April 21, 2011 – William Robson, President and Chief Executive Officer of the C.D. Howe Institute, today announced the appointment of the Hon. Michael H. Wilson as Chair of the Institute's International Economic Policy Council.
“Ambassador Wilson is one of Canada’s pre-eminent authorities on international and economic issues,” said Mr. Robson. “His wide experience in both the private and public sectors – most notably in his federal Finance, Industry, and International Trade portfolios, and as Ambassador to the United States – make him ideal to Chair this Council, which will spearhead our policy work on Canada’s international economic relations and their impact on Canada’s business environment and Canadians’ standard of living.”
Mr. Robson said the Institute’s International Economic Policy Council will convene leading experts, policymakers and decision-makers to advise on and review policy research critical to Canadian international policy. Daniel Schwanen, who joined the Institute as Associate Vice President, International and Trade Policy earlier this year, manages its International Economic Policy Program.
“Our aim is to produce practical advice for the conduct of Canada’s external economic policies in the modern age, including the strategy underlying trade and investment agreements, Canada’s participation in various international economic bodies, Canada’s links in North America and overseas, and how Canadians can increase the benefits they reap from cross-border activities,” said Mr. Robson.
Mr. Wilson is the Chairman of Barclays Capital Canada Inc. Based in Toronto, Mr. Wilson manages Barclays Capital’s client relationships in Canada.
Previously, Mr. Wilson was Ambassador of Canada to the United States from 2006 through 2009.
Prior to taking up his Ambassadorship, Mr. Wilson was Chairman of UBS Canada, an operating division of UBS AG. Prior to joining UBS in 2001, Mr. Wilson was responsible for RBC Financial Group's institutional asset management business and served as a Vice Chairman of RBC Dominion Securities.
In 1979, Mr. Wilson was elected to the House of Commons. In 1984 he was appointed Minister of Finance and remained in that position until 1991. He then became Minister of Industry, Science and Technology and Minister for International Trade.
Prior to his career in public life, Ambassador Wilson's career was in investment banking with responsibilities in corporate, government and international finance where he was the Director of a number of companies including BP P.L.C. and Manulife Financial.
Mr. Wilson is a Companion of the Order of Canada, and has honorary degrees from the University of Toronto, York University, and Trinity College.
The C.D. Howe Institute is widely regarded as Canada’s leading independent, non-profit, public policy research organization. Its goal is to improve Canadian living standards by fostering sound economic and social policy. Now in its sixth decade, the Institute is at the forefront of public policy debates in Canada, confronting policy challenges with clear, innovative thinking and reasoned solutions. Its record of deep policy impact is built on a history of thought-leadership through research and events of the highest calibre.
William B.P. Robson
President and CEO
C.D. Howe Institute
Phone: 416-865-1904; Fax 416-865-1866
Media contact: James Fleming. 416-865-1904