Senior leadership team

Christine Hogan - Deputy Minister

Christine Hogan was appointed Deputy Minister of Environment and Climate Change, on September 30, 2019.

Prior to her appointment, Ms. Hogan served as Executive Director for Canada, Ireland and the Caribbean, at the World Bank Group in Washington, from November 2016 to September 2019. From January 2015 to October 2016, Ms. Hogan was Deputy Minister of International Trade. Between 2010 and 2015, Ms. Hogan served in the Privy Council Office, where she was initially the Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet and then Foreign and Defence Policy Advisor to the Prime Minister.

Throughout her career of more than 30 years, Ms. Hogan has contributed to a diverse set of public-policy issues ranging from international relations and development to trade policy, science and technology, and environment and energy. She has held a variety of positions within the Government of Canada, including Vice President of Strategic Policy and Performance at the Canadian International Development Agency (now Global Affairs Canada) and Director of International Affairs at Environment Canada. Ms. Hogan has also been a visiting executive with Encana and an Advisor to the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme, in Nairobi, Kenya.

She holds a Bachelor of Public Administration (Honours) from Carleton University and is a Yale University World Fellow.

Dr. Martine Dubuc - Associate Deputy Minister

Dr. Martine Dubuc was appointed Associate Deputy Minister of Environment and Climate Change on January 23, 2017. In May 2015, Dr. Dubuc was re-elected as Secretary General for the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) Regional Commission for the Americas. She was appointed as the Government of Canada Delegate to the OIE in April 2013. In September 2012, she was appointed Canada’s Chief Food Safety Officer. Dr. Dubuc was named Vice President of the Science Branch with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) in November 2008. Prior to joining the CFIA, Dr. Dubuc worked at senior levels in the Quebec government with responsibility for the animal health and food safety system at the provincial level where she was also actively engaged in national food safety efforts as part of the Federal/Provincial/Territorial Assistant Deputy Ministers group. In 2006, she was awarded the Prix Mérite for her contribution to the provincial public service.

Dr. Dubuc holds a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Montreal.

Dominique Blanchard - Assistant Deputy Minister, Public and Indigenous Affairs and Ministerial Services Branch

Dominique Blanchard joined Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) in May 2017 as the Assistant Deputy Minister of Public and Indigenous Affairs and Ministerial Services. Prior to her arrival at ECCC, Ms. Blanchard served from 2013-2017 as the Director of Operations in the Economic and Regional Development Policy Secretariat at the Privy Council Office. Between 2009 and 2013, Ms. Blanchard served as Chief of Staff to the Deputy Minister at Transport Canada then as Director General of Surface and Intermodal Security. She has also worked at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

Diane Campbell - Assistant Deputy Minister, Meteorological Service of Canada

Ms. Campbell was appointed Assistant Deputy Minister (ADM) of Meteorological Service of Canada (MSC) on August 3, 2019 after serving as the Associate ADM for several months.

Ms. Campbell spent the previous 10 years as the Director General of Prediction Services at Canada’s MSC where she oversaw the delivery of 24/7 weather, air quality, ice and environmental prediction forecast services to Canadians. Ms. Campbell has worked for over 30 years in the Canadian Public Service in diverse science-based programs including environmental toxicology studies; energy research and development; environmental assessment activities; and earth science research management.

Caroline Caza - Regional Director General, West and North Regions

Ms. Caza was appointed Regional Director General, West and North, in April 2014.

Prior to her appointment, Ms. Caza was the Executive Director for Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Environmental Assessment and Marine Programs. Since 2000, when Ms. Caza joined the federal government, she has also worked on global environmental issues, international development, biodiversity conservation, and clean-up of contaminated sites.

Ms. Caza obtained a Master of Science degree from the University of Toronto and a Doctorate of Philosophy from the University of British Columbia in the field of ecology.

Patricia Fuller - Canadian Ambassador for Climate Change

Ms. Fuller was appointed Canada’s Ambassador for Climate Change on June 5, 2018 for a term of three years.

She served abroad as Ambassador of Canada to Uruguay from 2004 to 2007 and as Ambassador to Chile from 2012 to 2015. Previous international assignments also included Mexico and Guatemala.

In Ottawa, Ms. Fuller has specialized in trade and economic policy, as well as climate change and energy. At Canada’s foreign ministry, she served as Deputy Director for Trade Remedies (1997-1999), Director of the Softwood Lumber Division (2003-2004), Chief Economist (2007-2010), Director General of Planning and Reporting (2010-2012) and Director General of Economic Development (2017-2018).

