Fisheries and Oceans Canada Executive and Leadership Team

May, 2026

Leadership Overview

Fisheries and Oceans Canada has 10 executives leading key functions including strategy, finance, and operations.

Driven by a commitment to sustainability, Fisheries and Oceans Canada safeguards waters and manages Canada's fisheries, oceans, and freshwater resources, supporting economic growth and fostering innovation in marine sectors.

Leadership Roles at Fisheries and Oceans Canada

  • Chief Executive Officer - Lindsay Dale
  • Co-Chief Executive Officer - Philippe Benhaim
  • Chief Financial Officer - Richard Goodyear
  • Chief Financial Officer & Dirigeante Des Finances Principal - Danielle LeBlanc
  • Financial Management Advisor & Chief Financial Officer, Sector & Financial Advisory Services - Kanchan Alamelu
  • Chief of Staff To the Chief Financial Officer and Chef De Cabinet Au Dirigeant Principal Des Finances - Victoria Martineau-Pacheco
  • President - Steve Goodall
  • Supply Technician & President, Uew Local 20090 - Richard May
  • Chief of Staff - Alexis McIntyre
  • Director, Chief of Staff - Kirsten Lawrie
  • Lindsay Dale - Chief Executive Officer

    Lindsay Dale, the Chief Executive Officer at Fisheries and Oceans Canada, directs the overarching strategy for safeguarding Canada's waters and managing its fisheries, oceans, and freshwater resources. This leadership role involves driving economic growth within the marine and fisheries sectors, fostering innovation in areas like aquaculture and biotechnology, and ensuring the health of aquatic ecosystems through robust habitat protection and scientific research. Dale's executive decisions shape the department's approach to sustainable resource management and its contribution to Canada's blue economy. The Chief Executive Officer's mandate includes aligning departmental objectives with federal priorities and ensuring effective resource allocation across all operational divisions. By championing sound science and policy, Lindsay Dale ensures Fisheries and Oceans Canada maintains its position as a leader in aquatic resource stewardship and conservation efforts across the nation.
    Lindsay Dale

    Philippe Benhaim - Co-Chief Executive Officer

    Philippe Benhaim, the Co-Chief Executive Officer at Fisheries and Oceans Canada, collaborates with the Chief Executive Officer to guide the organization's strategic direction and operational execution. Benhaim's responsibilities encompass the critical functions of safeguarding Canada's waters and managing its vast fisheries, oceans, and freshwater resources. This involves supporting economic development in key marine and fisheries industries and promoting advancements in aquaculture and biotechnology. The Co-Chief Executive Officer plays a vital part in ensuring the long-term health and sustainability of aquatic ecosystems through dedicated habitat protection initiatives and the application of rigorous scientific principles. Philippe Benhaim's leadership ensures that the department effectively balances resource utilization with ecological preservation, contributing to Canada's environmental and economic well-being. This executive leadership drives innovation and operational excellence across all facets of the department's mandate.

    Richard Goodyear - Chief Financial Officer

    Richard Goodyear, the Chief Financial Officer at Fisheries and Oceans Canada, oversees all financial operations and fiscal strategy for the department. This executive leadership ensures the prudent management of public funds allocated to safeguarding Canada's waters and managing its fisheries, oceans, and freshwater resources. Goodyear's purview includes budgeting, financial planning, reporting, and the allocation of resources to support economic growth in marine and fisheries sectors, as well as innovation in aquaculture and biotechnology. The Chief Financial Officer is instrumental in maintaining the financial integrity of initiatives aimed at ensuring healthy and sustainable aquatic ecosystems through habitat protection and sound science. Richard Goodyear's financial acumen supports the department's mission by optimizing resource deployment and ensuring accountability across all programs and projects. This role is critical for the sustained operational capacity and strategic financial health of Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

    Danielle LeBlanc - Chief Financial Officer & Dirigeante Des Finances Principal

    Danielle LeBlanc, the Chief Financial Officer & Dirigeante Des Finances Principal at Fisheries and Oceans Canada, directs the comprehensive financial management and fiscal strategy for the department. LeBlanc's leadership ensures the effective stewardship of resources dedicated to safeguarding Canada's waters and managing its fisheries, oceans, and freshwater resources. This executive function encompasses strategic budgeting, financial oversight, and the allocation of capital to support economic development in marine and fisheries industries and to advance innovation in aquaculture and biotechnology. The Chief Financial Officer & Dirigeante Des Finances Principal is critical for maintaining the financial health of programs focused on ensuring sustainable aquatic ecosystems through habitat protection and scientific research. Danielle LeBlanc's financial expertise underpins the department's ability to achieve its objectives efficiently and transparently, ensuring robust fiscal accountability across all operations.

    Kanchan Alamelu - Financial Management Advisor & Chief Financial Officer, Sector & Financial Advisory Services

    Kanchan Alamelu, the Financial Management Advisor & Chief Financial Officer, Sector & Financial Advisory Services at Fisheries and Oceans Canada, provides expert financial guidance and advisory services across various sectors. Alamelu's role is crucial in supporting the department's mission to safeguard Canada's waters and manage its fisheries, oceans, and freshwater resources. This involves offering strategic financial counsel to enhance economic growth in marine and fisheries sectors and to promote innovation in aquaculture and biotechnology. The Financial Management Advisor & Chief Financial Officer, Sector & Financial Advisory Services contributes to ensuring the viability of initiatives focused on healthy and sustainable aquatic ecosystems through habitat protection and sound science. Kanchan Alamelu's specialized financial expertise ensures that departmental strategies are financially sound and effectively implemented, driving optimal resource utilization and fiscal responsibility.

