Executive Exchange Chats: Timely Decision-Making in a Rapidly Changing Environment

Date: October 21, 2026
Register Now!

Timely Decision-Making in a Rapidly Changing Environment

“In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.” – Theodore Roosevelt

Have you decided to think strategically about how you make decisions?

Led by facilitator Patrick Lefort, Director General at Employment and Social Development Canada, participants in this chat session will explore how to make faster, more sound, defensible and adaptable decisions. By sharing his real-life examples, Patrick will guide participants through three perspectives that allow for improved decision-making:

1. Clarity of Intent (What matters most?)
2. Quality of Insight (What do we know?)
3. Courage & Accountability (Are we ready to act?)

If ‘indecision is eventually a decision’, learn how to think quickly about the impact your choice to act or not will have on situations and on others, and to consider the potential consequences and outcomes before making the leap.

Event Details

Location: Virtual via Microsoft Teams. All participants will receive a detailed confirmation email upon registration

Cost: This is a free event

Audience: All Public Service executives across Canada and internationally are invited to attend APEX’s learning events. Maximum group size is 12 participants – first come, first served.

Language: Bilingual

Date & Time: October 21, 2026, from 12:30 to 14:00 ET

Location:  Virtual – Microsoft Teams

Date & Time: November 25, 2026, from 12:30 to 14:00 ET

Location:  Virtual – Microsoft Teams

Meet the Speaker

Supporting communities, claimants and businesses is very rewarding for Patrick Lefort. Embodying the spirit of public service, he is passionate about managing operations in the regions and shows his leadership in managing a team of managers and employees for whom service excellence is a priority.

Recruited in 2004 through the external component of the Management Trainee Program, he held various management positions at the Programs Branch and the Benefits Delivery Services Branch (BDSB). Over a five-year period, he enhanced his experience in operations management in a law enforcement environment at the Canada Border Services Agency, before coming back to ESDC in 2018. He has held the position of Director General of BDSB since March 2020.

In the spirit of collegiality, Patrick is eager to share his experience during mentoring activities, which he sees as opportunities to improve his management skills. He also focuses on listening to his colleagues and collaborators to broaden his perspective and improve services to the public. He believes that mental health and work/life balance play a key role in a balanced life. As such, jogs on a regular basis.

In terms of education, Mr. Lefort holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in science, a bachelor of business administration in human resources management, a certificate in communications and a graduate diploma in management.

MEMBERSHIPNot an APEX Member?