In 1994 the Honourable J. Bourgon was appointed Clerk of the Privy Council, becoming the 17th Clerk and the first female in Canadian history to serve in this position. At this time Jocelyne Bourgon had the honour of being the highest ranking civil servant in Canada.

Ms. Bourgon was born in Papineauville, Quebec. She joined the federal civil service in 1973 after studying science and management. In 1989 she became a federal deputy minister, the youngest woman in Canada to have achieved this level. She has also served as the President of the Canadian International Development Agency and President of the Canadian Centre for Management Development, and been active in a number of international organizations. A recipient of five honourary degrees, Joycelyne Bourgon is an officer of the Order of Canada.