Conservative Leader’s Economic Growth Council Holds First Meeting

The Leader of the Official Opposition, the Hon. Pierre Poilievre, is pleased to announce the inaugural meeting of the Economic Growth Council, a national initiative to identify the root causes of Canada’s economic stagnation and propose practical, forward-looking solutions to restore prosperity.

Co-chaired by MP Greg McLean, MP Gaétan Malette and former MP Rick Perkins, the Council brings together a diverse group of leaders from across Canada’s business, labour, Indigenous, non-profit, and innovation sectors. These members have committed to developing policy proposals that will grow jobs, attract investment, and improve the standard of living for all Canadians.

The Council held its first meeting virtually on Friday, September 12, officially launching a collaborative process to shape policy recommendations that reflect Canada’s regional strengths and economic realities.

“Your commitment to identifying the policies that will move Canada’s prosperity forward, grow jobs here, and reverse the flow of investment capital back to our country represents an effort that will lead to better outcomes for all Canadians,” said Pierre Poilievre in a message to Council members.

As part of its mandate, the Council will undertake nationwide consultations with leaders in communities across Canada. These engagements will ensure that the Council’s recommendations are informed by real-world challenges and opportunities and reflect the voices of Canadians from all regions and sectors.

The Council’s work will culminate in an interim report to be presented to the Leader by January 2026, with findings to be discussed in Parliament and potentially tabled.

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For media inquiries, please contact:
Office of MP Greg McLean
greg.mclean@parl.gc.ca

Council Membership

Barry Appleton

Prof. Appleton is Managing Partner at Appleton & Associates International Lawyers LP (Toronto), Co-Director of the International Law Center at New York Law School, and Scholar and Fellow at the Balsillie School of International Affairs. A trusted advisor on international economic law, he served the Ontario Cabinet Committee during NAFTA negotiations and represented the Vancouver Board of Trade in Washington, DC for many years. Author of two NAFTA books and numerous publications on economic law and digital sovereignty, he is a regular media commentator on global trade and digital economy issues in both US and Canadian outlets, including contributions to the National Post.

Peter Armstrong

Peter R. B. Armstrong is the Founder of Major Rock Corporation (formerly Armstrong Group), which includes the Rocky Mountaineer train, Invictus Properties, a real estate holding business, Alder Bay Private Equity, and various other investments. Peter has served on numerous boards in the tourism industry, community, and public sectors. Peter recently completed his term as Chair of the Nature Trust of British Columbia and was a trustee for the Vancouver Police Foundation. In 2018, Peter was inducted into the Business Laureates of BC Hall of Fame. He has also received the Canadian Venture Capital Association’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award, Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award for Tourism and Hospitality, and the Queen’s Silver and Golden Jubilee Medal (2013) for his contribution to Canadian communities.

Stephen Beatty

Stephen Beatty has extensive experience in trade and industrial policy built during a career that spanned roles as Chief of Staff to the President of the Privy Council and later to the Minister of Justice under the Mulroney government; Executive Director of the Canadian Apparel Manufacturers’ Institute; and, more recently, as Vice President and Corporate Secretary of Toyota Canada. In each capacity, Stephen has been a consistent advocate for policies advancing Canada’s economic competitiveness. Stephen has served on various advisory boards and industry associations, including terms as Chairman of the Global Automakers of Canada and Auto21, the network of centres of excellence for the Canadian auto industry and is currently a member of the Future Skills Centre’s Resilient Workforce Working Table.

Iain Black

Iain Black is an established business leader in Vancouver who has spent decades successfully driving private and publicly traded organizations through significant change.  With a significant background as a technology CEO, he also led the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade through a critical transformation and was twice elected provincial MLA, where he was appointed to cabinet in three different economic ministries.  He is currently running his consulting practice, Black Ink Advisory, where he leverages his expertise in executive leadership & governance, organization effectiveness and strategy development.

