clerk with business experience, who can push through his agenda that includes major nation-building projects, a revamped military, major housing initiatives and cost-cutting expenditures for the public service.
'Prime Minister Carney asked me to take on this role at time when the country is facing some unprecedented challenges,' Mr. Sabia said in a statement.
'In that context, I am joining the federal government to tackle this challenge head on.'
The Prime Minister noted that Mr. Sabia brings over three decades of expertise across the public and private sectors. Aside from running Hydro‑Québec, Mr. Sabia headed the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ), Bell Canada Enterprises and held senior roles at Canadian National Railway, and in the Privy Council Office.
'As Canada's new government builds the strongest economy in the G7, Mr. Sabia's leadership will be key to this mission,' Mr. Carney said, saying he will help the government 'advance nation-building projects, catalyze enormous private investment to drive growth, and deliver the change Canadians want and deserve.'
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