IRCC Minister Transition Binder 2023: Senior Executive Biographies

Deputy Minister - Christiane Fox

Christiane Fox was appointed Deputy Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in July 2022. She is also the Deputy Minister Champion of the Federal Youth Network.

Prior to her appointment, Christiane was the Deputy Minister of Indigenous Services Canada, a position she held since September 2020. From November 2019 to September 2020, she was the Deputy Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and, from June 2017 to November 2019, the Deputy Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Youth. She also held several positions at the Privy Council Office, including Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet, Communications and Consultations; Director of Operations, Policy in the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Relations Secretariat; and Director General of Communications.

Christiane started her career as a communications advisor at Industry Canada (Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada), where she worked in communications and in science policy. She also spent a year with the Competition Policy Review Secretariat as Director of Communications and Consultations.

Christiane has a B.A. in Mass Communications and Psychology from Carleton University and is a graduate of the University of Ottawa’s Master’s Certificate Program in Public Administration.

Associate Deputy Minister - Scott Harris

Mr. Harris was appointed Associate Deputy Minister of IRCC in July 2022.

Prior to this appointment, he was the Vice-President of the Intelligence and Enforcement Branch at Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) since June 2020. At CBSA, Scott led delivery of the Intelligence and Enforcement Branch’s 8 national programs, worked closely with IRCC on the Canada–United States Safe Third Country Agreement and led CBSA’s response following the collapse of Afghanistan and the war in Ukraine.

Scott also previously held the position of Regional Deputy Commissioner of Ontario with the Correctional Service of Canada, where he was responsible for ensuring public safety by strategically leading correctional operations across Ontario and Nunavut, overseeing federal institutions and parole offices responsible for more than 6,500 federally sentenced offenders, and working with a strong network of community partners and stakeholders.

Scott began his public service career with the Correctional Service of Canada in 1995 as a Correctional Officer. He also held a number of other positions, including Case Management Officer, Parole Officer and Project Officer. He later moved into various management positions, including Director of Restorative Justice, Director General of Citizen Engagement, Associate Assistant Commissioner of Correctional Operations and Programs and Assistant Commissioner of Communications and Engagement. In addition, he has provided intergovernmental and international leadership for the federal government’s strategic advancement of restorative justice for more than 20 years.

Scott graduated from the University of Alberta with a bachelor’s degree in criminology and from Queen’s University with a master’s degree with a concentration in restorative justice.

Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategic and Program Policy & Strategic Immigration Review - Louise Baird

Louise was appointed the position of Senior Assistant Deputy Minister for the Strategic Immigration Review at IRCC in 2022, and for Strategic Policy and Programs in 2023. 

She is a strategic leader with extensive experience in both the private and the public sectors in operations, issues management and policy. She is skilled at negotiation, diplomatic relationship building, and leading teams in fast-paced, high-pressure environments.

Previous to this role, she held the role of Assistant Deputy Minister, Intergovernmental Affairs at Privy Council Office and prior to joining PCO she spent several years in a variety of senior leadership roles in Canada’s federal industry department.

Chief Digital Officer & Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Digital Strategy, Services and Innovation Sector - Jason Choueiri

Jason Choueiri was appointed Chief Digital Officer and Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Digital Strategy, Services and Innovation Sector in April 2022 to lead the third phase of Digital Platform Modernization. Previously, Jason served as the Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer of the Immigration and Refugee Board where he oversaw the delivery of a range of strategic and operational services to the Board.

Previous to that, Jason served as Director General for Transformation Planning, Design and Oversight at Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), where he founded ESDC’s Acceleration Hub and led the development and implementation of multi-year service improvement strategies and service design practices. He also served as the Director General, Strategic Directions where he developed the long-term vision for the modernization of Canada’s three largest statutory programs (Employment Insurance, Canada Pension Plan, and Old Age Security). Jason has held several senior roles overseeing large programs and client-service operations at Shared Services Canada, National Defence, and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada.

Jason has a Master’s degree in Business Administration, as well as a Bachelor of Commerce, Specialization in Management of Information Systems from the University of Ottawa. He is a recipient of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in recognition of his contributions to Canada.

Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Operations Sector - Daniel Mills

Daniel Mills was appointed Assistant Deputy Minister of Operations at IRCC in April 2020. He is also IRCC’s Champion for Values and Ethics.

An employee of IRCC since 2005, Mr. Mills has held numerous management roles over the years, including Assistant Deputy Minister, Corporate Management and Chief Financial Officer. He has also served as Director of Accounting Operations, Director General of Financial Operations, as well as Director General of Financial Management and Deputy Chief Financial Officer.

