2.3 – Getting set up – Key relationships in the government of Canada

Your Executive team identified the following key people for you to meet.

Minister’s Office

The following are key contacts in the Minister’s Office (commonly referred to as MINO). They often attend briefings with the Minister, issue manage within MINO, and review all critical documents prior to obtaining sign off from the Minister.

Currently, the Deputy Head meets with the Chief of Staff to the Minister on Monday mornings.

Chief of Staff to the Minister –      [Redacted]     

     [Redacted]     

Other Regional Development Agency Deputy Heads

There are six other regional development agencies in Canada. RDA Heads meet every other Wednesday, currently convened by PrairiesCan’s DM. Next meeting: November 9.

The following are the Heads of the other Regional Development Agencies.

Dylan Jones, President, Pacific Economic Development Canada (PacifiCan)

• On August 6, 2021, Mr. Dylan Jones became the President of the newly formed Pacific Economic Development Canada. He was also the Interim President of Prairies Economic Development Canada until your appointment. Previously, he was appointed Deputy Minister for Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) on June 20th, 2016.
• Mr. Jones was President and CEO of the Canada West Foundation from 2012 to 2016. Prior to that, he served in various roles in the federal and Saskatchewan governments, including Deputy Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs for Saskatchewan.
• Mr. Jones’ academic credentials include degrees from McMaster and the University of British Columbia and a masters degree in law from Oxford. He is a Wesbrook Scholar and is the recipient of many prestigious awards, including the Premier’s Award for Excellence (Leadership).

Paula Isaak, President, Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) and Associate Deputy Minister, Crown Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada

• Paula Isaak became president of CanNor on October 9, 2018. Prior to her appointment to CanNor, she was an employee of Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) for over 20 years, where she was the Assistant Deputy Minister of Education and Social Development Programs and Partnerships from 2015 to 2018.
• In March 2021, Ms. Isaak also became Associate Deputy Minister at Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada.
• Paula has worked in a variety of program areas including land claim and self-government negotiations in the Yukon and NWT, economic development, strategic policy, intergovernmental affairs and natural resource and environmental management.
• Minister Vandal is also responsible for CanNor.

Francis McGuire, President, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)

• Francis McGuire assumed the position of President of ACOA on June 12, 2017. Mr. McGuire has served both in government and in the private sector. After stepping aside as President and CEO of Major Drilling Group International Inc., where he served from 2000 to 2015, Mr. McGuire provided advice to companies and individuals on strategy, leadership and organizational design.
• Mr. McGuire will be retiring effective November 26. Catherine Blewett, current DM of Economic Development within ISED will be taking over the role in addition to her current responsibilities.

Catherine Blewett, Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Innovation, Science, and Economic Development (ISED); Incoming President, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)

• Catherine Blewett will be taking on the role of President of ACOA effective November 26, 2022.
• In addition to this upcoming responsibility, Ms. Blewett became the Deputy Minister of Economic Development at ISED on June 20, 2022. As DM of Economic Development, Ms. Blewett is charged with supporting several of ISED’s ministers in their roles – specifically Minister Ng for economic development, Minister Hutchings for rural economic development, and Minister Boissonnault for tourism.
• She has previously held positions of Deputy Clerk of the Privy Council and Associate Secretary to the Cabinet, Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, as well as other various positions within the Government of Nova Scotia.

Manon Brassard, President, Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED)

• Manon Brassard was appointed as President of CED and took office for CED on June 27, 2016. From 2010 until 2016, Ms. Brassard held the positions of Assistant Deputy Minister at Citizenship and Immigration Canada (Corporate Services), at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (Programs) and at the Treasury Board Secretariat (Compensation and Labour Relations). Ms. Brassard previously worked at the Agency, where she was Vice-President of Operations from 2003 to 2010.

Valerie Gideon, President, Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario (FedNor); Associate Deputy Minister of Indigenous Services

• Valerie Gideon was appointed President of FedNor on October 12, 2022. She also serves as the Associate Deputy Minister of Indigenous Services. Since 2012, Ms. Gideon held several senior leadership positions in the public service, including Assistant Deputy Minister at Health Canada (Regional Operations), and Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, First Nations and Inuit Health Branch at Indigenous Services Canada. She is a proud member of the Mi’kmaq First Nation of Gesgapegiag.

Nancy Gardiner, President, Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev)

• Nancy Gardiner was appointed President of FedDev on September 1, 2021. Ms. Gardiner previously served as Assistant Deputy Minister of Programs and Operations at Women and Gender Equality Canada. She has also held several senior leadership positions in the public service including at Service Canada and Employment and Social Development Canada.