Canadian Business for Climate Policy

David McGown has worked in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors focusing on the development and execution of public and regulatory policy. As its first Executive Director, David recently launched the Canadian Business Coalition for Climate Policy, a business voice advocating for consistent and effective climate policy.

At the Insurance Bureau of Canada as SVP, climate and catastrophic risk were at the centre of his efforts. He brings expertise in adaptation, resilience and emergency response practices from the perspective of the insurance and financial sector and expertise on resource development and the environment. At CIBC, he worked as Vice President, Public Affairs, Vice President of Corporate Development and Vice President of Administration & Corporate Development, INTRIA Items. He worked as economist and speechwriter at Queen’s Park, and for the Department of Finance in Ottawa, as an economist, as Special Assistant to the Minister of Finance and EA to the Deputy Minister of Finance. 

David was Chair of JAZZ.FM91 and was President of the Couchiching Institute on Public Affairs.  He has served as a board member of the Toronto Financial Services Alliance and sat on the Advisory Board of the Canada Institute at the Woodrow Wilson Center. He received the Queen’s Jubilee Medal in 2013 in recognition of his volunteer activities. 

David holds a BA from the University of Western Ontario and an MA from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. David is married, has four grown children, has two unruly Bouviers, plays guitar and sings with Choir!Choir!Choir!