Wayne G. Wouters is a Canadian public servant and Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet

Clerk of the Privy Council (Canada)

The Clerk of the Privy Council is the senior civil servant in the Canadian government. The Title and Office is in fact "Clerk of the Privy Council and the Secretary to the Cabinet"...

. Canada’s most senior civil servant.

Wouters received his Bachelor of Commerce degree in Economics from the University of Saskatchewan

University of Saskatchewan

The University of Saskatchewan is a Canadian public research university, founded in 1907, and located on the east side of the South Saskatchewan River in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. An "Act to establish and incorporate a University for the Province of Saskatchewan" was passed by the...

 and his Master of Arts in Economics from Queen’s University.

Formerly a lecturer in political science and economics at the University of Saskatchewan, in 1977 he joined the Government of Saskatchewan rising to the position of Director of Energy Policy Branch, Department of Mineral Resources.

In 1982 he joined the Federal government and held various positions in the Department of Energy, Mines and Resources

Natural Resources Canada

The Department of Natural Resources , operating under the FIP applied title Natural Resources Canada , is the ministry of the government of Canada responsible for natural resources, energy, minerals and metals, forests, earth sciences, mapping and remote sensing...

 and Department of Finance

Department of Finance (Canada)

-Function:Department of Finance Canada operates under the Minister of Finance. Its purpose is to ensure a healthy Canadian economy by developing polices of sound economic management and providing expert advice to the government....

. By 1994, he had been appointed to senior positions within the Privy Council Office

Privy Council Office (Canada)

In Canada the Privy Council Office is the secretariat of the federal cabinet, providing officially non-partisan advice and support to the Prime Minister and leadership, coordination, and support to the departments and agencies of the government...

 including, Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet (Program Review), and Head, Task Force on the Newfoundland Economy and Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet (Plans and Consultation).

In 1997, he was appointed Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Oceans

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Fisheries and Oceans Canada, frequently referred to as DFO , is the department within the government of Canada that is responsible for developing and implementing policies and programs in support of Canada's economic, ecological and scientific interests in oceans and inland waters...

 and in 2002 became Deputy Minister of Department of Human Resources Development and Deputy Minister of Labour

Human Resources and Skills Development Canada

The Department of Human Resources and Skills Development , operating under the FIP applied title Human Resources and Skills Development Canada , is the department of the Government of Canada responsible for developing, managing and delivering a variety of social programs and services...

. In 2003 he was also given the added responsibility of Chairperson, Canada Employment Insurance Commission. In 2004, he was appointed Secretary of the Treasury Board

Treasury Board

The Treasury Board is the Government of Canada's only statutory Cabinet committee and is responsible for the federal civil service much of the operation of the Canadian government. Among its specific duties are negotiating labour agreements with the public service unions and serving as Comptroller...

.

On May 7, 2009, it was announced that he would be appointed Clerk of the Privy Council and secretary to the Cabinet to replace the retiring Kevin Lynch

Kevin G. Lynch

Kevin G. Lynch, is a Canadian economist and former Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet, Canada's most senior civil servant....

. His appointment became effective July 1, 2009.