Msgr. Powers was born in Montreal where he spent his early years. Before entering the seminary in Ottawa, he worked for a major Canadian company as employment and personnel services manager. He was ordained priest in 1986.

Msgr. Powers has served the Archdiocese of Ottawa in a number of posts, including Episcopal Vicar for Administration, Vicar General, and Rector of Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica.

He has also served outside the Archdiocese, both as a member of the Insurance Management Board of the Ontario Assembly of Catholic Bishops and as president of the Canadian Canon Law Society from 2002 to 2004.