Hatch (www.hatch.com) is a Canadian-headquartered multinational engineering & advisory firm with 9,000 staff based in 27 countries with projects around the world. Hatch is the world's foremost engineering firm in the area of metals and minerals extraction and processing and it has deep strength in energy and large infrastructure works. In this role, I created a global government affairs and regulatory function where none had previously existed with focus areas in Canada, Australia, South Africa, the United States, Germany, Brazil and Chile. In addition to building relationships with operational units, I required close cooperation with legal, marketing & communications and business development teams.

Engaged in a limited number of consulting assignments, which included: • Completed a seven-month engagement as the Executive Director, Public Affairs at the Ontario Medical Association (www.oma.org) to restore stability following a bitterly contested vote where physicians rejected a tentative contract with the Ontario government by a 2:1 margin. Reporting to the CEO, led a department of 27 people and a $9m budget. Responsible for internal (member) and external communications, media relations, government relations, marketing, stakeholder management and online content development. After restoring some stability to the OMA, I helped the organization recruit a permanent successor. From being in total disarray on my arrival, the Association achieved an agreement on binding arbitration with the province shortly after my departure in April 2017.• Served as the Vice-Chair and General Counsel to the 2018 Leadership Campaign for Caroline Mulroney. This was a five week campaign, which promoted Ms. Mulroney to the membership of approximately 200,000 with a $1m budget.• Engaged by an international law firm to help build the relationship between their Canadian and Chinese offices and increase this business relationship.• Providing public policy advice to a number of corporations with significant regulatory issues.• A limited legal practice, assisting clients with regulatory and ethics compliance issues and contractual drafting.

Air Canada is a publicly listed company (TSE:AC) with $13 billion in annual revenue and 27,000 employees across the globe. Reporting to CEO, responsible for Air Canada’s relations with governments at all levels both in Canada and the United States, industry association involvement and community presence. Coordinating responsibility for overall regulatory approach – which involved coordination with all operating parts of the company. Served on the Management Pension Committee, providing advice to the Pension Committee of the Board of Directors on the management of $15 billion in pension assets.Principal accomplishments at Air Canada included regulations exempting Air Canada from normal pension payment rules saving billions of dollars in avoided expense, regulatory changes producing millions of dollars in operational cost savings, successful opposition to a competitor’s expansion plans which required regulatory changes and visa changes which have facilitated the growth of Air Canada’s international connection operations. Internationally, I focused on border process improvements with US government agencies and developing relationships with US elected officials and kept up some of my contacts in China. At home, I worked closely with our communications and marketing teams to begin to engage with some of the communities that Air Canada serves.

As one of the most senior members of the Prime Minister’s staff, I was involved in both the management of the PMO and all advice provided to the Prime Minister. My direct reports and personal responsibility covered the Regional and Parliamentary Affairs, Appointments and Policy teams along with federal / provincial relations, although I was involved in all aspects of this unique office, which has oversight of the whole of the federal government, from its overall strategic direction to the implementation of policy, the communications approach and management of issues on a day to day basis. I travelled with the Prime Minister on all domestic and most international visits, including his landmark visit to China in 2012.

As the principal advisor to Canada’s Minister of Finance, I was intricately involved in the decision making process leading to the 2008, 2009 and 2010 Budgets and the 2007 and 2008 Fall Economic Statements. I was responsible for a staff of 29 and an office budget of $3.1 million. In this role, I was involved in the highest levels of government decision making, including Minister Flaherty’s international (G7, G20, IMF/World Bank) responsibilities during the height of the 2009 recession.

My practice at Gowlings (and its predecessor firm, Smith Lyons) was primarily a commercial litigation practice with a broad mix of clients. My mentors were Frank Marrocco, Q.C. and Glenn Hainey, both now judges of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice.• My principal focus was on commercial disputes in matters such as Meade v. Nelson Resources Ltd., [2005] O.J. No. 5164 (S.C.J.) and Re the Lamberts (in Bankruptcy) (2002), 60 O.R. (3d) 787 (C.A.)• I also handled a number of administrative and criminal / quasi criminal matters, such as Gardner v. Ontario Civilian Commission on Police Services (2004), 72 O.R. (3d) 285 (Div. Ct.); see also [2004] O.J. No. 2422 and 2423 (Div.Ct.); tribunal decision unreported.• Class Proceedings Act litigation was also a part of my practice - CIBC et al. v. Deloitte & Touche, [2002] O.J. No. 2858 (S.C.J.) and (2003), 33 C.P.C. (5th) 127 (Div. Ct.)• I was part of the team that represented the Government of Ontario in the Walkerton Inquiry, Report of Commissioner the Hon. Dennis R. O’Connor (Toronto: Queen’s Printer, May 2002)• And, finally I had an enjoyable, but unprofitable practice in election law.