Dana Blaquiere Norkum

Dana Blaquiere Norkum is the owner and operator of NPLH Drilling, bringing a deep understanding of the mining industry and Northern Ontario. A dedicated entrepreneur, Dana is actively involved in the Timmins community and is a strong supporter of conservative values. Family-oriented and community-minded, Dana is committed to both business growth and local engagement.

François Dion

Chief Executive Officer, Levio Conseils Inc.

Jelena Djuric

Jelena Djuric is the CEO & Co-Founder of Noble, a purpose-built stablecoin issuance protocol. Noble’s infrastructure proliferates stablecoin liquidity for asset issuers, developers and end users. She previously co-founded the Canadian Web3 Council and has served as a core contributor to a number of blockchain protocols in the Cosmos, Dfinity, and Celo ecosystems.

Alex Docherty

Alex Docherty, of Elmwood, Prince Edward Island, is the President of Skye View Farms Ltd, a seed potato farm, representing the fifth of seven generations in his family’s farming legacy. He is a co-owner of The Marinas of Charlottetown on the historic waterfront of the capital city and a shareholder in several Island businesses, including FIGR, the province’s first and only licensed cannabis production facility, and Sherwood Produce. Formerly, he co-owned and operated a transportation company for 25 years. Alex and his wife enjoy life with their two sons, two daughters-in-law, and four grandchildren.

Phil Evershed

Philip Evershed has been Managing Partner of PointNorth Capital, an advisory and investment management company since 2015. Previously, Mr. Evershed was Global Head of Investment Banking at Canaccord Genuity, a full-service financial services firm, from 2010-2015. In 2005, Mr. Evershed co-founded Genuity Capital Markets, a privately held investment bank that was sold in 2010, and prior to that, Mr. Evershed was Co-Head of Investment Banking and Head of Mergers and Acquisitions at CIBC. Prior to joining CIBC, Mr. Evershed was Chief of Staff to the Deputy Prime Minister of Canada and Minister of Privatization until 1990. Mr. Evershed received a Master of Arts in Economics from the University of Toronto in 1985 and an Honours Bachelor of Arts at the School of Business and Economics from Wilfrid Laurier University in 1983.

Guy Fournier

Guy Fournier was born in 1970 in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec. He moved with his family to Calgary, Alberta, in 1978, then to Vancouver, British Columbia, in 1984, before returning to the Montreal area in 1986. He graduated from St. Francis Xavier High School in 1987 and pursued studies at Champlain Regional College in Saint-Lambert, followed by Aviron Trade School in Montreal, where he earned a diploma in electrical construction. This training led to a career as an electrician in the construction industry.

In 2005, Guy Fournier was hired as a representative for Local 568 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) in Quebec. In 2017, he was appointed Business Manager and Financial Secretary of Local 568. For more than ten years, he has also served as a member of the National Political Action Committee for IBEW’s First District.

Koleya Karringten

As Executive Director of the Canadian Blockchain Consortium, Koleya Karringten is a recognized authority on blockchain technology, regulatory collaboration, and digital innovation. She also founded Blockchain Insurance Inc., providing specialized insurance solutions for the blockchain and digital asset sector. Since 2017, Koleya has grown the Canadian Blockchain Consortium into Canada’s largest national blockchain association, uniting corporate, academic, and government leaders to drive responsible blockchain adoption and regulatory clarity. She actively engages policymakers through summits and trade missions to advance Canada’s digital economy. A champion of inclusive leadership, Koleya serves as Chair of the Canadian Blockchain Consortium, a founding board member of NABA, and a board member of Balance.

Firdaus Kharas

Firdaus Kharas is the founder of Chocolate Moose Media. He has been a social entrepreneur and small business owner for 30 years. He has expertise in mass communications, foreign policy, multilateral affairs, international trade, innovation, cultural industries, and immigration/refugees.

Carol Leaman

Carol Leaman is an investor, mentor, and board member who recently retired as Co-founder and CEO from Axonify, one of the most successful Canadian female-led tech startups in Canada. Prior to founding Axonify fourteen years ago, Carol was the CEO of several other tech startups, each of which she successfully sold to strategic acquirers. Carol frequently speaks at conferences and has authored articles for many publications. She is an FCPA and holds a Master of Accounting from the University of Waterloo.

