John Hannaford

John Hannaford is currently the Personal Representative of the Prime Minister to the European Union. Between 2023 and 2025, he served as the 25th Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet, and in this capacity was the head of the country’s largest institution, the Public Service of Canada. He has been Ambassador to the Kingdom of Norway, Deputy Minister of International Trade and Natural Resources and Foreign Defence Policy Adviser to Prime Ministers Harper and Trudeau. Over the course of his career, he directly advised three Prime Ministers and have gained substantial experience in leading large organisations, policy development, geopolitics, trade, international security and crisis management.

After graduating from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours, First Class) in history, he earned a Master of Science in International Relations at the London School of Economics, before completing a Bachelor of Laws at the University of Toronto.

In recognition of his contributions to public service, John was appointed to the King’s Privy Council on July 4, 2025.

Updated June, 2026