David McGown

Biography:

David brings extensive expertise in financial and strategic planning, policy, regulation, and public affairs, drawing on more than three decades of experience across the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors. His career began as a political assistant, economist, and speechwriter for the government caucus at Queen’s Park. As an economist with the Department of Finance in Ottawa, he worked in international economics, which led to roles as Legislative Assistant to a Minister of Finance and later as EA to the Finance Deputy Minister.  

As Vice President at CIBC, he worked in corporate development and public affairs, guiding teams to improve the effectiveness of the bank’s technology and operations environments and to resolve complex legislative, regulatory, and public affairs challenges. At the Insurance Bureau of Canada, he led policy development on tax and regulatory initiatives for Canada’s P&C industry.  

David co-founded Canadian Business for Climate Policy in 2020, establishing a business voice to advocate for stable and effective climate policy at all levels of government. As a corporate advisor, he collaborates with Canadian and international clients on strategic planning, economic development, climate finance, and disaster finance engagements. He serves as Senior Advisor with Momentus, a west coast-based consultancy specializing in international development, and as Senior Advisor at Strategy Corp Inc (SCI), focused on the financial and energy sectors.  

David was Chair of JAZZ.FM91 and President of the Couchiching Institute on Public Affairs. He served on the board of the Toronto Financial Services Alliance and the Advisory Board of the Canada Institute – Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington, DC. He currently serves on the Industry Advisory Council for Ontario’s International Business University. He received the 2013 Queen’s Jubilee Medal for his volunteer engagement.  

David holds a BA from Western University and an MA from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. He is the author of two policy options perspectives on climate & emissions and on the re-regulation of the province’s wine, beer, and spirits industries for Ontario 360. He recently co-authored a study on the effects of Trump’s tariff policy on US employment at SCI.