Associate Deputy Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development
On March 5, 2026, Kaili Levesque was appointed Associate Deputy Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, and President of the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, while continuing to support the Secretary of State (Nature).
Previously, Ms. Levesque was the Associate Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO). In this role, she supported decision making by the Deputy Minister and Minister of Fisheries and Oceans through fearless and informed advice geared at sustainably managing Canada's fisheries and aquaculture; enabling the continued prosperity of fishers and coastal and Indigenous communities; and helping to ensure Canada's oceans and aquatic ecosystems are protected.
On June 20, 2025, Ms. Levesque was appointed as the Deputy supporting the Secretary of State (Nature)—concurrent with her role as Associate Deputy Minister, DFO. In this capacity she continues to provide guidance and advice to the Secretary of State and participates in engagements toward meeting the Government's target to conserve 30 per cent of its lands and 30 per cent of its oceans by 2030—all with a view to combatting biodiversity loss and climate change.
Prior to this, Ms. Levesque was the Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet, Operations, at the Privy Council Office (PCO) where she provided policy advice to the Prime Minister, Cabinet, and the Clerk while ensuring interdepartmental coordination on a wide range of domestic policy and program issues.
In 2021, Ms. Levesque was the Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet, Economic and Regional Development Policy, PCO, where she was responsible for shepherding a variety of government priorities including climate change, industrial, and energy policy.
During 2020-2021, Ms. Levesque served as both the Vice-President of the COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout at the Public Health Agency of Canada, and the Assistant Deputy Minister, Medical Countermeasures, as part of Health Canada's COVID-19 Task Force—ensuring supply and swift provision of vaccines across Canada.
Ms. Levesque has held numerous leadership positions in the federal public service in key, priority areas, including as:
- Executive Director, Strategic Policy, Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS) – 2018-2020;
- Senior Director, Office of Energy Efficiency, Natural Resources Canada – 2017-2018;
- Director, Strategic Policy, TBS – 2016-2017;
- Director, Post-Secondary Strategic Investment Fund, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) – 2016; and
- Director, Policy and Strategic Planning, Digital Policy Branch, ISED – 2014-2016.
Ms. Levesque attended Carleton University, where she earned a Master of Arts in Public Administration. She attended the University of Ottawa, where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Governance and Public Policy. She has an extremely patient husband, two active teenagers, and for good measure, two cats who run the roost.