Michael Sabia

Michael Sabia
Born	(1953-09-11) September 11, 1953 St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
Occupation(s)	Executive, government official
Years active	1980s–present
Known for	CEO of Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (2009–2020), Deputy Minister of Finance Canada (2020–2023), CEO of Hydro-Québec (2023–2025), 26th Clerk of the Privy Council (2025–present)

Michael John Sabia (born September 11, 1953) is a Canadian executive and government official currently serving as the 26th clerk of the Privy Council since July 7, 2025.

Throughout his career, Sabia has occupied prominent positions in both the public and private sectors. He was CEO of the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec from 2009 until 2020, served as deputy minister at the Department of Finance Canada between 2020 and 2023, and led Hydro-Québec as CEO from 2023 to 2025. His public service journey began in the 1980s with a role as deputy secretary to the cabinet (plans). In the corporate realm, he held executive posts including CFO of CN Railway and CEO of Bell Canada Enterprises. Additionally, Sabia has been a director at the Munk School of Global Affairs and continues to be recognized as a distinguished fellow there. On June 11, 2025, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Sabia’s appointment as clerk of the Privy Council, effective July 7.

Personal life

Hailing from St. Catharines, Ontario, Sabia is the son of Michael Joseph Sabia and Laura Sabia (née Villela), both with Italian heritage. He received his education at Ridley College, completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto, and earned a graduate degree from Yale University.

His spouse, Hilary Pearson, is the granddaughter of former Canadian Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson. In recognition of his contributions, Sabia was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2016.

Early federal and private sector career

During the 1980s and early 1990s, Sabia held senior positions within Canada's federal public service, including serving as Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet at the Privy Council Office. When Clerk of the Privy Council Paul Tellier transitioned to become president of Canadian National Railway amid its privatization, he invited Sabia to join CN. Throughout the 1990s, Sabia occupied multiple executive roles at CN Railway, notably chief financial officer.

In 1999, Sabia transitioned to Bell Canada Enterprises (BCE), ascending to CEO in 2002 following Jean Monty. After BCE’s board approved a privatization bid by the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan in 2007, Sabia declared his intention to depart once the transaction concluded. He exited BCE in July 2008 and was succeeded by George Cope.

Later roles

On March 13, 2009, Sabia assumed the role of president and CEO at Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ), taking over from Fernand Perrault. His leadership term was extended in 2017 through March 31, 2021. Under his guidance, CDPQ notably broadened its international investments; by 2019, approximately 64% of its $247 billion portfolio was allocated overseas compared to just 36% in 2009.

Sabia contributed to the Canadian Government’s Advisory Council on Economic Growth, which proposed raising permanent immigration levels to Canada to 450,000 annually to foster enduring economic expansion.

In November 2019, he announced an early departure from CDPQ to become head of the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy at the University of Toronto, beginning in February 2020. Charles Emond succeeded him as CDPQ CEO in January that year.

By April 2020, Sabia had taken on the Chairperson role at the Canada Infrastructure Bank. Two months later, he joined the board of directors for the Mastercard Foundation.

On December 6, 2020, he was appointed Deputy Minister at the federal Department of Finance (Canada). He relinquished his Chairperson position at Canada Infrastructure Bank in January 2021; Tamara Vrooman succeeded him.

On May 23, 2023, Sabia was named CEO of Hydro-Québec, Quebec’s publicly owned electric utility company, replacing Sophie Brochu. He stepped down from this position on July 4 shortly before assuming his current role as clerk of the Privy Council.

Clerk of the Privy Council

Prime Minister Mark Carney declared on June 11, 2025, that Sabia would assume the role of clerk of the privy council for the Government of Canada starting July 7, with his departure from Hydro-Québéc scheduled for July 4.

See also

• Réseau express métropolitain

External links

• Michael Sabia, Deputy Minister – Department of Finance