The Right Honourable John Witney Pickersgill,
Former Clerks of the Privy Council (1952-1953)

The Right Honourable John Witney Pickersgill, P.C.
Clerk of the Privy Council and
Secretary to the Cabinet
June 1, 1952 to June 1, 1953
Appointed Member of the Queen's Privy Council
June 12, 1953

Biographical Notes

John Whitney Pickersgill served as Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet from June 1, 1952, to June 1, 1953.

Mr. Pickersgill was a graduate of the University of Manitoba and Oxford University. In 1937, he joined the Department of External Affairs as Third Secretary but was almost immediately assigned to the Prime Minister’s Office. He served in various capacities, including Assistant Private Secretary and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister, until his appointment as Clerk of the Privy Council in 1952. In 1953, he became a member of Parliament, entering Cabinet as Secretary of State for Canada, and in 1954 was named Minister of Citizenship and Immigration. He held other senior positions, including Government House Leader and Minister of Transport. After resigning his seat in the House of Commons in 1967, he was appointed President of the Canadian Transport Commission. In 1970, he was appointed Companion of the Order of Canada for his services to Canada as a public servant and former Cabinet minister. In recognition of his service, Mr. Pickersgill was bestowed the title “Right Honourable,” usually reserved for prime ministers, governors general and chief justices. He passed away on November 14, 1997.

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