In conversation with Jocelyne Bourgon
About this event
Join us for an evening conversation between the former Clerk of the Privy Council, the Honourable Jocelyne Bourgon, and Leslie Weir, Librarian and Archivist of Canada.
Canada, Ms. Bourgon argues, is facing a “sovereignty moment.” Building on and going beyond her recent book A Public Servant’s Voice: Through the Words of the First Woman Clerk of the Privy Council for Canada?(University of Toronto Press, 2026), this conversation will look at the challenges Canada faces in this sovereignty moment and what can be done to prepare for them. Ms. Bourgon and Ms. Weir will reflect on the crucial role played by institutional memory and the importance of strengthening institutional capacity.
Jocelyne Bourgon will discuss some of the challenges, reforms and decisions that shaped Canada’s public service, as well as the importance of learning from experience and from other countries to ensure that Canada can successfully navigate through periods of significant change. It will be an opportunity to reflect on current challenges present in democratic society and the role of public institutions in responding to them effectively.
Join us for a thoughtful exchange on leadership, sovereignty and the importance of public institutions in safeguarding the modern, democratic and inclusive country Canadians have built north of the 49th?parallel.
About the author
The Honourable Jocelyne Bourgon is the founding president of Public Governance International and President Emeritus of the Canada School of Public Service. The first woman appointed Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet (1994–1999), she led the public service of Canada through major reforms and later served as Canadian Ambassador to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
An internationally recognized leader in public administration, she has published extensively on governance and leadership, authoring A New Synthesis of Public Administration (2011), The New Synthesis of Public Administration Fieldbook (2017) and A Public Servant’s Voice (2026). She is a privy councillor and a recipient of six honorary degrees and numerous honours, including the Order of Canada.
Sessions
Stay in touch
Do you have questions about this event? Email us at evenements-events@bac-lac.gc.ca.