Public Policy

Hon. John R. Baird P.C.
John is a Senior Business Advisor at Bennett Jones. Recognized for his influential role in bilateral trade and investment relationships, he has actively engaged in the Canada-China dialogue and strengthened ties with ASEAN countries. As a former Senior Cabinet Minister in the Government of Canada with extensive experience as Foreign Minister and other key positions, John has demonstrated his commitment to enhancing security and economic partnerships with the United States and Middle Eastern nations. John currently sits on the advisory board of Barrick Gold Corp., the corporate boards of Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited (CPKC), Canfor Corporation (as Chair), Osisko Gold Royalties, the FWD Group and PineBridge Investments.

Jane Bird
Jane is a Senior Business Advisor at Bennett Jones. She provides expertise to private and public sector clients in infrastructure project development and execution. With a remarkable career spanning 20 years, she has led major projects in transportation, power, building, and wastewater sectors. Notable achievements include the construction of the Canada Line, a significant public-private partnership rapid transit line, and the development of the Waneta Expansion Project, a hydroelectric generating station. Jane’s exceptional leadership has been recognized through prestigious awards, highlighting her influential role in the industry. Jane chairs the board of Nieuport Aviation, an investment of the Infrastructure Investments Fund, a NY infrastructure fund. She is also on the board of directors of the Canada Infrastructure Bank.

Christy Clark
Christy is a Senior Advisor at Bennett Jones. As the former Premier of British Columbia, she achieved exceptional economic growth, fiscal management, and job creation during her tenure. Under her leadership, British Columbia became Canada’s economic leader for three consecutive years. With a remarkable track record of balancing budgets and reducing public debt, Christy’s legacy is one of longterm planning and sustainable prosperity for future generations. Christy is Board Director of Shaw Communications, Chair of CN Rail’s Vancouver Community Board and Co-Chair of the Advisory Board of the Max Bell School of Private Policy.

Richard Dion
Richard is a Senior Business Advisor at Bennett Jones, specializing in economic analysis and forecasting for Canadian and international businesses. Prior to joining the firm, Richard worked as an economist for the Bank of Canada (for over 30 years in various departments), the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, and Energy, Mines and Resources Canada.

David A. Dodge O.C.
David is currently a Senior Advisor at Bennett Jones. Immediately prior to joining Bennett Jones in 2008, he served as Governor of the Bank of Canada from February 2001 to January 2008. Before that, he served in a number of senior positions at the Department of Finance including Deputy Minister from 1992 to 1997, and G7 Deputy. Since 2008, he has served on a number of corporate and not-for-profit boards and currently chairs the National Council of the C D Howe Institute.

Serge Dupont
Serge is a Senior Advisor at Bennett Jones and Head of the Public Policy group. Before joining the firm in 2018, he was a senior executive in the Government of Canada with close to 35 years of experience in economic and financial policy. Serge served in 2016-17 as Deputy Clerk of the Privy Council and Deputy Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs. Serge also served as Executive Director for Canada, Ireland and the Caribbean in the IMF; as Deputy Minister, Natural Resources Canada; and in senior positions in Finance Canada.

Edward S. Goldenberg C.M.
Eddie has a corporate practice, advising clients on governance issues, public policy and government relations in Canada and abroad. Eddie has a distinguished background working with the Government of Canada, having been the Senior Policy Advisor to the Prime Minister of Canada, the Right Honourable Jean Chretien (1993-2003) and the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff (2003). Eddie has worked in all major economic departments of the federal government and acted as Special Constitutional Advisor to the Minister of Justice from 1980-82.

Hon. Jason Kenney PC, ECA
Jason is a Senior Advisor at Bennett Jones. As the 18th Premier of Alberta, and with extensive experience in federal and provincial elected offices spanning over 25 years, he has demonstrated exceptional leadership, vision, and public policy expertise. His initiatives as Premier, such as the Alberta Recovery Plan and the Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation, have created new opportunities for economic development and investment. While serving as an MP, Jason held several key federal positions, including Minister of National Defence and Minister of Employment and Social Development. Jason serves as a Board Director for several corporations, including ATCO Ltd., Fairfax India, People’s Trust Group and CORIL Holdings.

Hon. John P. Manley P.C., O.C.
John is a Senior Business Advisor at Bennett Jones. For over a decade, he served in the federal government as Canada’s Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Finance Minister and Industry Minister. He was President and Chief Executive Officer of the Business Council of Canada (formerly the Canadian Council of Chief Executives), representing the CEOs of leading Canadian corporations. John advises clients and helps them succeed through his years of experience in government and business, and his understanding of strategic business opportunities. He is the current Chair of the Board of Directors of TELUS Corp., as well as Chair of Jefferies Financial Canada. John is past Chair of the Advisory Council of the Canadian Global Affairs Institute, CIBC, CIBC Bank USA and CAE.

Dr. Indira V. Samarasekera PhD, FRSC, FCAE, DSc, O.C.
Indira is a Senior Advisor at Bennett Jones. She is an internationally acclaimed metallurgical engineer, and brings her expertise in mining, oil and gas, and environmental matters to clients seeking advice in these fields. Indira serves on the boards of Scotiabank and Magna International, and contributes to various foundations and advisory boards, exemplifying her commitment to advancing Canada’s economic landscape.

Stephen P. Sibold KC
Stephen serves as General Counsel Emeritus to Bennett Jones. A former Fulbright Scholar, Steve has served as senior vice-president and general counsel of Canadian Airlines Corporation, chair and CEO of the Alberta Securities Commission (ASC), and chair of the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA). He has also served on the Council of Governors of the Canadian Public Accountability Board.

Lori Sterling
Lori is Senior Counsel at Bennett Jones. She most recently served as Canada’s Deputy Minister of Labour and Associate Deputy Minister, Employment, Skills Development Canada. As Deputy Minister of Indigenous Affairs, Lori helped create Ontario’s first Ministry for Indigenous peoples. Lori has also served as the Associate Deputy Minister of Justice for Canada and as the Assistant Deputy Minister for Legal Services in Ontario. She has appeared as litigation counsel at all levels, including 15 cases before the Supreme Court of Canada. Lori is a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors. She acts as a board chair at Windmill Microlending and at Pearson United World College, board director at the Spark Centre for Innovation, and chair of the Legal and Regulatory Committee of PEN Canada.

Laurie C. Wright
Laurie is a Senior Counsel at Bennett Jones. As a former senior leader with Canada’s Department of Justice, Laurie developed legal policy and law reform initiatives, and provided expert and specialized legal advice, gaining 30 years of experience in the federal government, across a broad range of issues and departments, with knowledge of specialized areas of public law and of government processes.