Arun Thangaraj

Deputy Minister of Transport Canada, (Canada)

Arun Thangaraj was appointed Canada’s Deputy Minister of Transport on February 20, 2023. 

Before joining Transport Canada, Arun was the Associate Deputy Minister at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, following two years as the Associate Deputy Minister at Transport Canada. 

Before these roles, he was Assistant Deputy Minister and Chief Financial Officer at Global Affairs Canada and was the Deputy Chief Financial Officer at the former Canadian International Development Agency. He also brings experience and knowledge on transportation issues from his time at the Canadian Transportation Agency from 2002 to 2011. Arun has served various governance boards. 

Arun received the Queen Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2013 and the King Charles III Coronation Medal in 2025 for his contribution to the federal public service and to his community.  

Arun is a Chartered Professional Accountant and holds a Master of Arts in Public Administration from Carleton University, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Ottawa, and a B.A. (Honours) in Political Science from the University of Toronto.