Mr. Mills has served as a public servant with the federal government since 1994. Aside from his responsibilities at IRCC, he has occupied several positions at the Department of Natural Resources Canada, the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages and the Public Service Labour Relations Board.

Daniel Mills is a chartered professional accountant and holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a specialization in accounting from the University of Sherbrooke. He is also a graduate of the Government of Canada’s Career Assignment Program (the “Direxion” Educational Component).

Assistant Deputy Minister, Operations Sector - Michele Kingsley

Michèle Kingsley was appointed to the position of Assistant Deputy Minister, Operations Sector at IRCC in October 2022.

Michèle is a seasoned executive with vast policy, program, and central agency experience, as well as a history of strong leadership. As a leader, she cares for her people and is great at successfully establishing collaborative partnerships with stakeholders and counterparts. Previous to this role, Michèle was the Director General, Permanent Economic Immigration Branch and before that was the Director General, Citizenship and Passport Program at IRCC.

Michèle holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Ottawa.

Assistant Deputy Minister, Afghanistan Sector - Jennifer Macintyre

Jennifer was appointed as the Assistant Deputy Minister in the Afghanistan Sector at IRCC in November 2021, and is responsible for advancing Canada’s commitment to welcome at least 40,000 Afghan nationals to Canada.

Jennifer was previously the Director of Operations for the Climate Secretariat at the Privy Council Office, responsible for leading horizontal collaboration across government to implement the government’s climate agenda. She has also served as Canada’s Ambassador for Climate Change.

Jennifer is a career diplomat and has held various executive positions at Global Affairs Canada, including Director General & Corporate Secretary and Director for Europe and Eurasia. She has also served as the Ambassador of Canada to Switzerland and in Washington, D.C. as the Chief of Staff to the Ambassador.

Jennifer holds a Bachelor of Journalism from Carleton University and a Master in Public Administration from Queen’s University.

Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategic and Program Policy - Soyoung Park

Soyoung Park was appointed to the role of ADM, Strategic and Program Policy Sector, in May 2022.

Soyoung is a senior executive with extensive operational, technology, and international experience. In her previous role as ADM, Proof of Vaccine Credentials, Soyoung led the Government of Canada’s efforts on vaccine certification, including significant coordination across federal and provincial governments, the Canadian air sector and international partners.  As a Foreign Service officer, she served at three of Canada’s largest operational offices (New Delhi, Beijing and Damascus). Soyoung was also IRCC’s Chief Information Officer for several years, where she successfully implemented our core business system and other systems we use today, such as e-applications, GCDocs, and biometrics.

From 2017 to 2019, Soyoung gained international experience as the Deputy High Commissioner (India) and Deputy Ambassador (Nepal, Bhutan). More recently, Soyoung was Director General of the Passport Modernization Project Office where she led multi-departmental initiatives to modernize passport services and led the IRCC business benefits framework, and completed an Interchange assignment with CHEO leading a back office transformation.

Soyoung has a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Alberta and is a recipient of Public Service Award for Excellence in Innovation and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in recognition of her contributions to Canada.

Chief Human Resources Officer & Assistant Deputy Minister, Corporate Services Sector - Marie-Flore Baptiste

Marie-Flore Baptiste was appointed to the positions of Chief Human Resources Officer and Assistant Deputy Minister, Corporate Services Sector, on March 6, 2023. She has been with the Government of Canada for over 25 years and has been Acting Chief Human Resources Officer and Assistant Deputy Minister, Corporate Services since December 2022. Beginning in 2021, she served as Director General, Strategic Initiatives and Horizontal Integration, and prior to that as Director General, Enterprise Project and Programme Management at IRCC.

Before joining IRCC she spent many years in various departments, primarily Canadian Heritage, National Defense, Public Services and Procurement Canada and many others. She served as a Director General, Corporate Services at Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), National Defence and other departments. Over the years, Marie-Flore has provided executive leadership in the development of leading-edge national strategies, and led departmental committees associated with projects, planning and delivery of initiatives designed to leverage workforce and workplace effectiveness.

Marie-Flore fosters diversity and ensures the inclusion of all. For example, she served as Champion of the Black Employee Network at IRCC. She has been recognized with a Deputy Minister Commendation – Innovation Award and received the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in recognition of her volunteer work.

Chief Financial Officer & Assistant Deputy Minister, Finance, Security, And Administration Sector - Nathalie Manseau

Nathalie Manseau was appointed the position of Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Deputy Minister of the Finance, Security and Administration sector at IRCC. She previously worked at Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) where she was a Director General in the Financial Management Advisory Services. At ESDC, Nathalie led a team to develop and implement a risk mitigation strategy and spending management measures.

