Madam Manon Larocque was appointed as the new Hydrographer General of Canada and Director General of the Canadian Hydrographic Service (CHS) on 11 September 2023, replacing Dr Geneviève Béchard.
Madam Larocque graduated from the University of Ottawa with an International Masters in Business Administration, as well as a graduate degree in commerce. She has been a Government of Canada civil servant for 24 years. Before her appointment as Hydrographer General of Canada, she was Director General in the Aquatic Ecosystems sector with Fisheries and Oceans Canada and was responsible for the delivery of the Fifth International Marine Protected Areas Congress this past February.
Madam Larocque brings a wealth of experience in government and technical and science policy. The bulk of her professional and executive leadership experience has been with the Canadian Space Agency, where she worked for a total of 19 years in numerous roles, namely heading Canada’s Delegation to the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, negotiating international collaborations with national space agencies, and leading the development of Canada’s national space strategy and Satellite-Based Earth Observation strategy. Earlier in her career, she also held positions with Canada Customs and Revenue Agency and with Global Affairs Canada.
Madam Larocque is proudly joining the CHS and the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) as Canada’s official delegate. She intends to maintain the leadership of the CHS Digital Transformation, the commitment to S-100 implementation, and many more vibrant and innovative projects and initiatives for Canada and CHS to benefit IHO and the global hydrographic community.
Dr Béchard retired as Hydrographer General of Canada in early September 2023, after 35 years of loyal service in the Canadian Federal Government. Among her many legacies, she graciously led the IHO Empowering Women in Hydrography initiative with great success and was much appreciated as the 2nd Chair of the IHO Council 2020–2023.