PRIME Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday announced changes in the senior ranks of the public service and these include:

* Dr. Harpreet S. Kochhar, currently President of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, becomes Deputy Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, effective January 27, 2024.

* Raj Thuppal, currently Assistant Deputy Minister and Chief Information Officer, National Defence, becomes Executive Vice-President of Shared Services Canada, effective January 22, 2024.

KOCCHAR’S degrees include Ph.D., Animal Biotechnology, University of Guelph; Master of Veterinary Science, Punjab Agricultural University (India); and Bachelor of Veterinary Science, Punjab Agricultural University (India)

His professional experience:
Since February 2023
President of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency

2021 – 2023
President of the Public Health Agency of Canada

2020 – 2021
Associate Deputy Minister of Health

2017 – 2020
Assistant Deputy Minister, Operations Sector, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

2015 – 2017
Associate Vice-President of Operations and Chief Veterinary Officer for Canada, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, and Canada’s Delegate to the World Organization for Animal Health

2014 – 2015
Executive Director, Animal Health Directorate, and Chief Veterinary Officer for Canada, Canadian Food Inspection Agency

2012 – 2014
Executive Director, Western Area Operations, Canadian Food Inspection Agency

2010 – 2012
Executive Director, Operations Strategy and Delivery, Canadian Food Inspection Agency

2008 – 2010
Director, Program Delivery, Canadian Food Inspection Agency

THUPPAL’S degrees include Master of Engineering, Computer Engineering, Memorial University of Newfoundland; Bachelor of Technology, Electronics and Communication Engineering, Nagarjuna University (India).

His professional experience:
Since April 2023
Assistant Deputy Minister and Chief Information Officer, National Defence

2021 – 2023
Senior Assistant Deputy Minister and Chief Service and Digital Officer, Transport Canada

2020 – 2021
Senior Assistant Deputy Minister and Chief Technology Officer, Shared Services Canada

2019 – 2020
Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Networks, Security and Digital Services, Shared Services Canada

2017 – 2018
Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Networks and End User Services, Shared Services Canada

2015 – 2017
Assistant Deputy Minister, Cyber and IT Security, Shared Services Canada

2013 – 2015
Director General, Cyber and IT Security Transformation, Shared Services Canada

2012 – 2013

Director, Data Services and Technology Management, Canada Revenue Agency

2009 – 2012
Director, IM Engineering and Integration, National Defence