Shaping Canada’s Future: Outlooks and Opportunities for Global Trade
Roundtable Luncheon with Sara Wilshaw, Stuart Bergman & Pierre Cléroux
C.D. Howe Institute events and webinars are open to members and their guests.
Please follow this link or contact events@cdhowe.org to register.
Sara Wilshaw, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, International Trade and Chief Trade Commissioner of Canada
A senior government executive with over 30 years of public service experience, Ms. Wilshaw is currently Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, International Trade and Chief Trade Commissioner at Global Affairs Canada. In this role she leads a global team (www.tradecommissioner.gc.ca) that helps Canadian businesses to secure and explore international markets, find new customers and partners, problem solve and grow through exports. Sara also leads work across global trade support services including export finance, inbound foreign investment, inclusive trade and the promotion of responsible business conduct.
Prior to this, Sara served as Director of Operations, Foreign and Defence Policy Secretariat at the Privy Council Office. In this role she provided strategic analysis on matters concerning Canada-U.S. relations, Latin America, trade, climate change, human rights and the United Nations.
Sara’s experience also includes serving as Director General for North America at Global Affairs Canada during the renegotiation of NAFTA, and as Canada’s Consul General in Dallas. She has served abroad as Minister Commercial at the High Commission of Canada in India, at Canada’s Permanent Mission to the World Trade Organization in Geneva, and at the Embassy of Canada in Japan.
Ms. Wilshaw is a graduate of York University’s International Relations and Economics program. She is married and has two children.
Stuart Bergman, Vice-President & Chief Economist, Export Development Canada
Stuart Bergman is Vice President & Chief Economist at Export Development Canada (EDC). Mr. Bergman joined EDC in 2003, and since has held various leadership positions, including Vice President, ESG, Deputy Chief Economist, Director of the Economic & Political Intelligence Centre, Director of Corporate Strategy and Director of the Research and Analysis Division.
Mr. Bergman is responsible for overseeing EDC’s economic analysis and forecasting, global markets intelligence and corporate research groups. In addition to advising EDC’s senior management and Board of Directors, Mr. Bergman is a featured speaker at conferences, international roundtables and policy fora, and regularly appears in television, radio and print media commenting on the world economy and Canadian international trade issues. He produces a widely circulated print and video weekly commentary covering a range of global economic and business issues.
Prior to joining EDC, Mr. Bergman worked for Zurich Emerging Markets Solutions and the Foreign Policy Institute, in Washington, DC. He completed his graduate studies in International Economics and International Relations at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies. He currently resides in Ottawa, with his wife and three children.
Pierre Cléroux, Vice President, Research and Chief Economist, Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)
Pierre Cléroux was appointed Vice President, Research and Chief Economist at BDC in 2012.
Pierre leads a team of experts who analyze economic data to identify business and sector trends impacting Canadian entrepreneurs. A seasoned speaker, he helps business owners understand the risks and opportunities presented by the economic environment.
Mr. Cléroux is also responsible for providing economic analysis and advice to the Bank’s senior management team and supervises all marketing and industry research activities. Over his 25-year career as an economist, he has held several influential positions that had a direct impact on entrepreneurs in Canada and abroad.
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