On March 4, 2026, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a long‑anticipated series of changes across the senior ranks of Canada’s public service. The shuffle fills several key Deputy Minister positions left vacant by recent retirements and internal movements and follows an earlier round of major changes in December 2025 that reshaped leadership at Finance, Defence, Natural Resources, and Justice. This latest wave signals continued restructuring as the Prime Minister and the Clerk of the Privy Council, Michael Sabia, align senior public service leadership with the government’s policy and management priorities.
The shuffle is significant, introducing several changes across the senior public service, including at International Trade, Foreign Affairs, and Transport. Notably, the package includes a high-profile appointment from outside the public service: Glenn Purves, formerly the Global Head of Macro Research at BlackRock Investment Institute, who now joins the federal government in a senior leadership role.
A major theme emerging from this shuffle is movement across the foreign policy and national security portfolios. Changes at Global Affairs, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, and within the Privy Council Office reflect the government’s focus on strengthening international partnerships, navigating increasing geopolitical uncertainty, and enhancing Canada’s global presence. Meanwhile, senior deputy ministers remain in place at Treasury Board, Public Services and Procurement, and Innovation, Science and Economic Development.
Major new appointments are:
- Glenn Purves, Global Head of Macro Research, BlackRock Investment Institute, becomes Deputy Minister of International Trade.
- Dominic Rochon, Chief Information Officer of Canada, Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, becomes Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet (National Security and Intelligence), Privy Council Office.
- David Morrison, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, becomes Senior Diplomatic and International Affairs Advisor to the Prime Minister, as well as Personal Representative of the Prime Minister (Sherpa) for the G7 and G20 Summits, Privy Council Office.
- Arun Thangaraj, Deputy Minister of Transport, becomes Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.
- Michael Vandergrift, former Deputy Minister of Natural Resources, becomes Deputy Minister of Transport.
- Ted Gallivan, Interim Deputy National Security and Intelligence Advisor to the Prime Minister, becomes Deputy Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship.
Other moves include:
- Cynthia Termorshuizen, Deputy Minister for the G7 Summit and Personal Representative of the Prime Minister (Sherpa) for the G7 and G20 Summits, Privy Council Office, becomes Deputy Minister of International Development.
- Paul MacKinnon, President of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, becomes Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Oceans.
- Rob Stewart, Deputy Minister of International Trade, becomes Deputy Minister responsible to lead the creation of the new Financial Crimes Agency.
- Kevin Brosseau, Commissioner of Canada’s Fight Against Fentanyl, becomes Senior Associate Deputy Minister of National Defence and, concurrently, Commissioner of the Canadian Coast Guard, and will continue serving as Commissioner in Canada’s Fight Against Fentanyl.
- Kaili Levesque, Associate Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, becomes Associate Deputy Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, and President of the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, and will continue to support the Secretary of State (Nature).
As departments adjust their mandates and internal structures to reflect these appointments, organizations working with the federal government can expect shifts in direction, engagement styles, and policy execution in the coming weeks.
If these moves have an impact on your business decision-making, connect with our government relations experts (including former Deputy Ministers) at info@mcmillanvantage.com.
Team Vantage is here to help you navigate this fast-changing environment and position your company for success.
