Paul Genest

Deputy Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Cabinet Office and Associate Secretary of the Cabinet

Paul Genest has been the Deputy Minister for Intergovernmental Affairs and Associate Secretary to the Cabinet, with the Ontario Provincial Government since August 31, 2009. He was also appointed the Deputy Minister responsible for Francophone Affairs, on September 28, 2009. Prior to joining the Ontario Public Service, Dr Genest served as the President and CEO of the Council of Ontario Universities for two years.

Paul's previous positions included Assistant Vice-President, Public Affairs and e-Services for Bell Canada, liaising with both the federal and provincial governments on sector policy issues, including telecom policy, R&D, e-services, productivity and taxation. He was Director of Policy and Research for Prime Minister Jean Chrétien; Director General of Intergovernmental Affairs for Health Canada; and Senior Policy Advisor to two federal Ministers of Health, Allan Rock and D.C. Dingwall. Dr. Genest was Assistant Professor for two years at Union College in Schenectady, New York.

Paul Genest received an Honours BA in English and Philosophy from the University of Guelph, an MA in Philosophy from the University of Ottawa, and his MA and PhD in Philosophy from The Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. He has also completed the Advanced Management Program at the Harvard Business School.

Paul is married to Barb Jessup, a school teacher. They have two children, Kate and Zack.