A Tale of Three Industries – How Tariffs have Impacted Canadian Businesses

Roundtable Luncheon with Kristian Aquilina, Linda Hasenfratz and Max Koeune.

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.

Kristian Aquilina, President & Managing Director, General Motors of Canada

Kristian Aquilina was appointed GM Canada president and managing director in January 2024, reporting to Duncan Aldred, senior vice president and president of GM North America.

Kristian leads GM Canada at a pivotal time of transformation, as the industry continues to usher in electrification and the company builds on investments in Canadian manufacturing, EV supply chain and software development work.

Kristian joined GM Canada in 2023 as vice president of vehicle sales, service, and marketing, bringing his global experience and perspective to the GM Canada dealer network and the entire GM Canada enterprise. Under his leadership, GM Canada led the industry in vehicle sales for 2023 – the first time since 2009 – and held that lead in 2024. GM Canada is also the top seller of electric vehicle for the first half of 2025.

Prior to joining GM Canada, Kristian was the managing director of Cadillac International Operations and Cadillac Middle East. During this time, he led Cadillac’s strategy across certain international markets as well as its operational activities in the Middle East and achieved strong profitability growth while laying the groundwork for an electric future in the region.

In his 25 years with General Motors, Kristian has held several leadership roles in sales and marketing as well as business unit leadership including as managing director for Holden, New Zealand and executive director of sales and marketing at GM Holden. He was appointed chairman and managing director GM Holden in 2019 and led the transition of the business to the newly formed General Motors Australia and New Zealand. 

Kristian holds both an MBA and a Postgraduate Diploma in Management from the Melbourne Business School as well as a Bachelor of Arts from RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia. Kristian and his wife Megan live in Toronto with their three children, Benjamin, Raphael, and Jasmine.

Linda Hasenfratz, Executive Chair, Linamar

Linda Hasenfratz has made significant strides at Linamar Corporation both as CEO and now as Executive Chair. Under her leadership, Linamar has maintained its position as a global, diversified manufacturing powerhouse, focusing on the automotive, access equipment, and harvesting equipment markets. Her tenure has been marked by strategic initiatives aimed at growing the business globally, diversifying its markets and products, driving sustainability at every level and enhancing the company's operational efficiency.

In addition to her responsibilities at Linamar, Hasenfratz has played a pivotal role in various influential organizations. Her leadership and contributions have been recognized through various accolades and appointments.

She has been a member of the Board of Advisors for Catalyst Canada since 2003 and currently serves as the Chair. Her commitment to advancing women in business has been a lifelong pursuit, from grass roots initiatives to attract more women into STEM and leadership roles to more formal roles such as acting as the Canadian Chair of the Canada-United States Council for Advancement of Women Entrepreneurs and Business Leaders in 2017.

Hasenfratz's influence extends beyond the corporate world into significant advisory roles. She currently sits on the Prime Minister of Canada’s Council on Canada-US Relations.  She also was a member of Minister Freeland’s NAFTA Advisory Council during the NAFTA renegotiations in 2018 and served as Chair of the North American Competitiveness Council in 2008, showcasing her expertise in international trade and economic policy. 

Hasenfratz served on the board of CIBC from 2004 to 2020, including four years as the Chair of their Management Resources Compensation Committee. Hasenfratz was the first female Director on the Forvia (formerly Faurecia) Board of Directors, where she served from 2011 to 2021, including four years as the Chair of the Compensation Committee. She joined the AEM board in 2018, served as Treasurer from 2021 to 2023, and currently holds the position of Chair.

Hasenfratz's dedication to excellence and her impact on the business community have earned her numerous honors. She was named EY Entrepreneur of the Year for Canada in 2014, inducted into the Canadian Business Hall of Fame in 2016, named Canada’s Outstanding CEO of the Year in 2018 and was inducted into the Order of Canada that same year. She has been similarly recognized in both France with the honour of Chevalier dans l’Ordre National de la Légion d'Honneur, and in Hungary with the honour of the Knight’s Cross of the Order of Merit.  Her term as the 23rd Chancellor of the University of Western Ontario concluded in June 2023, capping off a period of significant contributions to both the academic and business worlds.

Max Koeune, President & CEO, McCain Foods

As President and Chief Executive Officer of McCain Foods, Max leads a global workforce of 23,000 across 160 countries, delivering innovative, high-quality potato and snacking products. He also serves on the Board of Directors, contributing to the company’s long-term strategic direction.

Since joining McCain in 2012, Max has played a pivotal role in expanding its global footprint. He was appointed President and CEO in November 2017, following his tenure as Chief Financial Officer, where he oversaw Finance, Treasury, Tax, IT, Legal, and Procurement. He continues to champion McCain’s  purpose: celebrating real connections through food that is both flavorful and planetfriendly. 

With over 25 years of experience in the global consumer goods industry, Max has held a range of senior executive positions at Danone and McCain. His career has been marked by international leadership roles across France, Switzerland, Mexico, the United States, and Canada, reflecting his deep expertise in navigating diverse markets and cultures. He began his professional journey in investment banking at Barings Brothers, building a strong foundation in finance before transitioning into the consumer goods sector.

Max currently serves on the Board of the Consumer Goods Forum (CGF), a global network of over 400 retailers, manufacturers, and service providers working collaboratively to address key industry challenges such as sustainability, health, food safety, and data transparency. He is also a board member of Pernod Ricard, a leading global spirits company listed on the Paris Stock Exchange.

He holds a Master of Commerce degree from École Supérieure de Commerce de Paris. Originally from Luxembourg, Max has been living in Toronto since 2012 with his wife and three children.