Harper Names New Associate Deputy Ag Minister

Apr 24, 2013

Timothy Sargent, one of the Senior Ranks Announced in Public Service Shuffle

Prime Minister Stephen Harper recently announced some changes in the senior ranks of the public service, including to Agriculture Canada. Harper has named Timothy Sargent, acting Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet (Operations), Privy Council Office, to become Associate Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, starting April 29, 2013. Sargent will be replacing Claude Carrière, former Associate Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, who has retired from the public service after 33-years.

While Agriculture Canada’s new head doesn’t have a background in agriculture, Sargent has ties to the finance department and the centre of government control. He worked as a senior economist at the finance department from 1994 to 2008, before moving to the Privy Council, which is the prime minister’s central government bureaucracy.

In addition to the new appointments, Harper also thanked a number of public servants who are retiring, including Brian Evans, former chief veterinary officer for Canada and vice-president of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Evans was with the agency during the BSC crisis and was also Canada’s first chief food safety officer.

Video: Exploring Precision Data in Swine Production - Dr. Janice Siegford

In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show, Dr. Janice Siegford from Michigan State University discusses how precision livestock farming data can support pig health, welfare, transparency, and decision making. She explains why data ownership, privacy, consumer perception, and cost sharing must be addressed as technology becomes more common on farms. Listen now on all major platforms.

“Precision livestock farming data can support producers, veterinarians, certifiers, and consumers by enabling improved monitoring, prediction, and decision-making across the entire production system.”

Meet the guest: Dr. Janice Siegford / janice-siegford-24318839 is a Professor and Associate Chair in the Department of Animal Science at Michigan State University. Her expertise in animal welfare, neuroscience, and zoology supports research on pig behavior, stress resilience, and precision livestock farming. Her work explores early weaning, genetics, and stakeholder perspectives on technology adoption to improve pig care, health, and productivity. Learn more from Dr. Janice Siegford on The Swine it Podcast Show, available on all major platforms.