Kevin G. Lynch, PC OC (born January 1951) is a Canadian economist and former Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet, Canada's most senior civil servant.
Born in Sydney, Nova Scotia, he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Mount Allison University, a Master of Economics degree from the University of Manchester, and a Ph.D. in Economics from McMaster University in 1980. He is married with two children.
Lynch began his career with the Bank of Canada as an economist in 1976. In 1981, he joined the Department of Finance and rose quickly through the ranks, becoming a Director in 1983 and an Assistant Deputy Minister in 1988. In 1992 he became Associate Deputy Minister at Industry and Deputy Minister of that Department in 1995. In 2000, he returned to Finance, this time as Deputy Minister.
In 2004, he moved from Ottawa to Washington, DC to serve as Executive Director for the Canadian, Irish and Caribbean constituency at the International Monetary Fund.
On March 6, 2006, he became the 20th Clerk of the Privy Council. On May 7, 2009, he announced that he would step down on July 1. He was replaced by Secretary of the Treasury Board Wayne Wouters.
On May 11, 2009 he was sworn in as a member of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada giving him the Pre-nominal title "The Honourable" and the Post-nominal letters "PC" for Life.
He currently is Vice-Chair of the BMO Financial Group.
In 2011, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada "for his contributions as a senior public servant, notably as head of Canada’s public service, and as a business leader and volunteer".
Famous quotes containing the words kevin and/or lynch:
“Well, on the official record you’re my son. But on this post you’re just another trooper. You heard me tell the recruits what I need from them. Twice that I will expect from you.... You’ve chosen my way of life. I hope you have the guts enough to endure it. But put outa your mind any romantic ideas that it’s a way to glory. It’s a life of suffering and of hardship and uncompromising devotion to your oath and your duty.”
—James Kevin McGuinness, and John Ford. Lt. Col. Kirby Yorke (John Wayne)
“Johnson’s conversation was by much too strong for a person accustomed to obsequiousness and flattery; it was mustard in a young child’s mouth.”
—Hester Lynch Thrale (1739–1821)