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Edam’s Wayne Wouters appointed to Order of Canada

Former privy council clerk Wayne Wouters has become an officer of the Order of Canada. Wouters was born at Lady Minto Hospital in Edam in 1951 and grew up on the family farm.
wayne wouters

Former privy council clerk Wayne Wouters has become an officer of the Order of Canada.

Wouters was born at Lady Minto Hospital in Edam in 1951 and grew up on the family farm. Wayne’s brother Glenn wrote in an email that Wayne “often commented that it was his raising on a farm that taught him the values that helped him in his achievements.”

Wouters earned degrees from the University of Saskatchewan and Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, before joining the Government of Saskatchewan in 1977.

In 1982, Wouters began his federal political career, joining the Department of Energy, Mines and Resources as Director of Industry Analysis. Wouters held a number of positions, before being appointed Clerk of the Privy Council in 2009, a position that reported directly to Prime Minister Stephen Harper. The Clerk of the Privy council is “the most senior non-political official in the Government of Canada” with a number of responsibilities including “ensuring the continuity of government between successive administrations.”

Wouters was known for introducing Blueprint 2020, “a ground-breaking consultation process to create a more transparent public service.”

Wouters retired from the position in 2014.

Wouters was appointed to the Order of Canada along with 98 other people this year. The occupations of the appointees vary, and include lawyers, philanthropists and celebrities. Other officers appointed this year include Alex Trebek, Mark Messier, Mike Myers and Catherine O’Hara.

The Order of Canada is “in recognition of outstanding achievements or exemplary contributions in any sector of Canadian society.”

Glenn Wouters wrote “Wayne was always proud that he grew up in Edam and he keeps in touch with many friends and relatives.”