Latest news with #PrivyCouncilOffice
Ottawa Citizen
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Ottawa Citizen
MacDonald: The ideal setting for the prime minister's new home
Article content In the long sorry tale of finding a home for our prime minister, many ideas have surfaced, some more worthy of consideration than others. Andrew MacDougall's recent suggestion in the Ottawa Citizen that Rideau Hall would be just right for the job has sparked a debate we should snuff out here and now. Article content It is perhaps typical of Canada that neither the representative of our head of state (the Governor General), nor our head of government (the prime minister), has a residence purpose-built to their roles. But there is nothing particularly unusual or wrong about that. Like both Rideau Hall and 24 Sussex Drive, 10 Downing Street was built as a private residence. Nor is it likely that it's what anyone would choose if starting from scratch. Article content Article content Article content Indeed, even Buckingham Palace started out life as a private residence, and the familiar façade we see today was only one of the later, many additions and improvements made over the course of the last two centuries. Article content The same holds true for Rideau Hall, which was built originally as a private residence for Thomas McKay, but which has served as the vice-regal residence for every single Governor General of Canada since Confederation. Few at first would have thought it a suitable residence for the sovereign's representative but over the intervening decades it has seen additions and improvements with a view to making it just that, an appropriate venue for affairs of state, such as are performed by the Governor General. Article content The prime minister, on the other hand, has no need for a similar venue. Nor does he need the kind of office space available at Rideau Hall for the Governor General's staff and other vice-regal functionaries. He already has significantly more office space in the Privy Council Office building and in the Parliament Buildings. Article content Article content Article content What the prime minister does need, though, is a home, one that is safe and secure. And appropriate for the role, for while the prime minister does not preside over events such as Order of Canada investitures requiring venues like the ballroom at Rideau Hall, he should be able to host his international peers in a style of which Canadians can be proud. I've been to a reception at 24 Sussex. It doesn't fit the bill. Article content And while I'm no expert, I can well believe it wouldn't be anyone's first choice from a security perspective. But then would Rideau Hall be any better? I'm surprised it hasn't happened yet given how long the prime minister has been living at Rideau Cottage, but does anyone think the grounds of Rideau Hall would remain open to the public if the prime minister moved in for good? (And does anyone remember the outcry the last time the grounds were closed to the public for 'security reasons?')
Cision Canada
20-06-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Prime Minister Carney announces changes in the senior ranks of the public service
OTTAWA, ON, /CNW/ - Canada's new government has a mandate for change. A stronger Canada depends on a strong and effective public service – one that is focused on execution, delivery, and impact. Today, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, announced the following changes in the senior ranks of the public service: Jean-François Tremblay, currently Deputy Minister of Environment and Climate Change, becomes Senior Official at the Privy Council Office, effective June 30, 2025, while he prepares for his upcoming role as Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Canada to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Mollie Johnson, currently Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet (Plans and Consultations) and, concurrently, Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet (Clean Growth), Privy Council Office, becomes Deputy Minister of Environment and Climate Change, effective June 30, 2025. Nancy Hamzawi, currently Executive Vice-President of the Public Health Agency of Canada, becomes President of the Public Health Agency of Canada, effective June 20, 2025. Alison O'Leary, currently Assistant Deputy Minister, Federal-Provincial Relations and Social Policy, Department of Finance Canada, becomes Associate Deputy Minister of Finance, effective June 30, 2025. The Prime Minister also announced that Kaili Levesque, Associate Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, will provide direct support to the Secretary of State (Nature), and that Mark Schaan, Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet (Artificial Intelligence), Privy Council Office, will provide direct support to the Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation. The Prime Minister took the opportunity to congratulate Heather Jeffrey, former President of the Public Health Agency of Canada, on her recent retirement from the public service. He thanked her and Suzy McDonald, Associate Deputy Minister of Finance, for their dedication and service to Canadians throughout their careers and wished them all the best in the future. This document is also available at
West Australian
18-06-2025
- General
- West Australian
King Charles III: ‘Operation Menai Bridge' death rehearsals underway as monarch fights cancer battle
In the most concerning sign yet that King Charles may be fighting a losing cancer battle, troops of Buckingham Palace staff and advisers have begun rehearsing preparations for his death in an operation codenamed 'Menai Bridge'. King Charles III, like his mother Queen Elizabeth, who reigned for 70 years, has no intention of standing down as ruling monarch amid his health concerns and has stated he intends to remain on the throne until he dies. But Operation Menai Bridge, which will be enacted in the hours, days and weeks following the King's death, is under constant review, with palace insiders saying there have already been rehearsals in case the 76-year-old dies suddenly. Multiple bodies associated with the monarchy and UK government have reportedly been involved in developing the plans, much like Operation London Bridge, which was triggered following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022. Operation London Bridge was present for decades ahead of QEII's death, and the planning and lessons learned have been passed on as the military-style operation pre-empting King Charles' death ramps up. 'Even the king said in his acceptance that he will take this role for as long as life allows him to ... it's got to be in the back of your mind, and from the police, we've got to start planning again for the future.' Royal Protection Officer Simon Morgan, 52, who served in the Queen's security detail, told Radaronline . Decision-making in the moments after King Charles' passing is crucial, with certain protocols dictating the timeline of events. 'These are rehearsals no one wants to do, but everyone has to be ready. Every detail is planned – from who calls whom to how flags are lowered,' an insider said. Crucially, Prince William will immediately ascend to take his father's role as King, with a coronation to follow as soon as preparations can be finalised following the King's state burial. Radaronline says the king's private secretary will be the first to notify the British PM and the Privy Council Office. From there, a series of calls – known as the 'call cascade' – will inform cabinet secretaries, ministers, and senior civil servants. Once the cascade is complete, flags across Whitehall will be lowered to half-mast and a statement will be issued by Buckingham Palace. As with Queen Elizabeth's death, the day Charles dies will be referred to as D-Day, followed by D+1, D+2 and so on. Prince William, 42, will then be referred to as King, and his wife Catherine, Princess of Wales, 43, will become Queen. Charles' wife Camilla, 77, who currently holds the title Queen Consort, will assume the role of Queen Dowager – a tradition that echoes historic royal customs. The Menai Bridge codename is derived from a suspension bridge connecting the island of Anglesey to mainland Wales, which is an acknowledgement of King Charles's lengthy stint as the Prince of Wales. The name follows a royal tradition of using bridge-related codenames for death plans. The practice of using bridge-related codenames for royal deaths has been used for decades to avoid the information being leaked. Aides once relied on switchboard operators, and the codenames were used to ensure the information was protected as it passed between sources.
Perth Now
18-06-2025
- General
- Perth Now
Palace's secret King Charles death plans revealed
In the most concerning sign yet that King Charles may be fighting a losing cancer battle, troops of Buckingham Palace staff and advisers have begun rehearsing preparations for his death in an operation codenamed 'Menai Bridge'. King Charles III, like his mother Queen Elizabeth, who reigned for 70 years, has no intention of standing down as ruling monarch amid his health concerns and has stated he intends to remain on the throne until he dies. But Operation Menai Bridge, which will be enacted in the hours, days and weeks following the King's death, is under constant review, with palace insiders saying there have already been rehearsals in case the 76-year-old dies suddenly. Multiple bodies associated with the monarchy and UK government have reportedly been involved in developing the plans, much like Operation London Bridge, which was triggered following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022. Operation London Bridge was present for decades ahead of QEII's death, and the planning and lessons learned have been passed on as the military-style operation pre-empting King Charles' death ramps up. 'Even the king said in his acceptance that he will take this role for as long as life allows him to ... it's got to be in the back of your mind, and from the police, we've got to start planning again for the future.' Royal Protection Officer Simon Morgan, 52, who served in the Queen's security detail, told Radaronline. Decision-making in the moments after King Charles' passing is crucial, with certain protocols dictating the timeline of events. 'These are rehearsals no one wants to do, but everyone has to be ready. Every detail is planned – from who calls whom to how flags are lowered,' an insider said. Crucially, Prince William will immediately ascend to take his father's role as King, with a coronation to follow as soon as preparations can be finalised following the King's state burial. Radaronline says the king's private secretary will be the first to notify the British PM and the Privy Council Office. From there, a series of calls – known as the 'call cascade' – will inform cabinet secretaries, ministers, and senior civil servants. Once the cascade is complete, flags across Whitehall will be lowered to half-mast and a statement will be issued by Buckingham Palace. As with Queen Elizabeth's death, the day Charles dies will be referred to as D-Day, followed by D+1, D+2 and so on. Prince William, 42, will then be referred to as King, and his wife Catherine, Princess of Wales, 43, will become Queen. Charles' wife Camilla, 77, who currently holds the title Queen Consort, will assume the role of Queen Dowager – a tradition that echoes historic royal customs. The Menai Bridge codename is derived from a suspension bridge connecting the island of Anglesey to mainland Wales, which is an acknowledgement of King Charles's lengthy stint as the Prince of Wales. The name follows a royal tradition of using bridge-related codenames for death plans. The practice of using bridge-related codenames for royal deaths has been used for decades to avoid the information being leaked. Aides once relied on switchboard operators, and the codenames were used to ensure the information was protected as it passed between sources.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Sabia, veteran of public and private sectors, to head Carney's Privy Council
OTTAWA — Prime Minister Mark Carney is tapping Michael Sabia, a veteran of the public and private sector, to head up the Privy Council Office in Ottawa. Sabia's tenure as clerk of the Privy Council and secretary to cabinet will begin July 7. He replaces John Hannaford, who is retiring. The Privy Council offers non-partisan policy advice to the prime minister and cabinet and is responsible for managing the broader public service. Sabia has served as president and CEO of Hydro-Québec since 2023. He said in a statement released by the utility Wednesday that he was answering Carney's call to serve as the prime minister pushes for a rapid transformation of Canada's government and economy. "Prime Minister Carney asked me to take on this role at a time when the country is facing some unprecedented challenges," he said. "In that context, I am joining the federal government to tackle these challenges head-on." Sabia started his career in the public sector and spent years at the Privy Council. He was Canada's deputy finance minister throughout the pandemic years and the early recovery period. He served as the head of Quebec's public pension plan for over a decade before that. He is a former CEO of Bell Canada Enterprises and former CFO of Canadian National Railway. Sabia was named an officer of the Order of Canada in 2017. 'As Canada's new government moves with focus and determination to build the strongest economy in the G7, bring down costs for Canadians and keep communities safe, Mr. Sabia will help us deliver on this mandate and our government's disciplined focus on core priorities," Carney said in a media statement. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 11, 2025. The Canadian Press Sign in to access your portfolio
