Our Deputy Minister

John F.G. Hannaford

John F.G. Hannaford was appointed Deputy Minister of Natural Resources Canada by the Prime Minister in January 2022.

Mr. Hannaford previously served as Deputy Minister of International Trade at Global Affairs Canada and also held positions as Foreign and Defence Policy Advisor to the Prime Minister; Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet of Foreign and Defence Policy in the Privy Council Office; and Canada’s Ambassador to Norway.

As a member of Canada’s Foreign Service, Mr. Hannaford also had numerous assignments in Ottawa    and at the Canadian embassy in Washington, D.C., during the early years of his career.

John Hannaford graduated from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, with a bachelor of arts (honours) in history. After earning a master of science in international relations at the London School of Economics, he completed a bachelor of laws degree at the University of Toronto and was called to the bar in Ontario in 1995.

In addition to his work as a public servant, Mr. Hannaford has in the past been an adjunct professor in both the Faculty of Law and the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Ottawa.

Former Deputy Ministers