Review Head

The Hon. David L. Emerson P.C, O.B.C.

Mr. Emerson has had a wide-ranging career spanning more than 40 years in the public and private sectors, and as a Member of Parliament and Cabinet Minister.

Mr. Emerson began his career at the Economic Council of Canada in 1972. He joined the Government of British Columbia in 1975, where he held various senior policy positions including Deputy Minister of Finance, Secretary to Treasury Board, Deputy Minister to the Premier and Secretary to Cabinet.

In 1986, Mr. Emerson moved to the private sector and became the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Western and Pacific Bank of Canada. Following a merger, he became Chairman and CEO of Canadian Western Bank. In 1992, he served as the President and CEO of the Vancouver International Airport Authority, and then became President and CEO of Canfor Corporation in 1998.

Mr. Emerson was first elected to the House of Commons in 2004 and was named Minister of Industry. He was re-elected in 2006 and served as Minister of International Trade with responsibility for the 2010 Winter Olympics and the Pacific Gateway Initiative. In 2008, he was named Minister of Foreign Affairs. He retired from elected office in October 2008.

Since leaving public office, Mr. Emerson has continued his work in the public and private sectors. From 2009 to 2011 he was the Chair of the Alberta Premier's Council for Economic Strategy. Mr. Emerson currently sits on several private-sector boards of directors and since 2009 he has been Co-Chair of the Prime Minister's Advisory Committee on the Public Service.

Mr. Emerson attended the University of Alberta where he obtained his bachelor's and master's degrees in economics. He obtained his doctorate in economics at Queen's University in 1975.