The Honourable John Hannaford, P.C.

The Honourable John Hannaford is a former Canadian public servant with three a long time of expertise in worldwide affairs, legislation, and public administration, most just lately serving as Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet.

Mr. Hannaford joined the federal public service on the Department of Foreign Affairs in 1995 as a newly minted lawyer, engaged on points starting from maritime jurisdictions and environmental legislation to commerce coverage. Over the following 20 years, he represented the Government of Canada on high-profile worldwide and home information, from free commerce negotiations to international and defence coverage. This included senior management roles similar to Foreign and Defence Policy Adviser to the Prime Minister, Deputy Minister of International Trade, and Deputy Minister of Natural Resources. From 2009 to 2012, he additionally served overseas as Canada’s Ambassador to Norway.

Mr. Hannaford was named the 25^th Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet in June 2023. In this function, his management helped steer Canada’s response to rising commerce and safety challenges and supported the federal government in implementing signature priorities, together with a middle-class tax minimize, stronger border safety measures, and laws aimed toward constructing one Canadian economic system. As Head of the Public Service, he additionally championed a renewed dialogue on values and ethics to information federal workers in serving Canadians in an more and more advanced surroundings, whereas advancing efforts to modernize the general public service, strengthen accountability, and construct institutional resilience within the face of speedy technological and geopolitical change.

Mr. Hannaford retired from the general public service in July 2025. In recognition of his contributions, he was appointed a member of the King’s Privy Council for Canada.

Mr. Hannaford holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in History from Queen’s University, a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Toronto, and a Master of Science in worldwide relations from the London School of Economics. He and his spouse, Anne, have two grownup youngsters.

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