Toronto, ON — February 24, 2026 — What does it really take to govern well in an age of uncertainty? Part memoir and part guide for future leaders, A Public Servant’s Voice: Through the Words of the First Woman Clerk of the Privy Council of Canada by the Honourable Jocelyne Bourgon, PC, OC (University of Toronto Press, February 24, 2026) offers a rare insider perspective on how Canada has been governed over the past fifty years, and what is required to govern effectively today.
Bourgon began her career in the federal public service in 1973 and, in 1994, shattered a historic glass ceiling when she was appointed the first woman Clerk of the Privy Council, Secretary to the Cabinet, and Head of the Public Service of Canada (1994–1999). Drawing on her distinguished career at the centre of Canadian governance and the highest non-partisan post in the federal public service, A Public Servant’s Voice explores the decisions, reforms, and leadership challenges that have shaped Bourgon’s trailblazing trajectory as well as Canada’s public service and its democratic institutions.
In the book, Bourgon offers an indispensable perspective on pivotal moments in modern Canadian history, from constitutional negotiations and fiscal reform in the 1990s to national unity efforts and the evolution of citizen-centred government. She also addresses contemporary threats to democratic governance, including declining institutional capacity, over-complex systems, political polarization, and global disruption.
“Jocelyne Bourgon continues her extraordinary service to Canada by sharing this look back on her remarkable career in a book that is full of insights and advice. A must-read for those who are curious about how the public sector works and anyone who cares about its future.” – Michael Wernick, 23rd Clerk of the Privy Council and Jarislowksy Chair in Public Sector Management, University of Ottawa
Combining candid reflection with vivid firsthand experience—from advising prime ministers to leading the public service through periods of profound reform—A Public Servant’s Voice offers timely guidance on leadership, public purpose, and the enduring importance of a professional, non-partisan public service.
A Public Servant’s Voice is available for purchase at utppublishing.com and major book retailers.