PRIME MINISTER ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF NEW CLERK OF THE PRIVY COUNCIL AND SECRETARY TO THE CABINET

April 30, 2002
Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Jean Chrétien today announced the appointment of Mr. Alexander Himelfarb as Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet, effective May 13, 2002. Mr. Himelfarb will serve as the 19th Clerk of the Privy Council.

Mr. Himelfarb is currently Deputy Minister of Canadian Heritage, a position he has held since June 1999. Mr. Himelfarb, who previously served as Associate Secretary of the Treasury Board, and Head of the Social Union Task Force and Sherpa for the meeting of heads of Progressive Governments, has over 20 years of experience in the Public Service.

Mr. Cappe, who is in his fourth year as Clerk of the Privy Council, will become Special Advisor to the Prime Minister, effective May 13, 2002, prior to his taking a diplomatic assignment.

"Mr. Cappe has been a dedicated and skilful Clerk who has served me well during what have been extremely challenging times. Over the past three years, he has provided innovative and yeoman support to my Cabinet and me, particularly in the aftermath of September 11. During his tenure, he has demonstrated creativity, vision and vigour. I have every confidence that Mr. Cappe will represent Canada’s interests abroad in an outstanding fashion and further enhance Canada’s solid reputation on the international scene when he undertakes his international assignment."

Biographical notes are attached.

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PMO Press Office: (613) 957-5555

 

ALEXANDER HIMELFARB

Date of Birth: July 1947

Education
Bachelor, Sociology, University of Toronto
Masters, Sociology, University of Toronto
Doctorate, Sociology, University of Toronto

Professional Experience:
June 1999 to Present
Deputy Minister of Canadian Heritage

October 1998 - May 1999
Associate Secretary of the Treasury Board; Head, Social Union Task Force

July 1997 - October 1998
Deputy Secretary, Treasury Board Secretariat

February 1995 - July 1997
Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet, Social Development Policy, Privy Council Office

August 1994 - February 1995
Executive Director, Planning, Review and Renewal, Department of Citizenship and Immigration

December 1993 - August 1994
Executive Director, Information Management and Renewal, Department of Justice

November 1989 - December 1993
Various positions with the National Parole Board which culminated in the position of Executive Director

July 1986 - November 1989
Director General, Planning and Systems Group and Planning and Management Branch, Department of Solicitor General

December 1981 - July 1986
Chief, Victimization Research, then Director, Statistics Division, Program Branch, Department of Solicitor General

July 1972 to December 1981
Professor, Sociology, University of New Brunswick and then Chief of Evaluation, Unified Family Courts, Department of Justice (Executive Interchange)

 

MEL CAPPE

Date of birth: December 1948

Education:
B.A. (Economics), University of Toronto
M.A. (Economics), University of Western Ontario

Professional Experience:

January 1999 to Present
Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet, Privy Council Office

July 1996 - December 1998
Deputy Minister of Human Resources Development and Chairperson of the Canada Employment Insurance Commission and Deputy Minister of Labour

May 1994 - July 1996
Deputy Minister of the Environment

1990 - 1994
Senior Assistant Secretary and then, Deputy Secretary, Program Branch, Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat

1989 - 1990
Assistant Deputy Minister, Bureau of Corporate Affairs and Legislative Policy, Consumer and Corporate Affairs Canada

1986 - 1989
Assistant Deputy Minister, Policy Coordination, Consumer and Corporate Affairs Canada

1982 - 1986
Senior Deputy Director of Investigation and Research, Bureau of Competition Policy, Consumer and Corporate Affairs Canada

1981 - 1982
Chief, Analysis and Evaluation, Finance Canada

1979 - 1981
Senior Economist, Economic Programs, Finance Canada

1977 - 1979
Senior Policy Analyst, Planning Branch, Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat

1975 - 1977
Policy Analyst, Planning Branch, Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat



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