Mark Pearson Email & Phone Number

Mattawa, Ontario, Ca

Appointed Executive Director of the Canadian Institute of Forestry in 2019. Founded in 1908, the Institute is the national voice of forest practitioners and represents foresters, forest technologists and technicians, ecologists, biologists, educators and many others with a professional interest in forestry through its 1200 members in 17 regional Sections and an International Forestry Network. The Institute is dedicated to providing national leadership in forestry and forest stewardship, promoting competency amongst forest practitioners and fostering education and public awareness of sustainable forest management through its capacity building and knowledge exchange programs. The Institute is a proud partner with the Centre for Social Intelligence on Free to Grow in Forestry – a transformational initiative that aims to achieve gender equality and meaningful inclusion of women, Indigenous peoples, and new Canadians at all levels from technical to executive level positions in the forest sector.

Ottawa, On, Ca

As the Department's Lead for Strategic Planning, developed three reports tabled in Parliament: Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy, Departmental Results Report, and Departmental Plan. As the Department's Deputy Chief Results Officer: worked effectively with government departments and central agencies to report on progress against the Minister’s mandate letter commitments on the publicly-accessible Mandate Letter Tracker of the Privy Council Office.As the Department's Head of Performance Measurement, led development of new Departmental Results Framework, and established and implemented the Deputy Minister-led Performance Measurement, Evaluation and Experimentation Committee (PMEEC). In spring 2019, I presented the inaugural Natural Resources Canada State of Performance Measurement Report to PMEEC.Played a key leadership role in shaping strategic input to the Horizontal Business Review on Innovation and Clean Technology – highlighted in Canada’s Budget 2018. Provided management oversight of the Natural Resources Canada's Free Agents Program that recruits innovators to move on assignment anywhere in government to help advance innovative and time-sensitive projects.Represented Canada on the International Board of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative; Chaired the EITI Validation Committee.As Head of Evaluation, developed the Department's Five Year Evaluation Plan and collaborated effectively with the Chief Audit Officer to transfer the Strategic Evaluation Division to the new Audit and Evaluation Branch.Managed a staff of 60 employees and a budget of $6M.

Ottawa, On, Ca

Led strategic planning of the annual Energy and Mines Ministers' Conference.Undertook research on trade and developed international strategies and ministerial missions.Led international and Indigenous engagement concerning Extractive Sector Transparency Measures Act. Represented Canada on the International Board of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative; Chaired the EITI Validation Committee.Collaborated effectively with the Chief Scientist to transfer the Environmental Assessment Division to the Office of the Chief Scientist. Managed a staff of 40 employees and a budget of $4M.

Ottawa, On, Ca

Designed and staffed organizational structure for External Relations Branch; established single departmental window for international and intergovernmental affairs, and environmental assessment.Led development of strategic international framework and country/regional strategies. Developed Ministerial Engagement Strategy and led development of successful Ministerial missions to Asia, Europe and the Middle East. Led a natural gas export mission of federal and provincial government executives, regulators, service providers and project proponents to Korea, Japan and China. Led engagement with Indian and Northern Affairs Canada on successful funding proposals ($1M) under the Strategic Partnerships Initiative in support of Aboriginal Economic Development.Led departmental preparations in support of the Energy and Mines Ministers' Conference. Led policy work underpinning Prime Minister’s 2013 G8 commitment on mandatory reporting legislation. Advised Cabinet and Parliamentary Committees, from G8 preparations to policy development through to the coming into force of the Extractive Sector Transparency Measures Act in June 2015. Chaired multi-stakeholder working group that developed Guidance and Technical Reporting Specifications. Actively promoted international alignment with EU and U.S. Led extensive compliance promotion with oil, gas and mining companies, associations, accounting and law firms to create conditions for successful reporting. Led Indigenous engagement and program framework.Represented Canada on International Board of Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative; Chair/member of Validation Committee.Represented Canada on the Policy and Implementation Committee of Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate. Managed staff of 45 employees and a budget of $4.5M.

