Profile: Simon Kennedy

Advising Cabinet is a privilege in Privy Council Office

When Simon Kennedy offers advice, people in the highest reaches of government listen.

For the past four years, Simon has worked in the Privy Council Office (PCO). He is part of the Public Service team that assists the Prime Minister and Cabinet in planning and implementing policies, and directing government operations.

In his previous post as Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet (Operations), Simon provided advice to the Prime Minister, the Cabinet and the Clerk of the Privy Council on a wide range of domestic policy and program issues.

Works closely with ministers

“I worked very closely with ministers and their deputies,” he says. “A lot of items have to come forward for decision in Cabinet committees. I was responsible for running a number of Cabinet committees dealing with economic, social and environmental policy. I also was secretary to the Cabinet Committee on Operations, which handles fast-moving issues, crisis management, parliamentary strategy and communications.”

“My role was to work with departments and facilitate their business, help resolve problems and reach decisions, while at the same time providing the Prime Minister with independent advice,” Simon says.

Non-partisan advice

After spending the first part of his Public Service career at Transport Canada and the Canadian Coast Guard working in various communications and policy positions, he moved to the Privy Council Office in 1997, where he stayed until joining Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in 2000.  He returned to PCO in 2004. He enjoys being involved in the decision-making level of the Canadian government.

“It’s a real privilege to support Cabinet as it deliberates on the key issues affecting the future of Canada,” he says.

He says the most rewarding part of his job is providing non-partisan policy advice.

”You have to really think through the advice you give.  You need to set aside your own biases and avoid the all-too-human temptation to tell ministers only what they want to hear,” he says. ”Otherwise, I would lose my value as an advisor.”

Lots of meetings

A typical day for Simon is hectic and involves lengthy consultations with senior officials. “A lot of time is spent in meetings and working with staff,” he says. But although his job isn’t always easy, it’s immensely rewarding.

It’s not only the challenge of the work that Simon enjoys; he also appreciates the high calibre of his colleagues in the Public Service. “PCO is an organization that’s full of very bright people—it challenges me and keeps me motivated.”

Simon himself is a rising star in the Public Service. In 2007, he was honoured as one of the recipients of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40™.

Focus on priorities

Simon has recently been posted to a new job in the PCO—Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet (Plans and Consultation). “It’s just down the hall,” he says.

The new post comes with responsibility for the government’s priorities and planning, macro-economic policy, and communications and consultation across government.

Simon looks forward to the new challenges and opportunities of the job. He says that working for the Public Service gives him a sense of satisfaction he couldn’t find anywhere else.

“I like the idea of serving the public and participating in our democratic process. It’s good to know that the work you’re doing is trying to make Canada a better place.”

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