She was seconded to Natural Resources Canada from 2015 to 2017, to head up the Office of Energy Efficiency. She also managed environment and climate change files earlier in her career while working at the Privy Council Office where she supported the Cabinet Committee on Economic and Regional Development Policy from 2000 to 2003.
Ms. Fuller holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Economics and Political Studies from Queen’s University, and a Master of Science with distinction from the London School of Economics.

Hilary Geller - Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategic Policy Branch

Ms. Geller joined Environment and Climate Change Canada in June 2017 as the Assistant Deputy Minister of the Strategic Policy Branch, which plays a leadership role in a number of areas, including strategic policy development, data, results and delivery, intergovernmental affairs, economic analysis, sustainable development, regional analysis, outreach and program delivery.

Previously, Ms. Geller worked at Health Canada, where she was the Assistant Deputy Minister of the Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch from May 2011 to June 2017. Ms. Geller has a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Toronto, and a Master’s in Business Administration from York University.

Michael Goffin - Regional Director General, Ontario Region

Mr. Goffin was appointed Regional Director General for Environment and Climate Change Canada in Ontario in 2010. Mr. Goffin was chief negotiator of the Canada-United States Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement and the Canada-Ontario Agreement on Great Lakes Water Quality and Ecosystem Health and is responsible for the delivery of the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem Initiative. He joined Environment Canada in 1981.

Mr. Goffin received his undergraduate training in Environmental Studies and a Master of Science degree in Geomorphology both from the University of Toronto.

Nancy Hamzawi - Assistant Deputy Minister, Science and Technology Branch

Ms. Hamzawi became the Assistant Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Branch in October 2018. Ms. Hamzawi joined Environment and Climate Change Canada in 2004 and has held positions in international affairs, ecosystem and biodiversity policy, corporate secretariat and environmental protection operations.

She has also held positions at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Natural Resources Canada and the former Canadian International Development Agency, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Industry Canada, as well as the National Research Council. Ms. Hamzawi holds a Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering and Bachelors degrees in Chemical Engineering and Biochemistry.

Matt Jones - Assistant Deputy Minister, Pan-Canadian Framework Implementation Office

Mr. Jones has focused on environmental issues throughout his career, including in the private sector, with Transport Canada and multiple positions at Environment and Climate Change Canada. Past experience includes negotiating international environmental agreements on climate change, air pollution and biodiversity, and playing a central role in the development and agreement of Canada’s national Air Quality Management System.

As the Director General of the Climate Policy Office, he led the development of the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change, and in his current role as the Assistant Deputy Minister of the Pan-Canadian Framework Implementation Office, he oversees the development and effective implementation of Canada’s climate change policies.

Geoffrey Mercer - Regional Director General, Atlantic and Quebec Regions

Mr. Mercer was appointed Regional Director General on June 23, 2016.

In 2013, Mr. Mercer was appointed as the Associate Regional Director General, Atlantic and Quebec Regions.Mr. Mercer joined Environment and Climate Change Canada in January 2009 as the Atlantic Regional Director, Environmental Protection Operations Directorate. From 1988 until 2008, Mr. Mercer was a member of National Defence where he held various positions in the department’s environmental management program.

Mr. Mercer obtained a Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree in Science (Biology) from Memorial University of Newfoundland.

Sue Milburn-Hopwood - Assistant Deputy Minister, Canadian Wildlife Service

Ms. Milburn-Hopwood was appointed Assistant Deputy Minister of the Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) in 2016. Prior to joining the CWS, Ms. Milburn-Hopwood held a variety of Executive positions in Environment Canada and Health Canada managing environmental assessment, environmental emergencies, contaminated sites, chemicals management and disposal at sea programs.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Life Sciences from Queen’s University, as well as a Master’s degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Toronto.

John Moffet - Assistant Deputy Minister, Environmental Protection Branch

Mr. Moffet joined Environment and Climate Change Canada in 2005 on Executive Interchange. Before becoming Assistant Deputy Minister, Mr. Moffet was Director General of various directorates working on domestic and international issues. Prior to joining ECCC, he consulted on environmental law and policy issues in Canada and in developing countries, he was the Executive Assistant to the Attorney General of Ontario, and a corporate lawyer in Toronto. He has lectured and published on a wide range of environmental law and policy topics.

Carol Najm - Assistant Deputy Minister and Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Services and Finance Branch

Ms. Najm was appointed Assistant Deputy Minister of Corporate Services and Finance Branch and Chief Financial Officer on May 30, 2016.

Ms. Najm joined Environment and Climate Change Canada in 2008 after several years and many achievements in the private sector. Ms. Najm holds an Honours Degree in Commerce with a major in Finance, as well as a Bachelor of Administration, both from the University of Ottawa.

