Harper Names New Associate Deputy Ag Minister

Apr 24, 2013

Timothy Sargent, one of the Senior Ranks Announced in Public Service Shuffle

Prime Minister Stephen Harper recently announced some changes in the senior ranks of the public service, including to Agriculture Canada. Harper has named Timothy Sargent, acting Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet (Operations), Privy Council Office, to become Associate Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, starting April 29, 2013. Sargent will be replacing Claude Carrière, former Associate Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, who has retired from the public service after 33-years.

While Agriculture Canada’s new head doesn’t have a background in agriculture, Sargent has ties to the finance department and the centre of government control. He worked as a senior economist at the finance department from 1994 to 2008, before moving to the Privy Council, which is the prime minister’s central government bureaucracy.

In addition to the new appointments, Harper also thanked a number of public servants who are retiring, including Brian Evans, former chief veterinary officer for Canada and vice-president of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Evans was with the agency during the BSC crisis and was also Canada’s first chief food safety officer.

Video: Winter Service Inspections for John Deere Equipment - The FarmCast Ep64

The FarmCast, host Troy Randall speaks with Doug Luedke, Vice President of Service, and Davin Peterson, Executive Vice President of Aftermarket at 21st Century Equipment, to discuss the importance of proactive service and how it helps farmers reduce downtime during their busiest seasons. The conversation focuses on the Winter Service Inspection Program, a comprehensive approach designed to keep equipment running at peak performance and limit costly in-season breakdowns through preventative maintenance and expert technician support.

Doug and Devin explain how 21st Century Equipment’s service teams have evolved to meet the needs of today’s connected machines. With more technology and data integrated into modern equipment, technicians now play a vital role in both mechanical repairs and precision ag support. Through advanced diagnostics, machine monitoring, and John Deere’s Expert Alerts, they can identify and address potential issues before they become major problems—saving customers valuable time, money, and frustration.

Throughout the discussion, the team shares real-world success stories demonstrating how proactive inspections and customer-focused service help maximize uptime and efficiency for every operation. Whether it’s a large tractor, combine, or small mower, the goal remains the same: to provide trusted, reliable support that helps farmers and landowners stay productive and confident in their equipment year-round.