Minister of Finance Jim Flaherty today announced the nomination of Samy Watson as executive director of the World Bank representing Canada, Ireland and the Caribbean, and the re-nomination of Jonathan Fried as executive director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for the same constituency.

“The IMF and World Bank are critically important institutions for promoting financial stability and reducing poverty across the globe,” said Flaherty. “I am confident both Mr. Watson and Mr. Fried will serve Canada well in their important roles in these institutions.”

Currently special advisor to the Privy Council Office, Watson has extensive experience within the Government of Canada, including as Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and Deputy Minister of Environment Canada. Watson succeeds current World Bank executive director for Canada, Ireland and the Caribbean Marcel Massé, whose term ends on October 31. Massé has held the post for the past four years.

Fried has been the IMF’s Executive Director for Canada, Ireland and the Caribbean since April 2006, after recently serving as head of the global affairs and Canada-United States secretariats in the Privy Council Office. He has also served in numerous senior positions with international responsibilities in the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade as well as the Department of Finance, including as Canada’s Group of Seven Finance Deputy.