The Clerk of the Executive Council ("the Clerk") has three principal roles:
- Deputy Minister to the Premier
- Cabinet Secretary
- Senior Deputy Minister and Head of the Public Service
While each of these roles is distinct, they are inter-connected and integral to supporting the Premier and the government.
As Deputy Minister to the Premier, the Clerk provides the Premier with non-partisan advice on the running of government, the development of government policies, and the organization and operation of government decision-making processes.
As Cabinet Secretary, the Clerk ensures that Cabinet and its committees receive all briefing materials in a timely manner so that meetings run smoothly. The Clerk documents Cabinet's decisions and ensures that these decisions are accurately conveyed via minutes to ministers and deputy ministers for execution as directed.
As Senior Deputy Minister and Head of the Public Service, the Clerk is responsible for the operation of the public service on behalf of the Premier. The Clerk acts as a bridge between the Premier and the public service, communicating the broad direction of the elected government to deputy ministers who then translate those directions into action.
Meet the Clerk of the Executive Council
Sarah Thiele
Clerk of the Executive Council and Cabinet Secretary
Sarah has two decades of well-rounded, diverse experience with the public service. Most recently, Sarah served as Manitoba's deputy minister of transportation and infrastructure - overseeing investments in Manitoba roads, water control infrastructure and northern airports, as well as deputy minister responsible for Manitoba's Emergency Management Organization.
Sarah spent much of her career to date in the Department of Finance with the Treasury Board Secretariat, as assistant deputy minister of strategic management and analysis, providing advice on provincial operating and capital budgets. She also served as secretary to the Fiscal Responsibility Committee of Cabinet.
She supports a government-wide approach to delivering effective and efficient services across systems. She has participated as an executive steering committee member for a number of major initiatives from procurement modernization and finance and administration consolidation, to IT services innovation.
Sarah holds a Master of Arts degree in political science from McGill University and an Associate Diploma (ARCT) in piano performance from the Toronto Royal Conservatory.
Meet the Deputy Ministers
Deputy ministers are the highest-ranking public servants in their respective departments. They support ministers in fulfilling their collective and individual responsibilities and in being accountable to the Legislature. The deputy minister provides:
- Sound advice on policy development and implementation, both within the minister's portfolio and with respect to the government's overall policy and legislative agenda;
- Effective departmental management, as well as advice on management of the minister's entire portfolio; and
- Fulfilment of authorities assigned to the deputy minister or other departmental officials either by the minister or directly by legislation.
