Financing Defence at Scale: Spending, Procurement and Industrial Capacity

Roundtable Luncheon with Mike Bonner, The Honourable Peter MacKay and Ravi Singh.

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.

Mike Bonner, Head, Personal & Business Banking Canada, BMO Financial Group

The Honourable Peter MacKay, Executive Advisor, Deloitte

The Honourable Peter MacKay, PC, QC, is a distinguished Canadian public servant, lawyer, and strategic advisor. With over 18 years in Parliament, Peter has held senior Cabinet positions including Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Minister of National Defence, and Minister of Foreign Affairs. He was the Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada. He brings unparalleled experience in defense modernization, justice reform, economic development, and Canadian politics.

At Deloitte, Peter serves as an Executive Advisor in the Growth Office, Clients & Industries, offering national and international perspectives in sectors such as aerospace, defence, procurement, and infrastructure. He is also Counsel with Atlantic Canadian law firm McInnes Cooper and serves on several National & International boards supporting veterans, children, and public policy. Peter is dedicated to public service, community engagement, and advancing Canada’s interests at home and abroad.

Ravi Singh, Director General, Defence Industrial Strategy, Department of National Defence

Ravi S. K. Singh is a senior public servant with over two decades of experience leading policy, governance, and transformation initiatives across the Government of Canada. He has worked provincially, and federally across central agencies including TBS and PCO, and large and small departments, advising prime ministers, ministers, deputy ministers, and senior industry leaders on complex issues including national security, economic development, corporate accountability, and international affairs.

Known for his thoughtful, collaborative leadership, Ravi brings a steady, values-driven approach to public service. He combines strategic foresight with a commitment to inclusion, integrity, and practical results. His leadership philosophy centers on clarity, care, and accountability—anchored in the belief that good governance is not only about systems and outcomes, but also about how people are led through change.

Ravi holds a Master’s in Urban and Rural Planning from Dalhousie University and a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Geography from the University of Winnipeg. He is currently completing his PhD (ABD) in Ethics and Public Affairs at Carleton University, where his research explores justice, legitimacy, and ethical public leadership.

Born in Trinidad and raised in Winnipeg, he brings a global perspective rooted in service and community. He is the proud father of three children, and with his wife, an advocate for the classical arts—believing that culture deepens our sense of connection, tradition, and public purpose.