Having completed a Ph.D. in 1976, Bruce Gracie has worked in a variety of capacities in the Canadian federal government responsible for telecommunications and information technology matters. He also participated in an exchange programme with the Australian Department of Communications over a period of 2 years. His current duties include chairmanships of various government/industry committees focused on the preparations for ITU conferences and assemblies (such as the 2010 Plenipotentiary Conference, the 2010 World Telecommunication Development Conference, WRC-2011, and the 2008 World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly). Among his recent responsibilities at ITU were the following: Chairman of the Finance and Administration Committee at the 2002 Plenipotentiary Conference, Chairman of the 2006 Council, Chairman of the Radiocommunication Advisory Group from 2000 to 2007, Chairman of the 2007 Radiocommunication Assembly, and he was Chairman of the Commonwealth ITU Group.

His current responsibilities include serving as ITU Councillor for Canada, as well as Chairman of the Council Group on the Financial Regulations and Chairman of the Council Tripartite Group on Human Resources Management. He has been a member of the Council Troika since 2005.