OTTAWA — Prime Minister Mark Carney is reshaping the top ranks of Canada’s federal public service as the government heads into the new year, announcing a series of deputy minister appointments and moves.
In a key change, Quebec Court of Appeal Justice Marie-Josée Hogue has been named deputy minister of justice and deputy attorney general of Canada. Hogue most recently led Ottawa’s public inquiry into foreign interference in federal elections, which reported earlier this year that there was little evidence of electoral subversion.
Chris Forbes will leave his role as deputy minister of finance to take on a senior position at the Privy Council Office.
Carney has appointed Nick Leswick, currently a policy director at the Bank of Canada, to succeed Forbes as deputy minister of finance.
Christiane Fox, who has held multiple senior roles supporting cabinet, will become deputy minister of national defence. The move comes as Carney pushes to rapidly increase defence spending to meet Canada’s NATO commitments.
The changes signal Carney’s intent to realign senior leadership across key departments as his government sets priorities for the year ahead.