Wayne Wouters, Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet
Canada’s Economic Competitiveness: The Challenges Ahead
Mr. Wayne G. Wouters was appointed Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet by the Prime Minister on July 1st, 2009.
From December 2004 to June 30, 2009, Mr. Wouters was Secretary of the Treasury Board. Prior to this, Mr. Wouters was Deputy Minister, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) and Chairperson, Canada Employment Insurance Commission and previous to that, Deputy Minister, Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC) and Deputy Minister of Labour.
Mr. Wouters was born in Edam, Saskatchewan. He attended the University of Saskatchewan where he received his Bachelor of Commerce (Economics). After graduation, he studied at Queen's University, earning his Master's Degree in Economics. In 2012, Mr. Wouters received an Honourary Doctorate of Law from the University of Saskatchewan. He is also the recipient of the 2012 Gordon Draper Award, bestowed on him by the Commonwealth Association Public Administration Management, for his life-long contributions to the advancement of public administration management.
In 1975, Mr. Wouters started his career as a Lecturer in Economics at the University of Saskatchewan. He began his public sector career in 1977 with the Government of Saskatchewan where he held several positions between 1977 and 1982, culminating in the position of Director, Energy Policy Branch, Department of Mineral Resources (Saskatchewan).
In 1982, Mr. Wouters joined the federal Department of Energy, Mines and Resources as the Director of Industry Analysis. In 1986, he became Deputy Director General, Project and Fiscal Analysis and in 1989, he was appointed Director General, Financial and Market Analysis.
In 1990, Mr. Wouters accepted a position as Director, Economic Development Policy Branch with the Department of Finance, becoming General Director in 1993.
In 1994, Mr. Wouters joined the Privy Council Office (PCO). From March until September of that year, Mr. Wouters was the head of the federal Task Force on the Newfoundland Economy. Upon completion of those duties in September 1994, he became the Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet (Program Review), where he oversaw preparation of the expenditure reduction plan that was part of the 1995 federal Budget. In December 1994, Mr. Wouters was appointed Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet (Plans and Consultation).
Mr. Wouters remained with the Privy Council Office until September 1997 when he was appointed Deputy Minister of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (Canada) where he served until 2002.
Mr. Wouters has been a committed and longstanding volunteer, chairing the Government of Canada Charitable Workplace Campaign in 2004 and the City of Ottawa United Way Campaign in 2007. He was presented with the Community Builder of the Year Award by the United Way in 2012.
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