Frank Assu

Owner/President Lak’Was Wildfire Water Service LTD.

Senior Program Policy Analyst with Transport Canada and a Member of Canada’s Free Agents

I am an Indeterminate EC-06 Senior Program Policy Analyst with the Free Agent Program at Transport Canada.  I have been in this position since August 2018.  I am currently on assignment with Canadian Heritage working on the Many Voices One Mind initiative.  I am looking for a new indeterminate position.

I am a member of the We Wai Kai First Nation, of the Kwakwaka’wakw tribes of British Columbia and experienced public servant who excels in creating and guiding innovative approaches to complex problem spaces. Federal departmental champion for key initiatives such as the free agent program, FlexGC and Faces of the GC.  As well as Regional Co-Manager of GovernexxVI, a member of the Federal Youth Network.

After graduating from Brentwood in 1991 I continued working as a commercial salmon and herring fisherman (I started at age 14) while also playing Division I soccer in Victoria and attending Camosun College then the University of Victoria.  Once my commercial fishing career was complete after 21 years, I returned to school and graduated from Vancouver Island University and earned my Bachelor of Education Degree.  I taught in Richmond, BC and the Comox Valley School District for almost three years before beginning my federal public service career.

From 2009-2014, I was a Search and Rescue Deckhand with the Canadian Coast Guard, as a casual employee working out of Campbell River, French Creek, Bamfield, Tofino, and Powell River.  I attained a permanent position with Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) from 2014-2018 as a Border Services Officer.  Working across several modes (air, highway, marine, and rail) I was responsible for upholding over 100 Acts and Regulations relating to processing of people and goods across the Canadian border. As a member of the CBSA I became a specialist in both regulatory enforcement and policy interpretation.  

Since August 2018 I have had increasing demanding and complex roles with Indigenous Services Canada (ISC), Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), Public Service and Procurement Canada (PSPC), Canada School of Public Service (CSPS), and Service Canada (SC).  I have developed guidance for national implementation of hybrid and flexible work arrangement strategies; drafted a five-year national fire prevention strategy for First Nation Communities; provided strategic advice and recommendations to senior management (director level and above); and developed and maintained positive relationships with internal and external networks within the public service and external to the public service. In December 2023 I was Elected as an EC Director for the CAPE Union's National Executive Committee for a three year term.

I am passionate about open and transparent work. I also enjoy and am successful assisting diverse groups with consensus and relationship building.  Over the past few years, I have also been asked to sit on various panels for the BC Innovation Fair, Canada School of Public Service Virtual Power Chat, and Federal Youth Network Learning Series, and the BC Federal Council Virtual National Public Service Week events.

I currently own my own Indigenous Wildfire Tactical Water Tender business which deploys with BC Wildfire Service fighting wildfires. The company was formed in October 2022, and became operational in July 2023.  

I am married with four adult children and two grand-daughters. I enjoy travelling (Europe primarily) fishing, hiking (Did the Tour du Mont Blanc in 2022), fishing, and photography.  One of my passions is mentoring, I have mentored numerous public servants and aspiring public servants as they entered or began their federal public service careers.

Links:

Professional water supply for wildfire situations

lakwaswildfirewaterservice.ca