Sébastien Goupil Appointed Secretary General of the Canadian Commission for UNESCO

June 27, 2016

Ottawa, June 27, 2016 – The Canada Council for the Arts is delighted to announce the appointment of Sébastien Goupil as Secretary General of the Canadian Commission for UNESCO (CCUNESCO). Mr. Goupil will take up his functions on August 8, 2016.

The announcement was made today jointly by Simon Brault, Director and CEO of the Canada Council, and Christina Cameron, President of the Commission, which operates within the Canada Council.

About Sébastien Goupil

  • Mr. Goupil joined the federal public service in 2002 and has dedicated most of his career to cultural and social policy development. He comes to the Commission from his role as Acting Corporate Secretary and Chief of Staff to the Librarian and Archivist of Canada at Library and Archives Canada.
  • Prior to this, he was the first male to sit on the executive committee of Status of Women Canada, where he led policy and external relations. He was instrumental in strengthening Canada’s approach to gender mainstreaming
  • He has served as Director of Policy and Governance in Portfolio Affairs at the Department of Canadian Heritage, and in senior advisor roles, including at Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
Sébastien Goupil

We’re delighted to welcome Mr. Goupil to his new role as Secretary General of the Commission. His proven dedication to public service and the values upheld by UNESCO make him an ideal leader for the organization. I look forward to our collaboration, and furthering the excellent work of the Commission in shining a light on issues of critical importance to civil society.

Simon Brault, Director and CEO of the Canada Council

On behalf of the Canadian Commission for UNESCO, I welcome Sébastien Goupil to our organization. I look forward to working with him in these exciting times as we join forces with UNESCO to implement the Sustainable Development goals of the United Nations Agenda 2030.

Christina Cameron, President of the Canadian Commission for UNESCO

It is a great privilege to join the Canadian Commission for UNESCO. I anticipate with pleasure the opportunity to collaborate with Mr. Brault, Ms. Cameron, as well as with the staff and partners of the Commission to carry out the important mandate entrusted to us. 

Sébastien Goupil, incoming Secretary General of the CCUNESCO

Canada Council for the Arts

The Canada Council for the Arts is Canada’s national public arts funder. We champion and invest in artistic excellence so that Canadians may enjoy and participate in a rich cultural life. In 2014-15 we allocated $155.1 million dollars towards artistic creation and innovation through our grants, prizes and payments. We also conduct research, convene activities and work with partners to advance the sector and help embed the arts more deeply in communities across the country. We are responsible for the Canadian Commission for UNESCO which promotes the values and programs of UNESCO to contribute to a more peaceful, equitable and sustainable future for Canadians. The Canada Council Art Bank operates art rental programs and helps further public engagement with contemporary arts.

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