Robert Taylor Email & Phone Number

After semi-retiring as the CEO of the Institute of Public Administration of Canada, Dr. Taylor started his own consulting practice (Strategy Boutique). The firm is focused on providing support to initiatives involving professional practices such as strategic planning, land use, public policy and organizational development and transformation. The practice also engages in training, research and international development activities. On behalf of the European Union, Dr. Taylor is currently leading a team of experts assisting the Government of South Africa revitalize its National School of Government which provides basic and executive training to public servants at all levels across the country. Other recent activities include delivering executive leadership training with the York Region District School Board and providing technical support to a public service transformation project for the Government of the People’s Republic of Mongolia. Dr. Taylor also taught with the School of Policy Studies at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario where his studies include strategic planning, commissioning and human-centred design thinking.

IPAC is Canada's pre-eminent organization dedicated to excellence in public service across all levels of government. The Institute is a membership-based organization and the CEO reports directly to a national Board of Directors made up of senior executives from governments across the country. IPAC pursues its mission in Canada and internationally by sharing public sector knowledge and experience through training, seminars, webinars, workshops and conferences, along with a large number of consultancies. IPAC contributes to the research and study of issues in public administration, management and public policy; including the publication of books, a quarterly journal and magazine. The Institute has undertaken numerous domestic and international projects in support of excellence of public administration. The CEO is responsible for oversight of the entire organization and its activities including financial, HR and strategic planning and assists directly with program implementation. The CEO has led numerous missions and conducted training and capacity building sessions on a variety of subject areas such as leadership, change management, policy development, strategic planning, local government restructuring, alternative service delivery modelling, ethics and values, human resource, etc.

Toronto, On, Ca

The Municipal Services Division is a policy and operational organization and is the Ministry’s primary liaison with Ontario’s 444 municipalities, and municipal and building sector stakeholders. The Assistant Deputy Minister provides strategic direction and co-ordination for the delivery of services in the areas of local government, land use planning, housing, and building regulation. The ADM provides leadership to staff of the Division (approximately 250) including five regional Municipal Services Offices (MSO’s) across the Province, the Municipal Programs and Education Branch, and the Building and Development Branch, and is also responsible for the Office of the Brownfields Coordinator, municipal transfer payments, and emergency disaster assistance.

The Assistant Deputy Minister provides overall direction and leadership for Ontario’s Ministry of Research & Innovation. The Ministry was created to focus on the government’s commitment to innovation as the driver of growth across all sectors of the economy. The Ministry’s mandate is to develop an integrated innovation strategy and guide its delivery, invest in both policies and programs to deliver on the innovation strategy, foster a culture of innovation and showcase Ontario’s innovative culture, nationally and internationally. The Ministry supports the innovation agenda by providing leadership and resources for basic and applied research (universities, colleges and research hospitals), commercialisation of ideas to market, and for outreach and marketing. The ADM led the development of Ontario’s first Innovation Strategy and supported the Minister’s Council on economic development (including the administration of several grant programs). In addition to the supervision of all staff (approximately 300), the ADM provided direct support to the Deputy Minister, Minister, political staff and a broad group of stakeholders. The ADM also represented the Province at international trade and economic development conferences and forums.

Ontario, Ca

The Director provides overall direction and leadership of Branch responsibilities including the Province-wide management of crown lands and waters, aggregates & petroleum resources, renewable energy (wind & water power), and emergency management for natural hazards (flooding, droughts, etc.). The Branch manages a suite of relevant legislation (such as the Public Lands Act and the Ontario Waters Resources Act) and sets policy direction for all program areas including guidance, compliance and monitoring mechanisms for implementation. Overall direction is provided for the management of (public) lands and waters in the Province including conservation, stewardship, planning and allocation. During this period, acted as the Provincial lead for negotiations on the development and signing of the Great Lakes Charter Annex agreement between Ontario, Quebec and eight Great Lake States (for the protection of the waters of the Great Lakes). The Branch employs approximately 250 staff with an annual budget of $95 million.

Ontario, Ca

The Director was the lead for the development of a comprehensive strategic plan for the Ministry of Natural Resources. The initiative involved examining the Ministry’s strategic directions and organizational design to ensure that they reflect current and future needs, particularly with respect to key Government priorities. Reporting directly to the Deputy Minister, these efforts led to change considerations for the policy, program and organizational design of the Ministry including the creation of several new business units. Incorporated into this assignment was leadership for the Ministry’s response to results-based planning and related business planning processes.

Ontario, Ca

The Manager of the Southcentral Region Planning Unit is responsible for leading the development and co-ordination of the Ministry’s involvement in resource management and planning initiatives, along with environmental assessment activities throughout Southern Ontario. This included management of a large team of professionals (approximately 40) including planners, biologists, foresters and engineers. The Manager played a significant role in the delivery of an expanded parks and protected areas program (entitled ‘Lands for Life’) that led to the largest expansion to Ontario’s provincial parks system.

As the in-country team leader, assisted with the management of a CIDA-funded initiative to develop and implement a comprehensive environmental programme with Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Mines, Environment and Tourism. The programme included the development of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) policy, a new Environmental Management Act, a National Environmental Action Plan (NEAP), a natural resource information management system (GIS), State-of-the-Environment reporting and strategic planning exercises for the Ministry and its departments/parastatals. In addition to direct program delivery, the Team Leader was also responsible for supervision of the in-country team of professionals, liaison with Government officials and managing the relationship with CIDA (now Global Affairs Canada) and Canadian High Commission representatives.

Doctor Of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Master'S Degree - Urban & Regional Planning

Honours Bach., Urban Geography/Environmental Studies