February 5, 2001
Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Jean Chrétien today announced the creation of the Office of Critical Infrastructure Protection and Emergency Preparedness. The Prime Minister also announced the appointment of Margaret Purdy, currently Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet (Security and Intelligence), Privy Council Office, as Associate Deputy Minister of National Defence, whose functions will include responsibility for the Office of Critical Infrastructure Protection and Emergency Preparedness.

Canada’s critical infrastructure -- which includes key components of the energy and utilities, communications, services, transportation, safety and government sectors -- is increasingly dependent on information technology. This new organization will develop and implement a comprehensive approach to protecting Canada’s critical infrastructure. It will also be the government’s primary agency for ensuring national civil emergency preparedness, encompassing the existing functions of Emergency Preparedness Canada.

"The protection of Canada’s critical infrastructure from the risks of failure or disruption is essential to assuring the health, safety, security and economic well-being of Canadians," said the Prime Minister. "I am confident that these new measures will enable the Government of Canada to provide national leadership on this important issue and ensure our preparedness to deal with emergencies. We will also be able to build strong partnerships to ensure the protection of our shared North American infrastructure."

The Prime Minister noted that while the Minister of National Defence will provide national leadership on this issue, and be responsible for the organization, other Ministers, especially the Solicitor General of Canada, who is the lead Minister for public safety, will collaborate closely to ensure a coherent and comprehensive approach. The new Office will also actively engage the provinces, territories and municipalities, as well as the private sector and other countries and organizations, in this important work.

Margaret Purdy has extensive knowledge of and experience in the security and intelligence field, having held progressively more senior positions with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service and the Department of the Solicitor General. She joined the Privy Council Office in October 1995 as Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet, Security and Intelligence, and was appointed Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet (Security and Intelligence) in November 1998.

This appointment is effective February 12, 2001. Biographical notes on Ms. Purdy are attached.

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PMO Press Office: (613) 957-5555

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Date of Birth: January 1949

Education: 
Bachelor of Journalism, Carleton University, Ottawa
Bachelor of Education, Dalhousie University, Halifax
National Defence College, Kingston (1992-1993)

Professional Experience:

November 1998 to Present
Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet, Security and Intelligence, Privy Council Office

October 1995 to November 1998
Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet, Security and Intelligence, Privy Council Office

August 1993 to September 1995
Deputy Director General and then Director General, Counter-Terrorism Branch, Canadian Security Intelligence Service

August 1990 - April 1992
Director, Security Operations, Solicitor General Canada

October 1988 - August 1990
Senior Advisor to the Inspector General of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, Solicitor General Canada

July 1985 - October 1988
Criminal Intelligence Analyst, National Security Offences Task Force, Royal Canadian Mounted Police

November 1982 - July 1985
Various assignments with the Security Systems Branch, Royal Canadian Mounted Police

December 1981 - October 1982
Public Information Officer, Department of Social Services, Government of Nova Scotia

August 1980 - September 1981
Public Information Officer, Ministry of Finance, Government of British Columbia

December 1975 - August 1980
Various positions with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police

1971 - 1975
Various positions with Carleton University, The Ottawa Citizen and the Province of Nova Scotia