Niall O’Dea - Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Canadian Wildlife Service

Dr. O’Dea was appointed Associate Assistant Deputy Minister of the Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) in March 2018. Prior to joining CWS, he held a variety of executive positions with Natural Resources Canada on energy programs and policy, climate adaptation, and as senior advisor to the Deputy Minister. Dr. O’Dea began his Government of Canada career working with Environment Canada on climate regulatory and technology policy and has also served in the Privy Council Office, advising on matters under the responsibility of the Ministers
of Fisheries and Oceans, Natural Resources, and Environment.

Dr. O’Dea completed undergraduate degrees in Biology and Philosophy at Memorial University of Newfoundland, and a Master’s and Doctorate at Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar.

Sylvain Paradis - Chief Human Resources Management Officer, Human Resources Branch

Mr. Paradis was appointed Chief Human Resources Management Officer, Human Resources Branch, in November 2015. Prior to his appointment, Mr. Paradis was the Director General, Applied Research and Analysis, Strategic Policy Branch at Health Canada, and the Director General, Ecosystem Science Directorate, before that.

Mr. Paradis has occupied positions in the Science Branch at Fisheries and Oceans Canada and was the Director of the Policy Research Division in the Population and Public Health Branch at Health Canada. He has also spent several years managing the Environmental Contaminants Research programs of the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch at Health Canada.

Anne-Marie Pelletier - Chief Enforcement Officer, Enforcement Branch

Anne-Marie Pelletier was appointed Chief Enforcement Officer on December 3, 2018.

Before joining the Enforcement Branch at Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ms. Pelletier served as the Executive Director, Operations and Chief Security Officer at the Privy Council Office where she led the security agency function. Between 2007 and 2016, she occupied various executive positions in security and intelligence across the Public Service. From 2000 to 2007 she also worked at Environment Canada in environmental stewardship, international affairs and climate change.

Ms. Pelletier holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Science with a specialization in Natural Resources Management from the Université Laval.

Paule-Anny Pierre - Director General and Chief Audit and Evaluation Executive, Audit and Evaluation Branch

Ms. Pierre was appointed Director General and Chief Audit and Evaluation Executive in May 2017.

Ms. Pierre has a professional career of 25 years in the areas of education, program evaluation, internal audit, risk management and results-based management. Ms. Pierre has held various management positions in the federal government for the past 15 years, including the Treasury Board Secretariat, Canadian Heritage, Health Canada and Statistics Canada.

She graduated from Université de Montréal with an Honours Bachelor’s degree in actuarial sciences. She also holds a Master of Arts in Education from Université du Québec à Montréal and an Executive MBA from the Telfer School of Management –University of Ottawa.

Ms. Pierre is a Credentialed Evaluator and Certified Internal Auditor with governance experience as a member of Board of Directors of non-profit organizations and government agencies.

Helen Ryan - Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Environmental Protection Branch

Ms. Ryan was appointed Associate Assistant Deputy Minister of the Environmental Protection Branch within Environment and Climate Change Canada in September 2018.

Prior to her appointment, Ms. Ryan was the Director General of the Energy and Transportation Directorate heading the development and implementation of regulations and standards to reduce air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation, oil and gas, and electricity sectors. Ms. Ryan has over 30 years of experience in the public service at the federal, provincial and municipal levels.

Hélène Sheedy - Executive Director and Senior General Counsel, Environment Legal Services

Ms. Sheedy was appointed the Executive Director and Senior General Counsel of Environment Legal Services on August 12th, 2019.

Ms. Sheedy joined the Department of Justice in 1986 and has worked in various client Legal Services Units including Judicial Affairs, Communications, Environment, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Fisheries and Oceans, and Employment and Social Development Canada. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Arts and an LLB in Common Law from the University of Ottawa. She was admitted to the Law Society of Upper Canada in 1986.

Catherine Stewart - Acting Assistant Deputy Minister, International Affairs Branch

Ms. Stewart is currently Acting Assistant Deputy Minister of the International Affairs Branch since September 30th 2019, and is Canada’s Chief Negotiator for Climate Change. She has 5 years of experience as a Director General (DG) in the International Affairs Branch, most recently as the DG for Multilateral Affairs and Climate Change Directorate. She has over 20 years of experience in the federal government and has taken on complex policy and management roles including in the areas of defence, security and environmental policy. Ms. Stewart has also supported Cabinet decision-making and managed high priority issues for the government at the Privy Council Office. She holds a Bachelor of Arts at McGill University and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Carleton University.