The Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, today announced the appointment of Krista Quinlan as chair of the Public Service Commission (PSC). The appointment is effective May 3, 2025. Ms. Quinlan currently serves as Clerk of the Executive Council and Secretary to Cabinet.
Ms. Quinlan has served as Clerk since June 2021. Prior to that, she served as Deputy Clerk of the Executive Council and Associate Secretary to Cabinet. A full bio can be found in the backgrounder below.
Current Acting Chair George Joyce will remain a commissioner of the PSC.
The Public Service Commission is an arm’s length agency tasked with the principle statutory role of promotion and protection of merit in public service hiring and in appointments to agencies, boards and commissions (ABCs). It is responsible for ensuring the existence of a professional, non-partisan public service including ABCs.
In addition, the PSC is responsible for the Employee Assistance and Respectful Workplace Programs; employee safety and wellness initiatives; administration of classification appeals; corporate-wide learning, development and training; leading and supporting the Conflict of Interest Advisory Committee; and administering the Harassment-Free Workplace Program for public service employees. The integrity and impartiality of these programs is enhanced by the neutral and independent nature and reputation of the PSC.
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“As Clerk of the Executive Council and Secretary to Cabinet, Krista Quinlan has provided admirable service to the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and the people of this province. I have complete confidence that she will bring the same spirit of professionalism and excellence to her role as chair of the Public Service Commission.”
Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
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BACKGROUNDER
Biography for Krista Quinlan
Krista Quinlan has served as Clerk of the Executive Council and Secretary to Cabinet, Deputy Minister to the Premier, and Head of the Public Service with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador since June 2021.
As Clerk, Ms. Quinlan served as chief policy advisor to the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. In this capacity, she has overseen the public service response to the province’s critical priorities, including the COVID-19 pandemic, health system cyber-attack, wildfire and natural disaster response, and new energy partnership development with Quebec, while overseeing the implementation of the government’s overall social and economic agenda. She places a high priority on reinforcing and revitalizing core public service values, and has led a number of recruitment, engagement, education and recognition initiatives for the provincial public service.
Over her 25-year career with the public service of Newfoundland and Labrador, she has held senior roles in the Office of the Executive Council, the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, and the Research and Development Corporation of Newfoundland and Labrador, a provincial Crown Corporation.