As a public servant for 23 years, Nathalie has led several financial management functions while holding different executive roles at Canadian Heritage, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, Environment Canada, and Fisheries and Oceans Canada. From 2019 to 2022, Nathalie was also the Chair of the Deputy Chief Financial Officers Council.

Chief Information Officer & Assistant Deputy Minister, Digital Strategy, Services and Innvovation Sector - Darcy Pierlot

Darcy Pierlot was appointed to the position of Chief Information Officer and Assistant Deputy Minister, Digital Strategy, Services and Innovation, on September 15, 2022.

Darcy is a professional engineer and a passionate advocate of the Public Service. He is a strategic thinker with broad operational experience and a technical background and has held a number of technical and leadership roles within the Public Service. He previously worked at the Communications Security Establishment (CSE) (2006-2022) before joining IRCC. There he served as Director General where he focused on critical technological and security elements underpinning CSE’s transition to a hybrid workplace, and most recently as a Senior Advisor to the Chief of the CSE, where he developed the Future of Work strategy. In addition, Darcy was seconded to the Privy Council Office (2019 to 2021) as Chief Security Officer and Executive Director to the Offices of the Prime Minister and Privy Council.

Assistant Deputy Minister, Settlement and Integration Sector - Catherine Scott

Catherine Scott was appointed Assistant Deputy Minister, Settlement and Integration at IRCC in March 2022. Catherine joined IRCC in September 2019 as Director General of the Refugee Affairs Branch, and more recently was Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategic and Program Policy, beginning in March 2021.

Prior to this, she spent a decade working at Employment and Social Development Canada on both labour market and social policy issues. During this time, she led a significant renewal of the federal homelessness program as part of the National Housing Strategy. Catherine led extensive consultations to develop the first Government of Canada social innovation and social finance strategy. She also led the Foreign Credential Recognition Program and launched the first federal initiative to support capacity-building in Black Canadian communities.

A federal public servant since 1999, Catherine has also worked for the Commissioner of Official Languages, the Privy Council Office and the Department of Canadian Heritage.

Catherine holds a Bachelor of Arts in French and International Studies from Glendon College, York University and an M.A. in International Relations from Université Laval. She is also a graduate of the Government of Canada’s Career Assignment Program (Direxion) and the Ivey Senior Public Sector Leader Program.

Chief Executive Officer & Chair Person of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada - Manon Brassard

Manon Brassard was appointed Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada effective July 23, 2023.

Prior to her appointment, Ms. Brassard held the position of President of the Canada Economic Development Agency for Quebec Regions from 2016. From 2010 until 2016, Ms. Brassard held the positions of Assistant Deputy Minister at Citizenship and Immigration Canada, at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and at the Treasury Board Secretariat, after serving in a number of executive roles in various public sector organizations.

Ms. Brassard began her public service career with the Board in 1989, where she served in a number of roles, including Senior Legal Adviser and Director General of the Policy, Planning and Research Branch.

Ms. Brassard has a Bachelor of Laws from the Université of Laval and was called to the Bar of Quebec in 1984.

Executive Director & Senior General Counsel, Legal Services Unit - Caroline Fobes

Caroline Fobes was appointed Executive Director and Senior General Counsel of the IRCC Legal Services Unit in 2016. The Legal Services Unit is composed of 40 lawyers and paralegals who, in consultation with Justice colleagues in Ottawa and litigation teams across the country, provide all of the day-to-day legal advice to the Department, including advice on departmental operations, development of policies and new legislation, and the conduct of litigation before the courts.

Ms. Fobes began her career at the Department of Justice at Solicitor General Legal, moved to DOJ headquarters as Special Counsel to the Assistant Deputy Attorney General (Criminal Law), and then returned to Public Safety Legal where she spent several years, including as Deputy Executive Director and General Counsel. She holds a Bachelor of Laws from Dalhousie University and is a member of the Law Society of Ontario.

Director General of Communications - Murray Jones

Murray Jones was appointed as the Director General of Communications at IRCC in 2021, after holding a variety of communications roles at the Privy Council Office, Transport Canada, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada, and Public Works and Government Services Canada.

Murray’s leadership style is guided by his dedication to modern, proactive communications and a deep appreciation of the potential of each member of his team. He has been recognized for his ability to foster innovation, build high-performing multidisciplinary teams, and deliver on department and government priorities through strong issues management.