John Hannaford (Canadian civil servant)

Hannaford completed a bachelor of arts in history at Queen's University. He later completed a master of science, focusing on international relations, at the London School of Economics. He also completed a bachelor of laws at the University of Toronto.^[3]

His previous roles include:^[3]

• 2025–present: Personal representative of the prime minister to the European Union
• 2023–2025: Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet
• 2022–2023: Deputy minister of natural resources
• 2019–2022: Deputy minister of international trade
• 2015–2019: Foreign and defence policy advisor to the prime minister, Privy Council Office
• 2012–2015: Assistant secretary to the Cabinet (foreign and defence policy), Privy Council Office
• 2009–2012: Ambassador of Canada to Norway
• 2007–2009: Director general and deputy legal advisor, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
• 2005–2007: Director, United Nations, Human Rights and Economic Law Division, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
• 2003–2005: Deputy director, Trade Law Bureau, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
• 2001–2003: Deputy director, Investment Trade Policy Division, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada

Hannaford was also involved at a high level in the renegotiation of NAFTA, and he was at one time a foreign and defense policy adviser to Justin Trudeau.^[4]

Hannaford was appointed as clerk following the retirement of Janice Charette on June 24, 2023.^[5]

Hannaford became a member of the King's Privy Council for Canada on July 4, 2025, shortly before the end of his tenure as clerk.^[6]