Lyle Loewen

Lyle is the Chief Operating Officer, at HyLife Ltd., having joined the organization in 2020. Prior to joining HyLife, Lyle was President of Eden Valley Poultry in Berwick, Nova Scotia, from 2014-2020, representing his only stint outside of Manitoba. Lyle has over 40 years of experience in the Agri-Food industry, having worked with The Puratone Corporation, Olymel, Maple Leaf Agri Farms, and as an owner / operator of a hog and Poultry production operation in Manitoba’s Interlake Region. Lyle and his wife Paula currently reside in Manitoba’s Interlake and have 3 grown children and 2 grandchildren.

Christie Love Thomas

Christie Love Thomas is Vice President of Strategy and Board Member at Jona Capital. She oversees asset allocation, external portfolio managers as well as a portfolio of private equity investments. Prior to joining Jona Capital, Christie was in Institutional Equity Sales with UBS in Paris and London. She holds the ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors, an MBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business and an BA (Hons.) from Huron University College.

Tony Makuch

Mr. Makuch is a seasoned mining executive with over 45 years of industry experience, currently serving as President and CEO of Discovery Silver Corp. He joined Discovery in 2022 following a transformative tenure as CEO of Kirkland Lake Gold, where he oversaw a significant increase in annual gold production, market capitalization, and share price. Previously, Mr. Makuch was President and CEO of Lake Shore Gold Inc. which he started in 2008 as a junior exploration company, until its acquisition by Tahoe Resources in 2016 for $1Billion. Prior to Lake Shore Gold, he served as Chief Operating Officer for FNX Mining Company. He has also held senior leadership roles at Dynatec Corporation and Kinross Gold and has a successful track record with new project construction, mine operations, expansion and mineral exploration in United States, Australia, Mexico and South America. Mr. Makuch is a Professional Engineer (P.Eng) and holds a BSc in Applied Earth Sciences from the University of Waterloo, as well as MSc in Engineering and MBA degrees from Queen’s University. He also holds the ICD.D designation from the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management.

Victoria Mancinelli

Director of Public Relations, Marketing and Strategic Partnerships, LiUNA. The Labourers International Union of North America, representing over 160 000 Members who build, connect and strengthen Canada.

Susan McArthur

Susan McArthur is a corporate director with extensive experience in financial services. 

Mark McQueen

Mark McQueen has worked in the financial services industry since 1993, following five years on Parliament Hill. He led the growth of Wellington Financial LP from its inception to becoming one of Canada’s largest and most active venture funds at the time. Following CIBC’s acquisition of Wellington in 2018, his Innovation Banking group committed $10 billion to hundreds of different Canadian, American, and UK-based entrepreneurial start-ups and funds in the technology, life science, and clean tech sectors. Currently a Director of Algoma Central and Metrolinx, Mr. McQueen previously served as Chairman of the Toronto Port Authority as well as the inaugural Chairman of the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority.

Jack Mintz

Dr. Jack M. Mintz is the President’s Fellow of the School of Public Policy at the University of Calgary after serving as the Palmer Chair and founding Director from 2008 to 2015. He is currently chair of the Alberta Advanced Education panel on “Post-Secondary Education Funding and Alberta’s Competitiveness.” He is a board member of Mackenzie Health, the Canada West Foundation, and the Aristotle Foundation for Public Policy. Dr. Mintz is also a Distinguished Senior Fellow with the MacDonald-Laurier Institute, Senior Fellow at the C.D. Howe Institute, and research fellow at the International Tax and Investment Centre in Washington D.C., CESIfo Germany, and Oxford’s Centre of Business Taxation. He regularly writes for the Financial Post as a weekly contributor. Dr. Mintz became a member of the Order of Canada in 2015 as well as receiving the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012 and the Queen Elizabeth Platinum Medal in 2023.

