ICYMI: A Conversation with Michael Wernick and Don Connolly

Live recording from the Neptune Theatre in Halifax, NS | January 23, 2020

Michael Wernick was the 23rd Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet from January 2016, to April 2019.

With a M.A. in economics from the University of Toronto, he joined the Public Service of Canada in 1981, working in various departments and agencies, including the Department of Finance Canada, Consumer and Corporate Affairs, Canadian Heritage, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development and four tours at the Privy Council Office. One of these was at the Intergovernmental Affairs branch during the 1992 Charlottetown Accord constitutional round and the 1995 secession referendum.

Mr. Wernick served in executive positions for 28 years and countless committees and task forces within the public service. Senior leadership roles included Assistant Deputy Minister and then Associate Deputy Minister at Canadian Heritage in 1996, Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet, Plans and Consultations, at the Privy Council Office in 2003 and an eight year tenure between 2006 and 2014 as Deputy Minister at Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development. He returned to Privy Council Office as Senior Advisor and then Deputy Clerk before his appointment as Clerk.

Retiring has allowed Mr. Wernick to commit much more time to watching soccer and reading history and biographies than was previously possible.

Don Connolly is a beloved figure in Nova Scotia and retired broadcaster, having served as host of CBC's Information Morning for 42 years.