Message to all Public Servants from Clerk Janice Charette

May 30, 2022 - Defence Stories

Caption

Janice Charette, Clerk of the Privy Council

Dear Colleagues,

It is with great humility that I assume the role of Clerk of the Privy Council, and I thank the Prime Minister for his continued trust and confidence in me.

First and foremost, I would like to acknowledge my friend and colleague Ian Shugart, for his dedication and leadership. Ian has been a highly respected leader and a source of great wisdom. One of the highlights of Ian’s leadership is the Call to Action on Anti-Racism, Equity, and Inclusion in the Federal Public Service that he launched in January 2021. This work will be an enduring contribution and will make us a better public service. I want to thank him for his immense contributions and for his selfless dedication. I know you all join me in wishing Ian health and success in his retirement after over 40 years in service to Canada.

Taking on the role of Clerk of the Privy Council and Head of the Public Service is a privilege and an honour. I do not take the responsibilities of this position lightly. The cascading crises over the last two years have demanded much of the public service. And you rose to the challenge. You did your best and delivered at a time when Canadians needed you most. This past year as Interim Clerk, I have witnessed first-hand the innovation and adaptability public servants have demonstrated in a time like no other in our lifetimes. I know that has involved a lot of hard work, stress and sacrifice. Please let me take this opportunity to thank you, public servants across the country, for all you have accomplished in these unprecedented times.

Looking forward, I am excited about the opportunity that we have as public servants to continue to contribute – to make a difference in the lives of Canadians. We will need to draw on all of the talent available across all of our departments and agencies, and to draw on the best of the new tools and techniques that were developed over the past two remarkable years, in order to create a new hybrid work model that will best deliver on our mandate to Canadians.

I invite you all to join me in this opportunity to continue our efforts to make Canada’s public service more agile, more inclusive and better equipped to be able to deliver with excellence. I am certain that renewal can occur only in a healthy and respectful work environment that promotes and supports good mental health. And our renewal journey must include continued progress on the work to tackle systemic racism and barriers to a fully inclusive workforce. Over my tenure as Clerk, I am committed to building a public service that is truly reflective of the Canadians we serve. 

Change and uncertainty have been the hallmarks of the past two years; the context we operate in will continue to evolve. Rest assured that as your Clerk, I am committed to working with you to tackle the challenges we are facing and to ensure Canadians will continue to place their trust in us to provide world-class programs and services.

I could not be prouder to lead the best public service in the world!

Janice Charette

Clerk of the Privy Council

Page details

Date modified: