News August 20, 2013
Honourable Jocelyne Bourgon awarded the 2013 IPAC Vanier Medal Montreal, August 20, 2013 – The Institute of Public Administration of Canada (IPAC) is proud to announce that the Honourable Jocelyne Bourgon is the recipient of the 2013 IPAC Vanier Medal. The Vanier Medal is IPAC’s highest form of recognition. It was created in 1962 in honour of Governor General Georges-P. Vanier, and is awarded annually to an individual who has shown distinctive leadership or made significant contributions in the field of public administration and to public service in Canada. Born in Papineauville, Quebec, Madame Bourgon studied science (Biology) at the University of Montreal and then management at the University of Ottawa. In 1974, she joined the Public Service of Canada, where she organized several First Ministers' conferences on the Canadian economy and played a key role in the organization of the First Ministers' meetings leading to the Canada-U.S. Free Trade Agreement. After being appointed to the rank of deputy minister in 1989, Ms. Bourgon was the official in charge of constitutional negotiations, which led to the Charlottetown Accord in 1992. She also served as President of the Canadian International Development Agency and Deputy Minister of Consumer and Corporate Affairs. Madame Bourgon served as Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet from March 28, 1994, to January 17, 1999. She became the 17th Clerk and the first woman to hold this position. From 1999 to 2003 Ms. Bourgon served as President of the Canadian Centre for Management Development where her actions led to the creation of the Canada School of Public Service. In recognition of her work, she was named President Emeritus. In 2003, Ms. Bourgon was appointed Canada's Ambassador to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. She has received numerous awards and recognition including the Order of Canada, the Outstanding Achievement Award, and six honorary degrees from Canadian universities. In recognition of her contribution to her country she was summoned as a member of the Queen Privy Council. IPAC president George Ross noted that Madame Bourgon “truly personifies the qualities and attributes that IPAC recognizes with this prestigious award. Her contributions to Canadian public service have been outstanding and have had a lasting and positive influence on the lives of many Canadians. She continues to be a Global leader in the fields of governance and public administration.” Founded in 1947, IPAC is a dynamic association of public servants, academics, and individuals dedicated to excellence in the field of public administration. It is a member based organization, with 18 regional groups across Canada, which creates effective knowledge networks and leading public administration research in Canada. IPAC is also a major player in exporting successful Canadian public sector expertise around the world. For more information, please contact: The Institute of Public Administration of Canada Robert P. Taylor, Chief Executive Officer 416 924 8787, ext. 230 rtaylor@ipac.ca - www.ipac.ca