Ontario's top civil servant is preparing to step aside.
Steven Davidson, who has held the top job since February 2019, will retire from the public service on June 30 when his current appointment expires.
In a note to the civil service of 60,000-plus employees that he oversees, Davidson outlined his gratitude for the opportunity and for the people he has worked alongside in a career that has spanned over 30 years. "I have had a rich and varied career and been privileged to work alongside some of the smartest, most dedicated and public-spirited people I know," he wrote on March 4.
He described his pride in the Ontario Public Service (OPS) for its work during a historic pandemic, praising public servants for smoothly transitioning to work from home and responding with "exceptional courage and integrity."
"I know I leave the OPS in extremely good hands," he stated. "I believe the strength and diversity of the deputy minister team ensures that we're harnessing a wide range of perspectives and experience to build and lead the workforce of the future."
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Meanwhile, Travis Kann has been promoted deputy chief of staff for strategic communications, replacing Dan Miles, who was reassigned to special projects. Kann became the executive director of communications for the premier last year, moving over from the office of deputy premier Christine Elliott.
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And the Ontario Chamber of Commerce announced that Claudia Dessanti is its new senior manager of policy. Dessanti founded and co-chairs the chamber's Energy Policy Council and prior to joining the OCC in 2018, she researched mortgage markets for National Bank Financial and measured social impact for Charity Intelligence, the Chamber says.
With files from David Hains

People on the move: The top civil servant, the premier’s office, and the OCC

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