Michael Wernick’s distinguished 38 year career as one of the key leaders of Canada’s world class federal public service culminated in serving from 2016 to 2019 as the 23rd Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to Cabinet.
With 28 years as an executive in the federal public service, including 17 years in the community of Deputy Ministers, and three as Clerk, Michael is one of Canada’s most experienced and influential public sector leaders. He appeared frequently at Parliamentary Committees, participated in dozens of intergovernmental and international meetings, and spoke at many conferences. Michael worked closely with three Prime Ministers and seven Ministers and attended close to 300 meetings of Cabinet and its committees. He was the key public servant at Privy Council Office in three transitions of Prime Minister.
In October 2021 UBC Press released Wernick’s book “Governing Canada: A Guide to the Tradecraft of Politics” and Michael undertook an extensive series of media interviews, podcasts and webinars.
Since leaving the federal public service, Wernick has provided advisory services and mentorship to emerging leaders and a new generation of students. He is a Senior Strategic Advisor to MNP Inc. From 2019 to 2022, he was a Fellow and Adjunct Professor of the Carleton University School of Public Policy and Administration. In July 2022 he will take up a new role as the Jarislowsky Chair in Public Management at the University of Ottawa.