Mike Nasser

Michael Nasser is the Co-Founder of Satstreet Inc., which operates one of Canada’s leading trading desks for private clients and corporations transacting in Bitcoin and digital assets. With over eight years of industry experience, Michael has facilitated billions of dollars in digital asset transactions and is widely regarded as a trusted leader in the space. He is also a partner in a digital asset venture fund and an active contributor to Canada’s innovation and fintech ecosystem.

Andrew Oland

Andrew Oland is the co-owner, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Moosehead Breweries Limited. He is the sixth-generation member of his family to lead the Oland brewing business started by his great-great-great grandmother Susannah Oland in 1867. Andrew received his business degree from Old Dominion University in Norfolk Virginia, and his MBA from Harvard Business School. Andrew currently serves as Chair of the Beer Canada Board of Directors, Vice Chair of the Riverside Country Club, and Director of Stanfield’s and United Way Maritimes Board of Directors. Andrew and his wife Leslie reside in Rothesay, New Brunswick.

Ted Pickell

Ted Pickell is the CEO and founder of Arctic Construction and Stewart World Port. A family tragedy triggered Ted’s start in business at the early age of 15. Spanning 70 years Ted has pioneered projects in Canada’s North and three other continents. His ambitious spirit earned him the Earnst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Reward in 2012. Ted’s construction accomplishments are vast and include complete mine builds, pioneering roads in the oil and gas, pulp mill construction, and even a hotel overseas, just to list a few. Ted loves the Canadian North and still makes his home Fort St John BC. Ted has a hands-on style and is equally comfortable in a board room negotiating a contract or in the forest talking to an equipment operator about his next move. Most days you will find Ted in the Arctic Construction Office planning his next business adventure.

Leo Power

Leo Power is a Director of Q2 Metals Corp., an exploration and development company advancing a lithium project in James Bay, Quebec. He is focussed on natural resource opportunities in Eastern Canada including mining, natural gas, and LNG for export. He is a graduate of the Kellogg- Schulich Joint MBA program at York University and Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. He also received a Master of Oil and Gas Studies (MOGS) from Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador. Leo is a member of the Atlantic Canada Ambassadors Council, Fraser Institute and co-founded the NL Chapter of the Institute of Corporate Directors.

Olivier Primeau

Chief Executive Officer, Midway Group

John Risley

Chief Executive Officer, CFFI Ventures Inc.

Mike Rose

Michael Rose, a geologist, has more than 47 years of experience in the oil and natural gas industry.  He began his career at Shell Canada in 1979, where he was employed for 14 years.  He has subsequently founded four companies, Berkley Petroleum Corp. in 1993 which was sold to Anadarko in 2001, Duvernay Oil Corp. in 2001 which was sold to Shell Canada in 2008, Tourmaline Oil Corp in 2008, and Topaz Energy in 2019.  

Tourmaline went public in November 2010 and is now Canada’s largest natural gas and ngl producer, producing over 650,000 boepd. Mr. Rose is President, CEO and Chairman of Tourmaline.

Mr. Rose was awarded the Stanley Slipper Gold Medal Award by the CSPG, a lifetime achievement award in 2021 by the World Oil Council, the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal by the Province of Alberta in 2022, T. Patrick Boyle award by the Fraser institute in 2023, and was recognized in 2023 as Canada’s Outstanding CEO of the Year.

John Ruffolo

John Ruffolo is the Founder and Managing Partner of Maverix Private Equity; a firm focused on growth-stage investments in technology-enabled companies. Widely recognized as a champion of Canadian innovation, he has played a pivotal role in shaping the country’s entrepreneurial ecosystem through strategic investments and thought leadership.

Chris Sankey

Chris has dedicated his life to helping indigenous communities collaborate by encouraging them to embrace their traditional knowledge, implement best business practices and provide solutions. Chris is the Principal at Blackfish Enterprise and a Senior Advisor to the energy, investment, and infrastructure industries. He provides strategic advice and planning to companies engaging Indigenous Communities, Industry, and Government. He was one of four negotiators for the $36 billion-dollar Pacific North West LNG project. Chris was part of a team that negotiated the first ever indigenous led environmental assessment framework agreement that became policy for both government and industry. Chris was instrumental in starting and facilitating the first ever Indigenous led Emergency Response and Marine Safety Table on the North Coast-Haida Gwaii of British Columbia.