    Victoria Martineau-Pacheco - Chief of Staff To the Chief Financial Officer and Chef De Cabinet Au Dirigeant Principal Des Finances

    Victoria Martineau-Pacheco, the Chief of Staff To the Chief Financial Officer and Chef De Cabinet Au Dirigeant Principal Des Finances at Fisheries and Oceans Canada, provides critical operational and strategic support to the financial leadership. Martineau-Pacheco's responsibilities are integral to the effective management of the department's finances, supporting the safeguarding of Canada's waters and the management of its fisheries, oceans, and freshwater resources. This role facilitates the coordination of financial planning and resource allocation, contributing to economic growth in marine and fisheries sectors and supporting innovation in aquaculture and biotechnology. The Chief of Staff To the Chief Financial Officer and Chef De Cabinet Au Dirigeant Principal Des Finances ensures the efficient operation of the finance department, aligning its activities with the broader departmental goals of maintaining healthy and sustainable aquatic ecosystems. Victoria Martineau-Pacheco's support enhances the financial team's capacity to deliver on its mandate.

    Steve Goodall - President

    Steve Goodall, the President at Fisheries and Oceans Canada, leads key operational divisions and strategic initiatives within the department. Goodall's executive focus is on advancing the mandate to safeguard Canada's waters and manage its fisheries, oceans, and freshwater resources. This leadership role drives efforts to support economic growth in the marine and fisheries sectors and to foster innovation in areas such as aquaculture and biotechnology. The President is instrumental in ensuring the health and sustainability of aquatic ecosystems through dedicated habitat protection and the application of sound scientific principles. Steve Goodall's leadership ensures that operational strategies are effectively implemented, contributing to the department's overall success in resource management and environmental stewardship across Canada. This executive ensures departmental objectives are met with efficiency and strategic foresight.

    Richard May - Supply Technician & President, Uew Local 20090

    Richard May, the Supply Technician & President, Uew Local 20090 at Fisheries and Oceans Canada, manages critical supply chain functions and represents employee interests. May's dual role ensures the efficient provision of necessary resources for departmental operations, supporting the safeguarding of Canada's waters and the management of its fisheries, oceans, and freshwater resources. This leadership contributes to the operational capacity required for economic growth in marine and fisheries sectors and for advancing innovation in aquaculture and biotechnology. The Supply Technician & President, Uew Local 20090 plays a part in ensuring the effective implementation of initiatives aimed at healthy and sustainable aquatic ecosystems through habitat protection and sound science. Richard May's dedication to both operational efficiency and employee representation strengthens the department's ability to achieve its diverse objectives.

    Alexis McIntyre - Chief of Staff

    Alexis McIntyre, the Chief of Staff at Fisheries and Oceans Canada, provides strategic support and operational coordination for the executive leadership team. This role is central to ensuring the seamless execution of the department's mandate to safeguard waters and manage Canada's fisheries, oceans, and freshwater resources. McIntyre facilitates communication and workflow between various departments, ensuring alignment with objectives that support economic growth in marine and fisheries sectors and foster innovation in aquaculture and biotechnology. The Chief of Staff plays a key part in advancing initiatives for healthy and sustainable aquatic ecosystems through habitat protection and sound science. Alexis McIntyre's organizational skills and strategic insight are vital for managing priorities, resolving operational challenges, and driving the effective implementation of departmental policies and programs. This position ensures the executive office functions with maximum efficiency and impact.

    Kirsten Lawrie - Director, Chief of Staff

    Kirsten Lawrie, the Director, Chief of Staff at Fisheries and Oceans Canada, supports the strategic direction and operational efficiency of the department's leadership. Lawrie's responsibilities focus on enhancing the effectiveness of initiatives aimed at safeguarding Canada's waters and managing its fisheries, oceans, and freshwater resources. This includes facilitating the coordination of efforts that bolster economic growth in marine and fisheries sectors and drive innovation in aquaculture and biotechnology. The Director, Chief of Staff contributes to ensuring the health and sustainability of aquatic ecosystems through habitat protection and the application of scientific expertise. Kirsten Lawrie's role involves managing key projects, streamlining internal processes, and ensuring that the executive team's directives are translated into actionable plans. This leadership ensures robust support for the department's core mission and its commitment to sound environmental stewardship.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Fisheries and Oceans Canada Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Fisheries and Oceans Canada?
    Fisheries and Oceans Canada is led by Lindsay Dale (Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Philippe Benhaim (Co-Chief Executive Officer) and Richard Goodyear (Chief Financial Officer).
    Who is part of Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s executive team?
    The executive team of Fisheries and Oceans Canada includes leaders such as Lindsay Dale (Chief Executive Officer), Philippe Benhaim (Co-Chief Executive Officer), Richard Goodyear (Chief Financial Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Fisheries and Oceans Canada have?
    Fisheries and Oceans Canada has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Fisheries and Oceans Canada includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer, Co-Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Financial Officer & Dirigeante Des Finances Principal, Financial Management Advisor & Chief Financial Officer, Sector & Financial Advisory Services.