Ottawa, On, Ca

Reported directly to the Deputy Minister for a specified three-month assignment.Led successful development of a policy proposal ($150M over five years), Cabinet Directive and Treasury Board submission to improve the performance of the federal regulatory system for natural resource projects, including the creation of Canada’s Major Projects Management Office. Achieved through strategic engagement with political staff, the Privy Council Office, industry, Indigenous organizations and civil society, and by chairing an Assistant Deputy Minister Committee of nine departments and agencies in support of the Deputy Ministers’ Task Force on Regulatory Improvement.Provided strategic advice to the Deputy Minister on transitioning to, and implementation of a more integrated science and policy organization – the new Science and Policy Integration Sector. Participated as member in the Department’s Management Committee and Labour Management Committee.Managed a staff of 100 employees and a budget of $13M.

Ottawa, On, Ca

Provided strategic policy advice, advancement of departmental Cabinet business, and strategic engagement of stakeholders to improve the performance of the federal regulatory system for natural resource projects.Led the successful development of Department’s federal Budget Strategy.Developed a coherent Departmental approach to freshwater.Led successful proposal to address the Government of Canada’s Paper Burden Reduction Commitment. Recruited 42 graduates as lead for Department’s Policy Analyst Recruitment and Development Program. Delegated by the Assistant Deputy Minister to manage sector staff of 100 employees and a budget of $13M.

Ottawa, On, Ca

Led Department’s Sustainable Strategy for tabling in Parliament by the Minister, and in consultation with federal departments, governments, industry, Indigenous organizations, civil society and academia.Developed and delivered innovative policy course on sustainable development to raise awareness and increase capacity to support the Department’s mandate.Led Department’s preparations and participation in key multi-lateral fora, such the United Nations Commission on Sustainable development and World Summit on Sustainable Development.Led interdepartmental policy research on corporate social responsibility.Led preparations and on-the-ground implementation of Ministerial visit to China and business development mission to India – involving over 50 representatives from the private sector, federal and provincial organizations, resulting in the signing of private sector contracts amounting to $163M, and government and private sectors MOUs, and contributing to the Government of Canada’s objective of re-engaging India.Led development of Department’s Values Statement, and Values and Ethics Framework to promote shared values and to help guide employees in their interactions and professional conduct.Managed a staff of 15 employees and a budget of $2.5M.

Ottawa, On, Ca

Developed strategic priorities for Department’s engagement in the federal Smart Regulation Initiative. Led Department’s engagement in the Five Year Review of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act and renewal of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act – both of which required me to provide the Deputy Minister and the Minister with policy advice and recommendations.Implemented and reported progress on Natural Resources Canada’s Sustainable Development Strategy.Managed a staff of eight employees and a budget of $1M.

Ottawa, On, Ca

Led the development and implementation of Natural Resources Canada’s first Sustainable Development Strategy and associated performance measurement framework.

Ottawa, On, Ca

Led the development of the report, Energy Efficiency Trends in Canada, first such publication produced in Canada, assisting policy makers to evaluate their responses to climate change and sustainable development.Led economic and environmental analysis underpinning Canada’s first minimum efficiency regulations for energy-using equipment, including successful negotiation with industry to obtain analytical data.

Oslo, Oslo, No

Represented Canada on the International Board of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, an internationally developed, voluntary initiative involving governments, civil society and industry that strengthens governance mechanisms by improving transparency and accountability in the transfer of payments between oil, gas and mining industries and host governments. Chaired the Validation Committee, comprising members of the multi-stakeholder EITI Board to: develop a new validation model to better support the EITI Standard; lead the review of country validation reports; and make recommendations to the Board for decision.

Conducted energy end-use analysis of energy efficiency improvements in equipment and buildings in the residential and commercial sectors of the economy.

Began career in July 1985 with Energy, Mines and Resources as an Economist in the area of Renewable Energy, Undertook cost-benefit analysis of renewable energy technologies (e.g., solar, PV, wind, hydro and biomass including ethanol).

Conducted economic analysis of renewable energy technologies.

Ottawa, On, Ca

Conducted economic analysis in support of the Director, Biomass Energy Division. Surveyed manufacturers of residential wood heating equipment and analyzed the impact of the Canada Oil Substitution Program on the wood heating market.

Honours Bachelor’S Degree, Economics

Bachelor’S Degree, Economics