Terry Skiffington

Terry Skiffington is currently the CEO of Kap Paper Inc based in Northern Ontario. Terry has worked in the forest sector for 37 years, including as an operations executive with experience in Canada, France, New Zealand, and Egypt. He holds an engineering degree from UBC and MBA from Queens University.

Arnie Stadnick

Arnie Stadnick was born in Swan River, Manitoba and raised in Saskatoon where he completed his formal education. He later moved to Edmonton in 1982 where he joined Boilermakers Local 146 and completed his apprenticeship. In 2011, Arnie was elected Business Manager/Secretary Treasurer for L146 and re-elected in 2013. In 2015, he joined the ranks of Boilermakers International and served as an International Representative. In 2019, Arnie was elected as International Brotherhood of Boilermakers Vice President for Canada, then re-elected in 2021. Arnie currently reside in Edmonton with his wife and three children.

Rob Steele

Chief Executive Officer, Steele Auto Group

Andrew Tarr

As Business Manager of HVACR Workers of Ontario (UA Local 787), a Union that represents 5300 members in the province of Ontario, Andrew Tarr manages the Labour Relations and serves as a Pension, Benefit and Joint Union/Employer Training Trust Fund Trustee.
Prior to being elected as a Union Representative, Andrew worked as a Red Seal Licensed 313 A Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Systems Mechanic and as an Instructor teaching apprentices and gas fitters.

Terry Tyson

Terry Tyson is President of Grain Millers Canada and Vice President of Oat Milling Operations for Grain Millers, Inc. A seasoned agri-business leader with deep Saskatchewan roots, Terry has spent 30 years advancing Canada’s grain and oat sectors. After early roles in grain trading and merchandising, he joined Grain Millers Canada in 2001 and led the transformation of its sourcing model from trade-supplied to producer-direct, positioning the company as a trusted connection between global food brands and Prairie growers. Over this time, Grain Millers has significantly expanded its footprint, modernized operations, and deepened its commitment to sustainable sourcing and stakeholder engagement. Terry lives in Yorkton, SK with his wife Dana and their two children.

Kimberley Van Vliet

Kimberley Van Vliet is the Founder and CEO of ConvergX®, the global congress that bridges the gap between defence, energy, aerospace, mining, agriculture, space, military, construction, manufacturing, medicine, and technology sectors, and the Founder and CEO of WāVv, a firm advancing cross-sector solutions into the aforementioned industries. She also serves as an Industry Advisor to NATO as part of the Canadian Delegation to the NATO Industrial Advisory group. With more than 20 years of experience in business and international market engagement, Kimberley has built a career creating pathways for collaboration between industry, government, and academia. She is widely regarded for her ability to convene senior decision-makers across sectors, helping organizations navigate complex ecosystems while driving economic and strategic outcomes.

Prem Watsa

Prem Watsa is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited, a holding company which, through its subsidiaries, is engaged in property and casualty insurance and reinsurance and the associated investment management.  In 1985 Prem took control of Markel Financial which was controlled by the Virginia based Markel family.  In 1987 he then re‐organized and renamed it Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited.  He has served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer since its inception.  He is a member of the Sick Children’s Hospital Foundation and is Chairman of their Investment Committee, member of the Advisory Board for the Richard Ivey School of Business, and Chairman of the Investment Committee of St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Toronto.  He is on the Board of Horatio Alger Association U.S. and President of Horatio Alger Association of Canada.  He is on the Board of Fairfax India. He is the Chancellor of Huron University College at the University of Western Ontario and formerly Chancellor of the University of Waterloo. He is a recipient of the Order of Canada.

Marcus Zwicker

Chief Operating Officer, Freeman Lumber