In think the French "SoS" would be the Interior Minister, so Manuel Valls. Mixed. He's a pompous Moderate Hero (kinda of the Evan Bayh type, ie a guy who tries much too hard to look like the sound centrist and distance himself from the rest of his party every time he has an occasion). On the other hand, he's generally a competent guy and has always done the job he's been given pretty well. He's also a good speaker, and beyond the moderate-heroish fluff I think he does have convictions.
He is much of an improvement compared to Guéant/Hortefeux, through.
I suppose than the Canadian equivalent is the Chief Electoral Officer of Canada.
It's a public servant, with a very long term. Since the position was created in 1920, there was 6 of them. To give you an idea, their terms lasted 8, 23, 18, 25 and 18 years. The current is there is 2007, Marc Mayrand, which was Superintendant of Bankruptcy before that.
His job is to be neutral, discreet and competent, so I suppose never hearing of him is good.
