John Hannaford (Canadian civil servant)
John Hannaford | |
|---|---|
Hannaford in 2025 | |
| 25th Clerk of the Privy Council Secretary to the Cabinet | |
| In office June 24, 2023 – July 7, 2025 | |
| Prime Minister | |
| Preceded by | Janice Charette |
| Succeeded by | Michael Sabia |
| Personal representative of the prime minister to the European Union | |
| Assumed office October 1, 2025 | |
| Prime Minister | Mark Carney |
| Preceded by | Stéphane Dion |
| Personal details | |
| Alma mater | |
John Hannaford is a Canadian civil servant who served as the 25th clerk of the Privy Council and secretary to the Cabinet from June 24, 2023, to July 7, 2025. In October 2025, he was appointed by Prime Minister Mark Carney as his personal representative to the European Union.[1][2]
Education
Hannaford completed a bachelor of arts in history at Queen's University. He later completed a master of science, focusing on international relations, at the London School of Economics. He also completed a bachelor of laws at the University of Toronto.[3]
Career
His previous roles include:[3]
- 2025–present: Personal representative of the prime minister to the European Union
- 2023–2025: Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet
- 2022–2023: Deputy minister of natural resources
- 2019–2022: Deputy minister of international trade
- 2015–2019: Foreign and defence policy advisor to the prime minister, Privy Council Office
- 2012–2015: Assistant secretary to the Cabinet (foreign and defence policy), Privy Council Office
- 2009–2012: Ambassador of Canada to Norway
- 2007–2009: Director general and deputy legal advisor, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
- 2005–2007: Director, United Nations, Human Rights and Economic Law Division, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
- 2003–2005: Deputy director, Trade Law Bureau, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
- 2001–2003: Deputy director, Investment Trade Policy Division, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
Hannaford was also involved at a high level in the renegotiation of NAFTA, and he was at one time a foreign and defense policy adviser to Justin Trudeau.[4]
Hannaford was appointed as clerk following the retirement of Janice Charette on June 24, 2023.[5]
Hannaford became a member of the King's Privy Council for Canada on July 4, 2025, shortly before the end of his tenure as clerk.[6]
References
- ^ "Prime Minister Carney appoints the Honourable John Hannaford as Personal Representative to the European Union". Office of the Prime Minister. Ottawa, Ontario, Canada: Government of Canada. October 1, 2025. Archived from the original on February 16, 2026. Retrieved February 16, 2026.
- ^ Robertson, Dylan (October 1, 2025). "Carney names new EU 'personal representative' to replace Dion in France". Global News. The Canadian Press. Archived from the original on February 16, 2026. Retrieved February 16, 2026.
- ^ a b "John Hannaford". Office of the Prime Minister. Ottawa, Ontario, Canada: Government of Canada. May 30, 2023. Archived from the original on February 16, 2026. Retrieved February 16, 2026.
- ^ Austen, Ian (June 3, 2023). "He's the Biggest Power Broker in Canada Whom You've Never Heard Of". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved February 16, 2026.
- ^ "Former clerks". Privy Council Office. Government of Canada. October 9, 2025. Archived from the original on February 16, 2026. Retrieved February 16, 2026.
- ^ "King's Privy Council for Canada". Privy Council Office. Government of Canada. January 27, 2026. Archived from the original on February 16, 2026. Retrieved February 16, 2026.